What makes your body crave sugar?

Great question.

I'd like to break the answer down into two sections:

What makes your body crave sugar (Part 1).

And what makes your mind crave sugar (Part 2).

With regards to the body

Sugar gets broken down to glucose so we can use it for energy.

And glucose is the primary source of energy for our bodies.

(for all the keto fans, we'll do a separate post for fat-adapted diets.)

Our bodies need glucose.

However, our bodies don't necessarily need sugar.

We can get glucose from just about any food source - especially fruits and vegetables.

However, most of us end up consuming extra hidden sugars from processed foods.

Here is a list of foods that are high in sugar which you may not have realised:

- Ketchup (one tablespoon of ketchup has one teaspoon of sugar)

- Marinades (alternative - herbs, spices, lemon)

- Yoghurt (alternative - plain greek yoghurt)

- Cereal (alternative - steel cut oats)

- Snack and Protein Bars (alternative - nuts or an actual meal)

- Salad dressing (alternative - combine vinegar or lemon juice, olive oil and herbs)

- Low-fat anything (companies usually substitute fats with sugars)

Key Takeaway

You don't need sugar but you do need glucose. You don't need to go out of your way to get this though. Almost all fruits and vegetables have naturally occurring sugars.

With regards to the mind

Our bodies don't need as much sugar as our emotions do.

You read that right.

Most people use sugar as a way to deal with certain emotions.

Whether it be boredom.

Or loneliness.

Beyond that, many people consider sugar as the 'forbidden fruit'.

As soon as we label foods as 'good' and 'bad', we get drawn to the 'bad' foods.

You restrict by pushing away 'bad' foods.

And that ends up being the very reason why you have cravings and go on binge eating episodes.

Understanding the inner workings of your mind takes a level of self-awareness.

But if you're on a path to raising your awareness and consciousness, you will start reducing the need for sugar to deal with your emotions.

Key Takeaway

Stop labelling food as 'good' or 'bad' and build awareness to why you're getting drawn to certain foods.

Bonus #1: Sleep

If you're sleeping less than you need to, research has showed that your body has a tendency to crave sugars and energy-dense processed foods.

Key Takeaway

Prioritise sleep. It has significant impact on your sugar cravings for the next day.

Bonus #2: Mentally exhaustive activities

Our brain predominantly runs on sugar. If you're doing activities where you're exerting a lot of mental effort (i.e. work projects, assignment), you'll tend to reach out for sugar hits.

However, this will create a cycle of having highs and lows of energy rather than sustained energy levels.

Key Takeaway

Your mind will function at its peak if you take time to rest your mind and have sustained energy levels (i.e. meditation, mindfulness, journaling, or whatever gets you out of your mind).

About the Author - Kern Kapoor

Kern's interest in psychology and human behaviour lead him to lose 34kg. He is a Certified Nutrition Coach (Pn2) and is currently on a mission is to create a community of 10,000 people who have undergone long-term body transformation.

If you'd like some one-on-one help with your weight loss goals, get in touch with him at kern@bodyknowsbest.net.