More Info On Sweet Relief

Its three oclock in the afternoon and your fingers are starting to slip off the keyboard

. Would anyone notice if you slid off the chair too? Rather than risk being sacked for napping, you head to the vending machine and walk away with a chocolate bar. Problem is, its not long before your energy levels crash for the second time.

Sugar cravings creep up on us when the blood glucose level is low and our body cells and brains cells need sugar to keep functioning, explains Sydney naturopath Alison Bull. An essential nutrient for body cells, sugar is the only food the brain will accept as fuel.

Among the most common times for cravings is mid-afternoon and following an evening meal. Many people have a habit of eating dessert and feel like something is missing if they don't eat sweets after their meals, says Bull. Alternatively, the desire for sweet treats often coincides with experiencing emotional ups and downs or with hormonal changes that accompany womens menstrual cycles.

Just as common are sugar cravings brought on by dieting. When we diet to lose weight, we often reduce our overall food intake. This can result in hypoglycaemia which has symptoms such as sugar cravings, fatigue, and increased appetite, Bull says. Most good programs for dieting include increases in exercise too. Intensive exercise can lead to an increased requirement for nutrients needed for sugar metabolism, such as chromium and B2, which may further exacerbate hypoglycaemia.

Her suggestions for crushing cravings? Rather than seeking solace in chocolate bars or soft drinks, turn your attention to complex carbohydrates or low GI (glycaemic index) foods. High GI foods have the effect of a giving a pick-up if we are feeling low - this is part of their attraction. Scientists believe this may have something to do with brain chemicals that are stimulated when we eat sugary foods. However, the pick-up doesnt last long: more often than not, its followed by a crash. When the blood sugar levels arent balanced, we experience a feeling of low energy and lethargy, Bull points out.

The ideal source of sugars is from complex carbohydrates, as these are digested slowly and let into the blood stream gradually, she says. The slow release and breakdown of sugar allows for a steady supply of glucose to body cells, reducing the hunger stimulated by low blood sugar.

Bulls tips for showing sugar cravings the door...

Love low GI foods

Eating foods that have low GI rating is one of the best ways to control appetite and help with sugar cravings. The GI is a rating of how quickly the sugars in foods enter the blood stream. Foods that have a low GI lead to a steady release of energy from food, which increases the feeling of fullness and encourages fat burning.

Understand the beast

Being aware of why the cravings occur is essential. It could be that you are emotionally upset and need some support or simply that you feel deprived from restricting your food intake in an attempt to lose weight.

Supplement your health

If you have a high sugar diet, supplementing nutrients that help control blood glucose levels can assist in reducing cravings.

by: Tony Uechtritz

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