Carbohydrate Cravings and the Atkins diet
There
are many signs of physical carbohydrate cravings. You will experience a
compelling hunger for carbohydrate rich foods. Overtime, you will develop a
growing need for starches, snack foods and sweets. Additionally, you may
experience cravings and weight gain after using some of the carbohydrate
act-a-likes such as sugar substitutes and alcohol.
High
carbohydrate foods are everywhere, which makes the cravings even harder to
overcome. Eating the high-sugar, refined starch foods will feed your cravings and
create more, much like a drug habit. In fact, high levels of carbohydrates
produce high levels of the brain chemical seratonin, which is the chemical
found in Prozac and other anti-depressants. So eating high levels of
carbohydrates is self-medicating. People with low levels of seratonin are prone
to using carbohydrates like a drug.
Tension
and stress can also lead to overeating carbohydrate-laden foods. When we are
tense, the adrenal gland creates more cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that
stimulates production of a brain chemical that causes carbohydrate cravings. It
also stimulates insulin, which leads to blood sugar dips and more fat storage.
Considering
all of these factors, it may seem impossible to live on a low-carbohydrate
diet. However, following the Atkins plan is one of the best ways to break the
cycle of carbohydrate addiction and take back your life and your health. The
Atkins plan helps you take control of your cravings and rid yourself of years
of damage caused by eating too many carbohydrates.
While
on the Atkins diet, you may experience some carbohydrate cravings from time to
time, especially during the initial phases of the diet. However, these will
lessen as your body becomes more used to eating a protein-centered diet. In
order to keep your cravings in check, eat small meals or snacks that contain
protein every few hours. This will keep your blood sugars stable and avoid the
“crash” you feel when you go hungry. Skipping meals will cause drops in blood
sugar and leave you craving sweets.
Protein
and fat, which are the focus of the Atkins plan, will give your body extended
energy. Make sure you are getting enough levels of the essential fats.
Sometimes an Omega 3 fish oil supplement will help stave off carbohydrate
cravings.
Cravings
for foods can sometimes be caused by dehydration. It’s a good rule of thumb to
drink a glass of water before reaching for any type of snack. Sometimes thirst
can mask itself as hunger. When your body is properly hydrated, it will run
more efficiently and you will see a decrease in cravings.
Recognize
that there is a physical addiction to carbohydrates that will need to be
broken. Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed with cravings for carbs after the
first few days on the plan. This is normal. Your body is used to running on a
diet full of sugar and carbohydrates. It will take some time to adjust to this
new way of eating. Normally, these feelings don’t last more than the two-week
induction period. Stay committed to this new way of eating and you will see the
benefits quickly.
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