Cravings are triggered by biological properties of the foods themselves, in other words some foods have a chemical makeup that cause us to crave them in much the same was as drugs, alcohol and tobacco which have an addictive component. Only some foods though lend themselves to cravings and these foods are enticing to most people, not just people with type 2 diabetes.
Many people with type 2 diabetes crave sugar and chocolate ... now these do trigger a biochemical effect similar to those of addictive drugs. They are certainly not as strong or as dangerous as drugs but the addiction chemistry seems to be at work here!
1. Sugar does not just taste sweet, it also has a very mild drug like effect. It affects your brain in a similar way to the opiate drugs ... morphine and heroin. Sugar does not contain opiates, the taste triggers the release of opiates in your brain and then another chemical dopamine, which is the key to your brain's pleasure center, is released. So the effect of sugar on your brain is it eases pain and discomfort and gives you a boost.
You don't have to crave sugar itself; you can crave fresh white bread or bagels, crackers, or potatoes ... high-GI foods that turn to sugar very quickly. You don't normally crave low-GI foods.
2. Chocolate contains caffeine, theobromine and phenylethylamine which are all stimulants, as well as sugar. So the attraction to chocolate is not just due to sweetness. Unfortunately chocolate also contains a considerable amount of fat.
These substitutes will help give you the taste:
If your crave sugar:
Many people with type 2 diabetes crave sugar and chocolate ... now these do trigger a biochemical effect similar to those of addictive drugs. They are certainly not as strong or as dangerous as drugs but the addiction chemistry seems to be at work here!
1. Sugar does not just taste sweet, it also has a very mild drug like effect. It affects your brain in a similar way to the opiate drugs ... morphine and heroin. Sugar does not contain opiates, the taste triggers the release of opiates in your brain and then another chemical dopamine, which is the key to your brain's pleasure center, is released. So the effect of sugar on your brain is it eases pain and discomfort and gives you a boost.
You don't have to crave sugar itself; you can crave fresh white bread or bagels, crackers, or potatoes ... high-GI foods that turn to sugar very quickly. You don't normally crave low-GI foods.
2. Chocolate contains caffeine, theobromine and phenylethylamine which are all stimulants, as well as sugar. So the attraction to chocolate is not just due to sweetness. Unfortunately chocolate also contains a considerable amount of fat.
These substitutes will help give you the taste:
If your crave sugar:
- in recipes: maple syrup, molasses, sucanat may help. These are certainly not healthy foods but the idea is to replace refined sugar with a smaller amount of syrup or juice.
- stevia is a herbal sweetener and is available in health food stores
- cocoa powered is defatted chocolate and can be used in cooking and for beverages
- if you like chocolate ice-cream why not try low-fat frozen ice cream substitutes
- the more refined sugar you eat, the more you crave
- the easiest way not to crave is to not eat ANY sweets or refined sugars, including white flour, potatoes, etc. The best idea is to not buy them or keep any of them in your house
You will find the longer you are away from sugary foods, the less you will want them. Eating a healthy breakfast and not skipping meals will also help prevent cravings. Cravings have a tendency to kick in when you are hungry.
To download a free copy of my E-Book, click here now: Answers to Your Questions ... it's based on questions diabetics have asked me over recent months.
Beverleigh Piepers is a registered nurse who would like to help you understand how to live easily and happily with your type 2 diabetes.
To download a free copy of my E-Book, click here now: Answers to Your Questions ... it's based on questions diabetics have asked me over recent months.
Beverleigh Piepers is a registered nurse who would like to help you understand how to live easily and happily with your type 2 diabetes.
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