Why Do I HaveThese Cravings!

What causes food CRAVINGS?

Possible causes of food cravings: hormonal imbalance, weight loss resistance, adrenal imbalance

Does it seem as if food cravings control your life? Cravings are not the same as just feeling hungry. Instead, you feel driven to have a chocolate chip cookie every afternoon, or you crave a glass of wine after work. Salty foods and late-night snacks can get to be a habit too.

The majority of women have food cravings especially for sugary, “simple” carbohydrates, salty foods, and alcohol  and many of us feel powerless against them. But when you “give in” to the desire to eat sugar or drink alcohol, you can be consumed by guilt and remorse.

The word “cravings” is not code for lack of willpower. In many women, cravings are signs of hormonal issues, which are often tied to inadequate nutrition. But cravings can also be related to attempts to lose weight, especially if you have metabolic or physiological imbalances that make it very difficult to drop excess pounds. Some of these imbalances even involve the neurotransmitters in your brain. A third option traces cravings to issues with adrenal function.

Cravings mean that the body has its signals mixed up. When you are tired or sad, you will have low blood sugar and/or low serotonin (a “feel-good” brain neurotransmitter). Hormonal imbalance or weak digestion can lead to low serotonin. Low blood sugar or low serotonin sends a signal to the brain that it needs a pick-me-up. It is this signal which you don’t consciously control that causes a craving for sugar or carbohydrates.

Sugar or simple carbohydrates help release a burst of serotonin, so you feel good for a little while. Here's the kicker! Almost as quickly, you “crash” and return to your low-serotonin state, and the cycle starts all over again. Ironically, the more sugar you eat, the more you crave it because over-consumption of sugar can lead to insulin resistance. It’s a downward spiral that dieting will make it worse!

Which profile best describes your experience with cravings as a symptom?

• Cravings and hormonal imbalance. Cravings can be associated with your menstrual cycle, especially when they occur at predictable intervals. If you also experience depression, irritability, or mood swings  all common with hormonal fluctuation your cravings may be connected to hormonal imbalance. A lack of healthy nutrition is frequently linked to hormonal imbalance and can cause cravings because you’re not getting consistent quality “fuel” lean protein, enough fiber, complex carbohydrates, essential fats, and valuable micronutrients.


• Cravings and weight loss. When you’re trying to lose weight, you may be nearly overcome with the urge to eat carbs and sweets. If you have tried many different methods to lose weight, without success, your cravings may well be wrapped into the issue of weight loss resistance. Underlying imbalances related to your metabolism can cause you to hold onto weight even while you are actively trying to get rid of it, and cravings often accompany this process.


• Cravings and adrenal imbalance: If you have cravings and are under stress, feel anxious, or you have insomnia, it can be related to your adrenal function, specifically a type of imbalance that can lead to exhaustion. You may notice that you need caffeine to wake up, and you crave sweets, salty foods, and more caffeine during the day then carbohydrates or alcohol at night. You may also experience other adrenal imbalance symptoms, including deep fatigue and unexplained weight gain.