Carbohydrate Addiction: How To Beat Cravings
When you are diving into the ketogenic diet, you may find yourself experiencing carbohydrate cravings. This comes from your body essentially being addicted to those refined sugars that it is so used to consuming. Your body is used to getting its supply of energy from your consumption of carbs, and suddenly it is experiencing a drop in that intake. Like any extreme change, the body needs time to adjust to what is happening. Eventually your body will shift to the ketogenic way, but this will take time and persistence. Your body is probably going to push you incessantly to consume what it is so used to (and addicted to). To help you beat those cravings, we have compiled a list of helpful tips to get through.
Stay Full- It is important to keep your body feeling well fueled, so that is can adjust quicker to the new changes. Consuming a fair amount of protein and a high amount of fats, will help curb those pesky cravings. When your body feels sufficiently full it will help keep the cravings to a minimum. Starving yourself is not going to help you adjust well to the ketogenic diet. Cutting out carbs is the most important part, cutting calories is not necessary.
Drink Water- Drinking plenty of water is of course necessary for everyone who is trying to stay healthy. But for someone on a low carb diet it is completely vital. When your body is burning fat for energy it increases the amount of water that your body needs. Sometimes when you are feeling cravings, it is because your body simply needs more water.
Stay Active- Exercise is something that raises your body’s serotonin levels, much like sugar. This will help reduce your body’s carb cravings, replacing those cravings with a much healthier alternative.
Consider Supplements- Certain supplements can help suppress your body’s sugar cravings.
Be Careful with Artificial Sweeteners- Artificial sweeteners may not contain carbs, but they may have an effect on your body’s cravings. Since your brain tastes that similar sweet flavor, it is preparing itself for its old sugar friend to return. When your body does not receive that sugar it is waiting for, it can often jump start more intense cravings. It is important to be prepared for this potential struggle if you do decide to use artificial sweeteners.
Stay Rested- Lacking in sleep is never good when you are experiencing cravings. If your body is tired it may end up causing your more powerful cravings, since your body is hoping for a quick energy fix. Making sure to get enough good sleep is a great way to diminish your cravings.
Have Food Prepared- Sticking to a specific meal plan is often very helpful in keeping the cravings away. Staying full is an important factor and if you have your meals planned out that helps you avoid poor last minute decisions. Having easy high fat meals and snacks prepared can help you keep your cravings in check.
Permanently lowering your carbohydrate intake is the only true way to get rid of those cravings. Over time your body will adjust to the changes and you will begin to leave those cravings behind you. Once you have adjusted to burning fat instead of carbs to get your energy, your body will definitely thank you. Many people find that once they have adjusted to the ketogenic diet, they don’t feel any sugary cravings at all.