Tag

Cravings

All articles tagged with #cravings

Sweet Tooth, Stable Taste: Science Says Cut the Fear, Not the Sugar
health23 days ago

Sweet Tooth, Stable Taste: Science Says Cut the Fear, Not the Sugar

A 2025 randomized trial (The Sweet Tooth Trial) found that six months of low-, regular-, or high-sweetness exposure did not change participants’ preference for sweetness or health markers. Cravings aren’t eliminated by restriction; explanations include sensory adaptation, blood sugar stabilization, and psychological factors. The takeaway is to stop trying to biohack away your sweetness and instead adopt a balanced approach: ensure adequate protein and fiber, avoid treating sugar as forbidden, and enjoy sweets in moderation as part of a nourishing diet.

"Urge Surfing: Mastering Self-Control"
health-and-wellness1 year ago

"Urge Surfing: Mastering Self-Control"

Urge surfing is a mindfulness technique that helps manage cravings by visualizing them as waves that rise, crest, and fall. By recognizing, observing, visualizing, and returning to the present, individuals can regain control over their responses to temptation, promoting resilience and healthier coping mechanisms. While urge surfing can be integrated into daily life, it should not replace professional care for severe withdrawal symptoms or medical emergencies related to addiction.

"Ozempic: Quieting Loud Desires"
health-and-science2 years ago

"Ozempic: Quieting Loud Desires"

A study conducted by Marco Leyton, PhD, at McGill University in Canada, involving cocaine and a special protein shake, revealed that a lack of phenylalanine in the shake decreased participants' craving for cocaine without affecting the drug's euphoric effects. This sheds light on the brain's wanting system and the distinction between liking and wanting. GLP-1 drugs, primarily used for diabetes and weight loss, are showing potential in reducing cravings for substances like alcohol, nicotine, and opioids by tapping into the brain's reward system. These drugs seem to quiet the wanting mind while leaving liking intact, offering hope for addressing addiction and overeating.

"Reducing Sugar Intake for Better Health: Practical Tips and Insights"
health-and-nutrition2 years ago

"Reducing Sugar Intake for Better Health: Practical Tips and Insights"

Cutting back on sugar in your diet is important for overall health, as excessive sugar consumption can lead to various health issues. To reduce sugar intake, it's recommended to train your palate to enjoy less sweetness, refrain from adding sugar to tea and coffee, avoid "low-fat" foods that are often high in added sugars, reduce sugar from processed foods by checking nutrition labels, and be cautious of "healthy" snack foods that may contain high sugar levels. Additionally, incorporating fiber-rich snacks like peanut butter dates, Greek yogurt with berries, dark chocolate with peanuts, sweet and salty popcorn, and wholegrain toast with mashed banana and cinnamon can help satisfy sugar cravings without causing a significant blood sugar spike.

"Mastering Mindful Eating: The Key to Breaking the Cycle of Binge Eating"
health-and-wellness2 years ago

"Mastering Mindful Eating: The Key to Breaking the Cycle of Binge Eating"

Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Judson Brewer suggests using mindful eating to break the cycle of binge eating and curb cravings. Mindful eating involves focusing on the present moment and understanding the reasons behind food cravings. Brewer recommends mapping out eating patterns, changing the brain's perception of food rewards, and finding healthier alternatives to break the habit loop. By reconnecting with the body and listening to its cues, individuals can conquer cravings and end unhealthy eating habits.

"Mastering Mindful Eating: Tackling Cravings and Stress"
health-and-wellness2 years ago

"Mastering Mindful Eating: Tackling Cravings and Stress"

Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Judson Brewer offers a 21-day strategy to conquer habitual eating by asking questions to differentiate between hunger and cravings, emphasizing the role of mindfulness in changing eating habits. He suggests using curiosity and mindfulness to cope with food cravings and change the reward value of food, ultimately disrupting unhealthy patterns. Brewer's approach involves recognizing, accepting, investigating, and noting cravings, and embracing a growth mindset to learn from experiences. While acknowledging the potential benefits of weight loss drugs, he advocates for understanding how our brains work and learning to work with them, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in conjunction with medication if needed.

"Uncovering the Gut-Brain Connection to Sugar and Fat Cravings"
neuroscience2 years ago

"Uncovering the Gut-Brain Connection to Sugar and Fat Cravings"

Researchers have discovered distinct neural pathways in the gut-brain network for fat and sugar cravings, revealing that separate circuits in the vagus nerve communicate information about consumed fats and sugars to the brain, triggering dopamine release in the brain’s reward center. Activating both fat and sugar circuits simultaneously leads to an amplified dopamine release and overeating in mice. This discovery provides insights into why high-fat, high-sugar foods are irresistible and why dieting can be challenging, offering potential for developing anti-obesity strategies by targeting these gut-brain reward circuits.

The Link Between Comfort Foods and Mental Health
health-and-wellness2 years ago

The Link Between Comfort Foods and Mental Health

Comfort foods, often high in carbohydrates and sugar, are commonly turned to during times of stress or sadness due to their ability to trigger the brain's pleasure centers and release feel-good hormones like dopamine. These foods provide a short-term mood boost, but their long-term effects on physical and mental health are generally negative. While indulging in comfort foods occasionally is okay, a steady intake is associated with health risks such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It's important to strike a balance and not shame oneself over food choices, but rather focus on course correcting and maintaining a generally healthy diet.

"Warning Signs and Solutions for Excessive Sugar Consumption"
health2 years ago

"Warning Signs and Solutions for Excessive Sugar Consumption"

Consuming excessive amounts of sugar can lead to various health complications, including chronic inflammation, increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, negative effects on the gut microbiome, and dental problems. Signs that you may be eating too much sugar include constant cravings, fluctuating energy levels, dental issues, weight gain, chronic pain, feeling constantly hungry, and high blood pressure. It's important to be mindful of your sugar intake and make informed choices to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.

"12 Surprising Foods That Increase Your Hunger - Choose Wisely!"
health2 years ago

"12 Surprising Foods That Increase Your Hunger - Choose Wisely!"

Certain foods, such as sugary pastries, bagels, croissants, yogurt with high sugar content, salty snacks, alcohol, granola bars low in protein, white rice, white bread, sugar-sweetened cereals, white pasta, and fruit juice, can spike your appetite and make you hungrier due to their high refined carbs, low fiber, and protein content. These foods can mess with your blood sugar levels, leading to insatiable cravings and a lack of satiety. Opt for healthier alternatives with more protein, fiber, and complex carbs to keep you feeling full for longer.