Craving Sugar and Salt? These Could Be The Reasons Why!

Do you crave sugar or salt? When it's that time of the month or when I'm having a super stressful day, I typically gravitate towards sugar. Like today, for example...when admittedly I ate Welch's Fruit Snacks at work. #smh

There are a few reasons why you're experiencing these intense cravings! But, what do you do about them? Option A is to give into them, right? Because who wouldn't want to just give into them. For me, giving into my cravings is usually options A through Z. Let's be real.

But so that you DON'T give into your cravings, what can be done?

1) You're Stressed (a more obvious reason)

As quoted by Dr. Ethan Lazarus, MD, director of the Clinical Nutrition Center in Greenwood Village, Colorado in Health Magazine, "When you're under a lot of pressure, it drives the stress hormone cortisol up, which in turn can stimulate cravings for foods high in fat or sugar." Try to swap the craving with something else that makes you happy and feel goooood. You may want to consider a hobby, or try drinking more water!

2) Mother Nature's Knocking

Ah, the joys of being a women. How badly does it suck that we get intense cravings every single month when Mother Nature decides to show up at our door. She's so annoying #EyeRoll Consider another type of snack that doesn't have a ton of sugar, but still satisfies the craving... like, oats or a protein bar.

3) Lack of Sleep

GOD. How many of us can relate to THIS one. As a 20 something with a full time job, part time job, hobbies, dates with roommates/friends/boyfriend/girlfriend, bridesmaid obligations... the list goes on. We're all busy, and we all lack sleep...some more than others (*cough* me *cough*) I definitely find myself craving sweets and salt when I don't get at least 7 hours of sleep at night. Eating a healthy and heavier breakfast within an hour of waking up helps satisfy the cravings during the day.

* Stay tuned for breakfast, lunch, and dinner options -- coming soon ;)

4) You've Conditioned Yourself

Are you guilty of craving mac and cheese bites after a night out or pizza on a Friday, just because you've formed a habit? I have, 1000%, conditioned myself at work to grab a snack after I get up to pee. And since 98% of the time I reach for something sweet, I now crave those damn Welch's Fruit Snacks. And pizza cravings on a Friday... fugetaboutit. That habit / fond memory was created at age 10, when my family and I would eat pizza for Friday Family Movie Nights. Since most of these cravings are psychological (living proof over here, so I can attest) keep that shit out of sight. It's true what they say ... out of sight, out of mind. I can't really control the fruit snacks at work, since they're always fully stocked in the office, but I either look in a different direction on my way to the bathroom or walk directly to the water fountain instead, and fill up my 64 oz. water bottle.

5) Dieting

As quoted by Allegra Gast, RDN, owner of Aloha Nutrition in Oahu, Hawaii in Health Magazine, "If you deprive yourself of something, the need for it could intensify, which is very common on fad diets." Using today as an example: I basically starved myself all morning because I got busy and after the intense lift training I did yesterday, my body was deprived of food (and water). So, what did I do? I craved the Welch's Fruit Snacks *insert another eye roll* Word of advice: don't starve yourself, OK? That's not the way to loose weight. You'd be surprised with just how much food your body actually needs to loose weight... yes, carbs included.

* Stay tuned for more in another article, I'm happy to dig deeper into explaining this!

How do you overcome cravings when you're going through/experiencing any of the above things? Leave a comment below, and I'll feature your reply in my story!