Naturally Reduce Carbohydrate Cravings

We have all experienced food cravings in our lives, and especially with the ever so delicious sugary and or salty carbohydrates. Many forms of carbohydrates are considered fun and or treat foods like cookies, cakes, ice cream, pasta, chips, subs and more! There is a time and place for ALL foods and we do not believe in food restrictions. At NWHS, we believe in a healthy balance and variety of foods. When our bodies are craving an excess number of unhealthy foods (usually the sugary and or salty “fun foods”), in reality our body is trying to communicate to us a message (s). Below are some tips to help naturally reduce your carbohydrate cravings to help you enjoy the fun stuff, but in moderation and without the guilt that can be associated when cravings get out of hand! 

Naturally Reduce Carb Cravings:

Sleep

Aim on consistent quality sleep. When we lack sleep, our cravings for unhealthy carbohydrate foods greatly increase the following day.

Chromium + Magnesium

Due to our current food supply, there are a handful of nutrients that most Americans are deficient in. The two most common associated with increased carbohydrate cravings are chromium and magnesium. Supplementing with all-natural sources of these will help to lower your carbohydrate cravings. *Ask your Nutritionist on your next NRT visit to test you for these to see if your body would benefit from taking and how much!

Adequate Protein

As a rough estimate, men want to aim on at least 25-30g of protein per breakfast, lunch and dinner and women at least 15g-20g of protein per meal. When you are repeatedly getting lower than the protein you need per meal, carbohydrate cravings will be more likely to increase.

Essential Fats

Consuming the correct amount of healthy fats, like proteins, will help to dramatically lower your carbohydrate cravings. Aim on 1-2 servings per breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of the main reasons why this is so helpful in reducing carbohydrate cravings is eating enough healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, nuts, nut butters, seeds, olives, etc.) helps to keep your blood sugar stable, keeping a hormone called insulin within a healthy range. When our insulin levels are balanced, our cravings are in check!

Blood Sugar Balance

For our NWHS clients who know about “The Squares” it is so crucial to ensure you are consistently getting 4 squares a meal and 2 squares a snack in order to keep your blood sugar and hormones balanced every 3 to 4 hrs.

Proper Hydration

Our brain will confuse thirst for hunger. Therefore, when we want a second helping of food, more times that not, we are in fact dehydrated! Aim on half your body weight in fluid ounces of water daily and for every ounce of caffeine, you want to add another ounce of water to ensure your body is properly hydrated.

Proper Gut Flora

When we are dealing with a surplus of “bad bugs” to “good bugs” in our body (bacterias, parasites, fungi, viruses, etc.), those “bad bugs” actually crave carbohydrates and sugars to survive and proliferate in our body which can greatly increase our carb cravings, gross I know, but true. Utilizing NRT and or Functional Lab Testing to properly analyze and heal your gut flora, will help to greatly balance your gut microbiome and keep cravings in check.

To learn more, call or email us anytime and one of our team members will be able to assist you and answer any further questions!