Men know that during strength training you are constantly hungry – in this way the body gives a signal that it needs additional energy. In this case, muscles utilize calories to restore tissue and construct muscle fibers.
However, if, against the backdrop of a sedentary lifestyle, you want to eat something sweet every few hours, this can easily cause weight gain. Why do you have a constant desire to eat, what causes it, and what actions should you take to achieve weight loss?
Why do you always want to eat?
Strictly speaking, there are many different factors that affect the occurrence of hunger. This can be as much as pregnancy or breastfeeding a child (in fact, the mother needs calories for two) – or the aforementioned strength training.
On the other hand, one of the most common reasons why you want to eat is because of fluctuations in blood sugar levels. They arise due to the regular consumption of fast carbohydrates (bread, pastries, desserts and sweets) – and lead to a violation of the hormonal level of the body.
The inability to control appetite and lack of willpower to fight the compulsive desire to eat something sweet is the first symptom of insulin resistance and, ultimately, the cause of diabetes. In addition, food can form a feeling of psychological support.
Psychology and psychosomatics
Individuals don’t just develop an addiction to sweets on a physiological level, but also at a psychological level. The body requires additional carbohydrates with an increased level of the stress hormone cortisol – which is why, with problems and worries, you often constantly want to eat.
Unfortunately, high cortisol levels coupled with impaired insulin production deal a double whammy to health. First, the body emits a signal indicating the need for extra energy (which drives your desire to eat) – but subsequently, the body struggles to effectively utilize the energy from fast carbohydrates.
What to do if you want something sweet?
A few minutes after eating a small portion of the sweet, blood sugar levels rise, bringing a surge of energy and vigor – which, in turn, improves mood. However, after 30-90 minutes, the blood glucose level drops sharply, bringing weakness and a characteristic desire to eat something.
If you do not fight this desire, but simply pour yourself another glass of sweet tea or reach for a chocolate candy, you first increase your blood glucose levels, and then you face the same problem. As a result, you constantly want to eat.
The importance of proper nutrition
Vegetable fiber is a key product that affects the normalization of blood sugar levels. In other words, when you’re craving something sweet, it’s extremely important to avoid the temptation to load up on fast carbs by opting for natural vegetables or fruits.
In addition, dietary fat also forms a stable and long-term satiety. To get rid of obsessive hunger, it is enough to eat a small handful of nuts or a piece of cheese – and not at all fat-free yogurt with a sweetener.
Unfortunately, sweeteners can affect metabolism and interfere with weight loss because they fuel sugar addiction. If you are constantly hungry, first of all, deal with the source of the problem – with cravings for sweets – and not at all with extra calories.
What to do if you want a lemon?
Another reason why you want to eat may be a lack of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet. For example, cravings for oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits can mean a deficiency of vitamin C, which, among other things, is responsible for energy processes in cells.
The desire to eat fish can mean a lack of omega-3s – this type of fatty acids is critical for brain function, the immune system and the fight against various types of inflammation. The human brain is approximately 60% fat, and omega-3s account for at least 30%.
Chocolate, in turn, is a source of magnesium, one of the most important minerals for health. Many believe that magnesium deficiency ranks among the most common deficiencies. Other sources of this mineral are nuts – another food that you want to eat constantly.
One of the primary reasons for your constant hunger is the fluctuation in blood glucose levels due to frequent consumption of fast carbohydrates. In order to get rid of the obsessive feeling of hunger and lose weight, you need to give up sweets and eat more fiber.