Who
hasn't fallen prey to junk food gorging or cravings for sweets or
overeaten at the buffet or holiday dinner table. We probably all identify
with these hazards to our weight, but we are not all successful in
defending against these cravings and overeating attacks. Cravings and
overeating are not always a simple matter of self-control as seen below in
"Explaining Food Cravings and Overeating." We are well aware of the
problem though - our weight either
continues to balloon or we are unsuccessful at losing unwanted weight.
Explaining Food Cravings and Overeating
- Many dieters experience
cravings for sweet foods. These cravings are caused by fluctuating high
and low blood sugar levels. Simple overeating can be helped by avoiding
high-fat, high-calorie snacks, not eating when you're not hungry,
controlling the size of your portions, and limiting your intake of
sugary drinks like soda.
-
Some researchers
speculate that cravings arise in an attempt to supply the body with
nutrients it lacks. For example, carbohydrate cravings commonly reported
by dieters may be due to a diet too low in calories. Carbohydrate
cravings can simply be from hunger because your blood sugar levels are
too low. When some people count calories, they end up getting most of
their calories from fat and then the carbohydrate portion of their diets
is too low. Likewise, carbohydrate cravings experienced by heavy
exercisers could result from depletion of glycogen stores, which
carbohydrates replenish.
-
Sometimes overeating
derives from stress or boredom.
Many have
complained that they overeat in response to workplace or personal
stress. Others confess
they have developed a habit of overeating simply because it gives them
something to do when bored.
- Binge eating, which is
also called compulsive overeating, is different from simply overeating
now and then. Those with binge eating disorder feel a compulsion to
overeat. They regularly eat unusually large amounts of food and don't
stop eating when they become full. With binge eating a person feels out
of control and powerless to stop eating while they're doing it. How does
one know if they have a compulsive disorder or a simpler overeating
problem?
Try this Self Test
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These statements may not be relied upon for
diagnosis or
treatment of any disease. Seek advice from
your health care professional regarding the diagnosis or treatment
of any disease |
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