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Don't Be A Slave To What You Crave
By Bette L. Hall CMA, NHC
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Positive and Negative Aspects of Chocolate and Sweets
You aren’t going to be told to give up the chocolate. Chocolate
can be good for you. There are, however; some things you need to
know about the chocolate and sweet cravings you experience.
When blood sugar levels drop below 65 milligrams, a sweet toot
and sugar craving is the result. If the blood sugar level is
allowed to continue below the 65 mg., headache, weakness, and
even heart palpitations can occur. Thinking becomes slowed and
confused which leads to grouchiness and irritability.
Many scientific studies have shown that well being and a
positive disposition result when the blood sugar levels remain
above the fasting level.
The average American begins the day with high sugar content
foods. Think about it. You’re running late for work. You skip
having breakfast. You stop at the nearest 7-11 or QT on your way
to work and what do you buy? Sugar laden coffee and a couple of
donuts! Or maybe you drive through Winchell’s Donut Shop or
Crispy Cream for your morning donuts and sugar-laden coffee.
If you are in a big hurry but not that late, your breakfast
consists of the quick and easy. How about pop tarts, toaster
strudel, frozen waffles, or coffeecake? And sugar-laden coffee,
of course.
All that sugar that’s consumed in the early morning hours causes
the blood sugar to skyrocket, but in an hour or so it drops to a
low level again. The result? Inefficiency and fatigue! The real
function of sugar is to efficiently produce energy not fatigue.
The key to maintaining an even blood sugar level for hours after
consumption is by adding protein to your breakfast. Drink a
glass of milk or eat some yogurt or cottage cheese with
breakfast. Another name for cottage cheese is curds and whey.
There have been some excellent studies performed recently on the
benefits of whey including increased hormone levels and lowered
body weight. By adding milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese to your
morning meal, you’ll be taking a healthy step in the right
direction.
If you feel you need a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack, eat a
protein bar. I didn’t say to skip the chocolate. The important
point is to add some protein.
Mrs. A was bragging, "I can eat chocolate and still lose
weight." It was learned that Mrs. A skipped breakfast and had
only a chocolate candy bar for lunch.
She went on to say, "I have to have my chocolate. I would rather
starve myself all day than to give up my chocolate."
Studies have shown that chocolate consumption is healthy because
of its polyphenol and anti-oxidant properties. "Chocolate is a
mild stimulant and mood elevator."1 It tastes good too. In fact,
chocolate is delicious. According to a study at Shippensburg
University in Pennsylvania, five out eight women crave sweets.
The most prevalent craving being the craving of chocolate.2
Mrs. A would be functioning at a more efficient level by
replacing the candy bar with a protein bar. The craving for
chocolate and sweets disappears or is at least diminished when
the blood sugar level is kept high. That is accomplished by
eating protein foods - NOT sugar foods.
What Mrs. A didn’t realize is that when a craving becomes so
intense that you think you can’t live without it, it’s become an
addiction.
Many women crave chocolate every month during either PMS of
their menstrual cycle. In addition to a blood sugar level, this
craving could also be the result of a nutritional deficiency.
Many "chocolate-addicts" crave chocolate because of a chromium
and magnesium deficiency.
Chromium helps stabilize blood sugar levels and makes better use
of insulin. This action lessens the urge to indulge in those
delicious tempting morsels of chocolate.
Another supplement that helps to naturally suppress chocolate
and sugar cravings is the amino acid L-Glutamine. Glutamine is
known as the essential "non-essential amino acid." It is known
to alleviate hypoglycemia.
In summary, chocolate and other sweets can become an addiction
for these reasons: 1. Low Blood Sugar Levels 2. Nutritional
Deficiency
Supplements that help curb the craving: 1. Chromium 2.
L-Glutamine
The best way to curb the craving: 1. Add Protein Foods to Your
Meals 2. Eat Protein Foods for Your Snacks 3. Take Supplements
____________________ References
1. Zand, Janet, Allen J. Spreen, James B. LaValle. Smart
Medicine for Healthier Living. New York, Garden City Park. Avery
Publishing Company. 1999 p. 449
2. Studenmund, Gabrielle. Fitness Magazine May 2001. "Retrain
Your Appetite" G & H USA Publishing, A Garner and Jahr Company.
New York, N. Y. p. 55
About the author:
Bette has been writing nutrition, diet and weight loss articles
for twenty years. The information she writes about is always
up-to-date and timely. She'll leave you hungering for more of
what she has to say.
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