Carbohydrate Craving Syndrome

Symptoms and Tips for Carb Addicts

© Tracy Rose

Jun 7, 2007
Bagel, Greg Olson SXC.hu
How do serotonin, insulin resistance and blood sugar effect the way we eat? As symptoms of Carbohydrate Syndrome, they make a big difference.

Have you ever noticed that the more carbs you eat, the more you crave them, especially when it comes to sweets? And why do we eat so many carbs in the first place? A lack of serotonin may be the answer. Simple carbs make up for the missing feel-good chemical in the brain, but they also leave us feeling drained, bloated and fat.

“A large percentage of overweight clients who snacked on refined sugar and complex carbohydrates, such as popcorn, chips and candy, reported relief from depression, anxiety and boredom,” according to Betty Street of the Fairland Institute.

Because carbs and sweets temporarily relieve our emotions, we repeatedly turn to these foods rather than dealing with the issues that cause them.

It was Dr. Richard and Judith Wurtman who originally coined the phrase, “Carbohydrate Craving Syndrome” during their study of overeaters at the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences of Massachusetts Institue of Technology. They found that balancing insulin levels with a chromium supplement was helpful in reducing carb cravings in addicted patients.

Symptoms of Carbohydrate Craving Syndrome

Carb cravings are commonly caused by low levels of serotonin, high levels of insulin resistance and low blood sugar.

Other symptoms include:

  • A family history of obesity
  • Not being able to take your mind off of food
  • Hiding food and eating habits regularly
  • Diets don’t work for you and you end up eating even more than before and gaining weight
  • Using food to satisfy emotional needs
  • Treating food as your friend

Tips for Losing Weight with Carboyhdrate Craving Syndrome

You can’t escape your genes and weight loss is difficult at best when the cards seem stacked against you, but there are some things you can do to make the journey a little easier.

  • Distract yourself when cravings hit.
  • Substitute a lower fat, lower calorie snack for high carb foods.
  • Eat smart carbs throughout the day to feel full and avoid feeling deprived on your diet.
  • Eat a small portion of the food you crave. Some dieters swear by the three-bite rule.
  • Eat all foods in moderation without binging on certain foods or omitting others.
  • Follow a diabetic diet to avoid sugar spikes and feel a sense of balance.
  • Talk to your doctor and have him or her rule out any other medical reasons such as diabetes or thyroid problems that could prevent you from losing weight.

Note: If you are also being treated for depression (due to low serotonin levels) the medicine may worsen your carb cravings. Ask your doctor about side effects and the best option for lifting depression while losing weight.


The copyright of the article Carbohydrate Craving Syndrome in Weight Loss is owned by Tracy Rose. Permission to republish Carbohydrate Craving Syndrome in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Bagel, Greg Olson SXC.hu
       


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Comments
Jan 15, 2009 9:49 PM
Guest :
Why would they put that picture of a delicious bagel on the bottom of this article?!?!?! I wasn't even thinking about bagels before I saw that (it was only pasta and cookies) but I am now! Brutal...
Mar 3, 2009 8:14 AM
Guest :
i was thinking the exact same thing!! REMOVE THE BAGEL
Mar 23, 2009 7:39 AM
Guest :
because this is a chemical, physiological imbalance, an SSRI drug is needed to correct the deficiency in seratonin. the remedies listed here are useless, obese people have heard these things all their lives. give someone a real answer. this is a disease, it is not behavioral any more than diabetes is.
Sep 1, 2009 7:18 AM
Guest :
When it comes to rice, choose brown instead of white. As for breads and pastas, go for whole grain. Try other less familiar grains as well such as millet, teff, quinoa and bulgur for your salads and side dishes.

If you can, try to stop eating pastries, cookies, crackers and other foods that are prepared using white flour and refined sugars altogether. These highly processed foods are not only loaded with calories, but they actually have very little nutritional value.
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Oct 21, 2009 8:24 PM
Guest :
Carb craving must be a hormonal imbalance issue. Every month I crave carbs just one week before my period. I try so hard not to give in, but I do everytime!!! For the most part I eat very good and drink a fair amount of water and excerise 4-5 times a week, but when that week comes...Watch Out carbs!!! it's pizza, sour cream, sour dough bread, rice and/or pasta every night until my period is over.

Does anyone know a good way to change this or to help curve it? I feel I'm in this yo yo cycle of life.
Oct 27, 2009 1:57 PM
Guest :
I AGREE I AGREE I AGREE!!! Post menopausal, slow thyroid, already being treated for long-term depression---all these make for really bad carb cravings and especially worse in the dark dreary northern US winters!!!

I have a suspicion that if you detox yourself away from all simple sugar then you won't crave it so badly
6 Comments