What Makes You Crave Sweets?

Why we crave sweets does not have a simple answer. However, our cravings require considerations of body, moods, family health history and gender. All of these things explain your cravings.

Body

• Mood can affect your cravings,

  Sometimes your body can be taxed and requires a boost in blood sugar. This often leads to you to crave sweets at the end of an exhausting day.

Moods

• Cravings may contribute to migraines.

  Sweets release a short burst of serotonin, a basic chemical your body produces to feel good. If you are low due to something in your life that leaves you sad or depressed, a small "pick-me-up" can be delivered through sweets.

Health History

• Gender plays a role in cravings.

  Depending on your body-type, you may have a predilection toward sweets. For example, if you are stressed and are susceptible to migraine headaches, craving chocolate may contribute to the pain. Chocolate releases vasoactive amines, resulting in vasodilation, thus contributing to causation of migraines.

Gender

• Genes may make you crave sweets.

  Women are particularly at risk for craving sweets, not because of an eating disorder but rather due to a lack of nutrition. This lack of nutrition will trigger hormonal responses, which lead to a craving of sweets to compensate.

Family History

• If diabetes runs in your family, it may play a part in the cravings for sweets. Diabetes can be devastating when just about everything we eat, even healthy food like fruits and vegetables, have sugar. It's a vicious cycle because the more sugars you eat, the more you may crave.

Warnings

• Sometimes a craving is just a craving. However, if you feel like they are coming too often, you may want to check with a dietitian or other health care professional to find out what you may be experiencing.