Mother Earth Living – September-October 2019

28 motherearthliving.com

FOOD CRAVINGS

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|^ GOOD TO KNOW |

What Causes

Cravings?

Below are some common causes of

cravings. This list is by no means

exhaustive, and there’s often

overlap between the physical,

emotional, and spiritual basis

of cravings. Emotional cravings

tend to be rooted in events and

incidents, while spiritual cravings

tend to be more systemic in nature.

PHYSICAL

✽ Blood sugar fluctuation

✽ Decreased daylight

✽ Food intolerance

✽ Gut flora imbalances

✽ Lack of sleep

✽ Nutrient deficiencies

✽ Too much or too little

physical activity

EMOTIONAL STRESSORS

✽ Anxiety

✽ Celebrations

✽ Frustration

✽ Grief

✽ Hopelessness

✽ Perfectionism

✽ Sadness

SPIRITUAL

✽ Disconnection from oneself

✽ Disconnection from that which

is bigger than oneself (God,

Goddess, nature, etc.)

✽ Disconnection from one’s

purpose and meaning

✽ Social isolation

production. Serotonin not only influ-

ences mood, but has an appetite-sup-

pressing effect as well.

Carbohydrates contain the amino

acid tryptophan, which helps create

serotonin in the body. With shorter

daylight hours resulting in reduced

serotonin production, our bodies turn

to carbohydrates to compensate for

low levels of serotonin. While science

on winter appetite isn’t definitive, it’s

possible that differences in our ability

to produce and break down serotonin

may alone affect cravings, and these

variances keep researchers divided.

Cravings Without the Crash

This sharp shift in cravings is

exacerbated by the cultural and

market-driven cues to consume more

sugar, alcohol, and comfort foods

throughout the holiday season. The

quick, easy fix inevitably lies in a

pumpkin spice latte, muffin, or a

bowl of pasta. While these processed

choices do supply a significant and

quick surge of tryptophan to boost

serotonin production, they also come

with sharp spikes in blood sugar. This

ultimately leads to an energy crash,

followed by a declining mood driven

by low blood sugar, which then creates

more cravings. It’s a roller coaster

many people struggle with in autumn.

Additionally, lifestyle choices that

are at odds with the season can have a

significant impact on the severity of our

cravings. In winter months, activity in

nature slows down: Plant growth slows

or stops, animals hibernate, and repro-

duction grinds to a halt in most species.

Prior to the introduction of artificial

light, human activity also decreased

significantly. However, the cultural

norm during winter today is to defy the

darkness by filling cities with strings of

lights. Instead of resting, we consume

loads of caffeine and sugar. We act in

defiance of nature and fill our sched-

ules with multiple events throughout

the holiday season, stress over expecta-

tions of holiday meals and gifts, and

give ourselves less time to rest and relax

during the time of year when nature

promotes the opportunity for a break.

Changing Habits

Even if our obligations don’t allow

us to rest more from October to

February, we can be more conscious