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EMOTIONAL HUNGER
Emotional hunger or food cravings? Discover the causes and solutions
If you constantly think about eating, you may be experiencing emotional hunger or food cravings. This behaviour is neither normal nor appropriate, and may be indicative of several underlying factors. In this article, we will explore the causes that may be behind this phenomenon and how you can manage it to improve your well-being.
EMOTIONAL HUNGER
Factors contributing to emotional hunger
1️⃣ Emotions and emotional hunger
Stress, depression and anxiety play a crucial role in emotional eating. Studies have shown that difficulties in emotional regulation can lead to overeating behaviours, especially in response to negative emotions.
Emotional hunger is behind many cases of overweight. This type of programming can arise from unmet emotional needs, unresolved grief or on going stress. In these cases, food becomes a resource to satiate this unconscious need, resulting in unwanted weight.
2️⃣ Unconscious programming and its impact
In the realm of relationships, many unconscious programming can lead to similar results: weight that we are uncomfortable with. Some of this programming includes seeking acceptance, imitating people we admire, avoiding partners, or being visible and receiving attention.
We can have many other programming with their respective benefits, such as the use of weight as protection, avoiding of sexual relations, or self-sabotage due to various fears.
3️⃣ High glucose levels
Eating foods high in sugar can cause spikes and drops in your blood glucose levels. When you eat something very sugary, your glucose levels rise rapidly, giving your body a burst of energy.. However, this energy quickly disappears, causing a drop in your glucose levels. This drop can make you feel tired and hungry again, leading you to eat more sugar to get another burst of energy. This cycle of peaks and troughs can make you feel constantly hungry and makes it difficult to maintain stable energy levels.
EMOTIONAL HUNGER
4️⃣ Addictive substances in processed products
Many processed foods contain additives that can cause addiction. These additives, such as flavour enhancers, preservatives and colourings, are designed to make food more attractive and tasty. However, they can also make you feel the need to eat more of these foods, even when you are not hungry. For example, crisps, soft drinks and sweets often have ingredients that activate the pleasure centres in the brain, similar to the way some drugs do. This can lead to a cycle of cravings and overconsumption, making it difficult to control your eating.
5️⃣ Orexins produced by the consumption of cereals and dairy products
Orexins are neuropeptides produced in the hypothalamus that regulate wakefulness and appetite. These compounds play a crucial role in activating wakefulness and increasing appetite. Consumption of certain foods, such as cereals and dairy products, can stimulate the production of orexins, which in turn increases feelings of hunger.. Orexins influence the regulation of energy balance and can make you feel hungrier after consuming these foods.
6️⃣ Intestinal or systemic Candidiasis
An imbalance in the gut microbiota, such as fungal overgrowth, can affect how your body processes food and how you feel about hunger and satiety. In particular, an intestinal or systemic candidiasis may increase the need to eat, especially foods rich in carbohydrates and sweets. This is because the Candida fungus uses these foods as its main source of energy.. When Candida overgrowth occurs, the body may send signals of cravings for these foods, which increases consumption of carbohydrates and sugars, perpetuating the cycle of fungal growth and constant hunger.
EMOTIONAL HUNGER
7️⃣ Insufficient sleep
Lack of sleep not only affects your energy and mood, but can also increase hunger. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, and less leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite. This means that not only do you feel hungrier, but you are also more likely to reach for high-calorie, unhealthy foods. Lack of sleep can also affect the areas of your brain that control decision-making, making it difficult to resist cravings and make healthy food choices
8️⃣ Dehydration
Thirst can sometimes be mistaken for hunger. Mild dehydration can make you feel hungry when you really only need water. Staying well hydrated can help reduce feelings of hunger and unnecessary cravings.
9️⃣Lack of nutrients
Lack of certain essential nutrients in your diet, such as protein, fibre and healthy fats, can make you feel constantly hungry. These nutrients help keep you feeling fuller for longer. Making sure you eat a balanced diet can help you control hunger.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing the causes of emotional hunger is critical to improving your relationship with food and your overall well-being. There are organic or physical causes and emotional causes that need to be identified in order to address them successfully. Identify your unconscious programming and work on reprogramming it to promote a healthier and more balanced life. Start transforming your life today!
