Breaking the Cycle of Carb Addiction
Filed under Low Carb Talk
One of the most difficult resolutions to make, and more so to keep in your life, is to determine to adopt a low carbohydrate way of living. Without mincing words, suppressing your hunger and desire for carbohydrate is not by any means just an overnight task. It is much more than that!
It is clearly stated in Dr Atkins book, that carbohydrates prompt the release of insulin in the body, and then a rise in blood sugar. The ease with which one can develop a liking for high- carbohydrate, low protein diet can be traced to the physical activation that usually occurs.
There are several symptoms that depict a physically induced hunger or desire for carbohydrates. This is usually a desire for rich carbohydrate foods, followed by increased assumption of carbohydrate byproduct like alcohol, and other sugar replacements.
Foods with high carbohydrates content are so rampant, that to quench ones lust for them becomes very difficult. As you take more and more of this refined starch based foods, it becomes more difficult to free oneself from the addiction that ensues.
It’s been found that high level of carbohydrate is self-prophylactic. This is so, because, high amount of carbohydrates have been found to stimulate the production of high level of serotonin which is a brain chemical also found in Prozac and other anti-depressants. Often times, people with low levels of serotonin are found to use carbohydrates addictively.
Stress is one of the factors that are predisposing to carbohydrate over-consumption. When stressed, the adrenal gland produces more cortisol which is a hormone that further leads to the production of another, causing increased hunger for carbs. Insulin is also stimulated, increasing blood sugar and fat storage.
When all these factors are put together, it appears somewhat that subsistence on a low- carbohydrate diet is impossible. However, this is not true. When you incorporate Dr Atkins plan into your lifestyle and stick to it, you will be able to liberate yourself from the bondage of carbohydrate dependency and live a healthier life.
When working with the Atkins diet, the intense hunger for carbohydrates will still come once in a while, more so at onset. However, the desire will subside as you adapt to eating a protein-based diet. Methodologies to keep the carbohydrate consumption desire at bay include taking meals (containing protein) in bits every few hours. This way your blood sugar remains stabilized and you do not have to ‘sabotage’ all your efforts at once if you go hungry. Do not skip meals. It causes a reduction in your blood sugar, and makes you hungry for sweets.
Proteins and fats are an essential aspect of the Atkins plan. They supply the body large amounts of energy, and also supplement the body’s need for essential acids, Omega 3 fish oil supplement helps to reduce your hunger for carbs.
Another method that helps to you to keep to the Atkins plan is the act of taking in water regularly. Before taking any snack, drink a cup of water. This will help to quench thirst that may appear as hunger, and reduce your consumption of carbohydrate. Drinking adequate amounts of water also keeps your body hydrated.
You need to know that your love for carbohydrate diets will disappear overnight. Even if during your initial days of trying out the Atkins plan, you feel you will not be able to cope. It is because your body as become accustomed to living on sugars and carbohydrates. Do not panic! The desires should not last more than the two-week adjustment period.
Stick to the Atkins plan, and in no time, you will begin to reap the benefits.
payday loan on Thu, 9th Jul 2009 3:56 pm
I have tried but I just don’t think i can elminate it totally from my diet! We need some in our diets!
John from Bathroom Remodeling Chicago on Thu, 16th Jul 2009 8:15 pm
wow, that photo looks great! i know some carbs are good payday, but we really don’t need that much, and there are differences between good and bad carbs.
George from Gourmet Food on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 1:42 pm
The low carb diet always baffled me. Whatever happened to eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly?
payday loans on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 2:05 pm
Thanks for article. I was looking for something like this.
Chears
Audrey from fisher island real estate on Sat, 29th Aug 2009 10:37 am
I am always of the view that one should keep a balanced diet and continuously learn more about his/her body and about the stuff you’re eating. I will give my own personal example, I was over-weight but then I started going to gym and working out a lot, I used to work to the extent where I couldn’t even find the extra energy to walk myself home. Hungry and tired, I used to eat more and still lost 13kgs, I was surprised when I checked my weight. I don’t think I restricted myself much but yes I used to avoid sweets but if I did eat it, I used to burn them a lot. Carbs are also a form of energy so they’re necessary, I don’t know much about the benefits and effects of high carbs and low carbs but I will spend time finding more about it.
James from Kent Greyhounds on Wed, 23rd Sep 2009 1:52 pm
Having been a fairly good middle distance runnger up until a few years ago I should know the perils of Coke, chocolates etc. as I used them as a pretty effect supply of carbs. Unfortunately, like many of us here, it’s all too easy to slip into a sedentry lifestyle all too quickly without reducing your carbohydrate intake. Your tip regarding taking on water is spot on – I’ve started running again and now take on more water and the effects can be seen very quickly.
Nancy from Ice Tea Maker on Mon, 23rd Nov 2009 10:06 pm
I have been working on reducing the sugar and carbohydrate intake in my daily diet with positive results. I find I don’t crave sugar as in the past. I switched to whole wheat, brown rice and healthy grains instead of the empty white flours, rice etc. The whole wheats and grains are so much more satisfying and I find I don’t eat as large of portion. This is a life long process in making the change to being healthier.
Nancy from Ice Tea Maker on Mon, 23rd Nov 2009 10:06 pm
I have been working on reducing the sugar and carbohydrate intake in my daily diet with positive results. I find I don’t crave sugar as in the past. I switched to whole wheat, brown rice and healthy grains instead of the empty white flours, rice etc. The whole wheats and grains are so much more satisfying and I find I don’t eat as large of portion. This is a life long process in making the change to being healthier.
David from Ketogenic diet online on Tue, 24th Nov 2009 4:01 am
Intake of too much carbohydrates is a problem that I see many people have. I also had this bad habbit before. From too much bread, pasta, and snacks like cookies and similar, I used to get more calories daily than from all the other food I ate. However, with time I found about ketogenic type of nutrition, or the so called low carb diet, and not only did I manage to lose weight, but I also got rid of the before mentioned nasty habits. I would advise anyone having a similar problem, to do the same…
sharon from payday loans on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 4:29 am
what ever it is i cant stop my self to drink cock .. chairs
Basin taps on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 6:37 pm
Just added a link to your site from mine, great blog.
jenfer from payday loans on Tue, 29th Dec 2009 5:10 am
east or west cock is the best.. and i just love soft drinks.hmm i cant stop my self after saw this photo…
Peter from herbal enhancement on Tue, 5th Jan 2010 12:39 pm
I did the Atkins diet when I was young and got very good results. Today I make a day of protein per week and is very useful to burn fat and speed metabolism.
Hertfordshire Builders on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 10:43 am
How are you, I run across this web site by on accident when I was going through Google then I came to your site. I must tell you that your web site is interesting I like your theme! I don
joe from payday loans on Fri, 15th Jan 2010 1:36 am
See you will follow each and every rules then I think u will simply die without having anything. I understand that what the doctors are trying to say and its true but if you take some times then its not bad for you.carbohydrates really harms our body.
acne control on Wed, 27th Jan 2010 4:05 am
Best to avoid fad diets and try to eat balanced meals. People have been saying that for a hundred years and it is probably true. Never diet or follow a specific plan without consulting a doctor.
acne control´s last blog ..Easy Tips for Acne Prevention for Teens
Facebook application on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 8:23 am
Eat some meat. The protien and fat will fill you up. Like bunnyblu said go Atkins for a while. After several weeks you can add some carbs back into your diet. Don’t stay on Atkins for years (like bunnyblu). After several months it will get unhealthy. You need carbs in your diet. Not 100% carbs.
Angie from Cherry Wood Computer Desk on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 4:43 pm
Stress is one of the major cause of carb addiction. The society of today is under stress more than ever before. People eat to release pressure. Until I got involved with a community
of people and started to help others instead of focusing on me, I began to notice a major change in my life. Depression is a killer when it comes to eating. Get involve with other peoples’ struggles and you will see changes.
imergent845 on Fri, 19th Feb 2010 1:02 am
Hi,this is one of the finest site and I really appreciate for this.Thanks for the blog.It’s my first visit.I like very much your way of presentation.Keep it up.