Do you reach for carbs and sugar when you're tired, sad, lonely or afraid?
At times, I sure do.
Rightly or wrongly, it's the way I learned to soothe myself as a teenager desperately trying to navigate life without her mother.
There are also other factors that contribute to this behaviour though too.
Subconsciously, we can think that the carbohydrates and sugar are going to comfort us when we're not feeling quite right, but in actual fact they do the opposite. Due to their make up, they increase serotonin levels in our brains (the feel good hormone) and they leave us craving more.
This is why eating these foods can lead to a vicious and self-perpetuating cycle that has us gaining weight and potentially heading us toward things like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Looking into why we want these types of foods in different situations is the most helpful thing we can do.
For me at this time, I have an underlying nervousness as I prepare to publish my book in a few months time and there's a part of me that is looking for comfort.
I openly admit I have been reaching for sugar and carbs this past few months, but I'm aware of it. I'm working with my feelings through journalling, a dialogue with the younger part of myself, and I've been working with a mentor, all of which have been incredibly helpful. I've been able to understand what I'm feeling, and why, and then make changes to my behaviour.
Are you prone to reaching for carbs and sugar to soothe yourself?
With love,
