In the middle of the day or between meals, it’s common to feel that urge to eat a sweetie, whether it’s a candy, chocolate, dulce de leche or a truffle. This need of the body is frequent, and the nutritionist Saint Christopher Hospital and MaternityAna Paula Gonçalves da Silva, clarifies doubts on the subject.
After lunch, it’s normal to feel like eating sweets. This is because heavier foods take time to process. “There is also another explanation for this need. As soon as we finish a heavy, high-carbohydrate meal, many of us experience what is called reactive hypoglycemia, a state of low blood sugar resulting from excessive insulin release. When this happens, the brain triggers the need for glucose in the bloodstream and the desire for the famous sweetie comes along,” explains the nutritionist.
Ana Paula points out that the Glucose is very important for the proper functioning of the brain. “Sweets when consumed in modest amounts are not villains. Sugar is also called neuron food and that is why when someone needs energy, the body “asks” for sugar, as it is the brain’s main food”, he says. In addition, glucose gives a feeling of pleasure and happiness and works as a defense against stress. “This is because it interferes with neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, linked to these feelings”, completes the professional.
Check out the nutritionist’s tips to satisfy that desire without giving up your health:
- strategic foods: “Some foods such as: oats, bananas, apples, cinnamon, Brazil nuts and grains in general help to reduce the desire to eat sweets. Regular consumption contributes to reducing the desire to eat sweets”.
- Go slow: “If the person has the habit of consuming sweets on a daily basis, the ideal is to gradually reduce this consumption, because if you stop completely, the rebound effect may occur, that is, you may even be able to maintain the absence of sweets for a few days, but soon he will not be able to take it anymore and will start to eat more sweets than he used to eat”.
- Make substitutions on the menu: “Instead of opting for desserts prepared with a lot of sugar or industrialized cookies, we can consume fresh or dried fruit after lunch. Try raisins and dates, as they have a sweeter flavor.”
- Did not resist? Replace! “For example, when the desire for ice cream is great, opt for the fruit popsicle, as the sugar and fat contents are lower when compared to the creamy versions. Jellies and light puddings can also be interesting and nutritious options”.
- Test other sweetening options: “When we prepare a dessert or a cake, we can replace refined sugar with a reduced amount of brown sugar, cane syrup or honey. You can also use fresh or dried fruit to enhance the flavor.”
