Why do I crave bread and cake?
Stress, anxiety and emotions can all impact our 'need' for certain foods. Take carbs like bread, biscuits and sweet treats, for example – eating them has a calming effect and boosts levels of the good-mood brain chemical serotonin, which is just what your body craves when you're feeling down or stressed out.
Simple carbohydrates
A craving for pasta or white bread can indicate a lack of the amino acid tryptophan, which is vital in the production of the “feel-good” hormone serotonin. If you are not getting enough carbs in your diet, this can put you in a bad mood.
Craving bread may indicate nitrogen deficiency, so make sure you eat more fish, meat, and beans. Those who are craving fatty foods might not be eating enough calcium. This mineral is found in veggies, dairy, and greens.
- Fresh Fruit. Fruit is naturally very sweet and a great choice when you get a sugar craving. ...
- Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt tastes creamy and indulgent, but it's also really healthy. ...
- A Hot Drink. ...
- Snack Bar. ...
- Dark Chocolate. ...
- Fruit and Nut Butter. ...
- Cottage Cheese. ...
- Banana Ice Cream.
Scientists suggest that carb cravings occur because of the effect that carbs (especially sugars) have on your brain. Consuming sugary foods increases the levels of the “feel-good” hormone (serotonin), making you correlate feeling good with having carbs.
Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in blood sugar regulation, so a deficiency may trigger sugar cravings. Sufficient magnesium is important to control cravings and help one to cut down on sugar.
This is because eating carbs causes our body to produce insulin. Increased levels of insulin signal to our bodies to accumulate fat and burn carbs. Insulin also causes energy to be stored in fat cells, which means other cells are neglected; they become starved, which is what makes the eater crave more carbs.
Scientists suggest that carb cravings occur because of the effect that carbs (especially sugars) have on your brain. Consuming sugary foods increases the levels of the “feel-good” hormone (serotonin), making you correlate feeling good with having carbs.
Fat Cravings May Be Healthy
Others may be experiencing a deficiency in fat soluble vitamins, especially vitamins E, D, K and A. Depending on your metabolism, fat cravings may simply be an attempt for your body to get the nutrition it needs for sustained energy.
If you are just craving some bread and butter or toast, then more than likely your body is deficient in nitrogen which can be found in high protein foods (perhaps some eggs and/or chicken would do the trick).