Carb Addiction Might Be Why, Sticking to a Low-Carb Diet <br />Can Be So Difficult.<br />An article in 'The New York Times' recently looked into why it's so hard to cut carbs from your diet. .<br />One possible answer relates to hormonal processes <br />in the body and the physiological effects <br />of consuming certain types of carbohydrates. .<br />The more insulin you release, <br />the more you crave carbs. <br />Once you’re exposed to <br />a little carbohydrate, and <br />you get an insulin rise from it, <br />that forces energy into fat cells.., Dr. Robert Lustig, pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco, via 'The New York Times'.<br />... and that deprives your other cells<br />of the energy they would otherwise<br />have utilized. So you compensate<br />by getting hungry, particularly <br />for more carbohydrate. <br />High insulin drives carb-craving, Dr. Robert Lustig, pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco, via 'The New York Times'.<br />Sweets could be a particular problem because of several physiological responses that may be unique to sugar.<br />Sweets could be a particular problem because of several physiological responses that may be unique to sugar.<br />Sugar cravings appear to be mediated <br />through the brain's reward center,<br /> just like other addictive substances. .<br />Sugar stimulates the release of a neurotransmitter <br />called dopamine, which produces a pleasurable <br />sensation that our brains begin to crave.<br />The author suggests that the first and most obvious strategy is to avoid the trigger.<br />It’s harder to avoid junk foods <br />in the food environment around <br />us, but we can certainly clean up <br />our home environment and avoid <br />situations where sugar and other <br />treats are easily available, Laura Schmidt, an addiction specialist at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, <br />via 'The New York Times'.<br />One tip is to learn to identify, plan for, and avoid situations that weaken resolve or increase cravings. .<br />The article reminds readers that any successful diet is a long-term commitment. .<br />The author also emphasizes the struggle <br />of overcoming addiction and the importance <br />of not giving up on your diet or health goals. .<br />It’s a very powerful system that has <br />to be undone, whether it’s addiction <br />or metabolic disease. It is knitted into <br />the body and mind over years, and <br />getting healthy requires taking <br />the long view as well, Laura Schmidt, an addiction specialist at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, via 'The New York Times'
