Do you find yourself frequently reaching for unhealthy snacks when stressed or anxious? Understanding the emotional triggers behind your cravings can significantly impact your health and well-being.
In our recent webinar, Charlotte Headley, a Registered Nutritional Therapist and Nutrition Case Manager, explored how our emotions and eating habits are intricately connected. It’s not just about willpower; emotional responses play a significant role in what, when, and how we eat.
The Dopamine Dilemma
Charlotte highlighted the role of dopamine—a key neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward—in driving food cravings. Foods high in sugar or artificial sweeteners, like Coke Zero, offer intense but short-lived dopamine hits, making them especially appealing during emotional stress. However, this reliance can lead to increased tolerance and reduced sensitivity, making it harder to feel satisfied over time.
Recalibrating Your Cravings
The good news is you can retrain your brain to crave healthier options. Charlotte suggests setting achievable, incremental goals to slowly replace artificially sweetened beverages and snacks with natural alternatives. Over time, this helps reduce your dopamine tolerance, making healthier options genuinely rewarding and satisfying.
Healthy Alternatives
During the webinar, Charlotte recommended several practical alternatives to curb unhealthy cravings:
- Sparkling water with a dash of fruit squash for flavour
- Kombucha, a fizzy, probiotic-rich beverage beneficial for gut health
- Other health-focused drinks designed to satisfy without causing dopamine spikes
View A Section Of Our Webinar Below
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