CRASHES AND CRAVINGS

Living a low-sugar lifestyle should protect you against energy crashes, which are particularly common midmorning and midafternoon. Sugar crashes occur when sugar quickly enters the bloodstream, making blood sugar levels spike. Then, as the body releases large amounts of insulin to encourage the cells to absorb the glucose, blood glucose levels drop rapidly, leaving you feeling fatigued and lethargic. Healthy fats, protein, and fiber contain little if any sugar, and provide slow-release energy without having the same effect on the body.

According to research, cravings are simply all in your head. It is thought that the sections of the brain most active during cravings are the parts responsible for memory and sensing pleasure and fulfillment, which suggests that memory and not bodily needs often triggers cravings.

In order to trigger the strong mental sequence that is a craving, the body tends to want (although not need) something, and often that something is sugar after a blood glucose dip. These are the moments when self-control is necessary. It can help to have something on hand to snack on, such as a bag of nuts or piece of cheese. There are some recipes for low-sugar snacks in this book, such as the Crunchy Parmesan and Kale Chips. You’ll also find portable snacking recipes, such as the Chocolate and Brazil Nut Bars and the Ginger and Oat No-Bake Cookies. Responding to cravings by snacking on low-sugar foods such as these will help you through them.