Curb Those Cravings

WE FEEL THE NEED FOR MORE SUGAR IN THE WINTER AND HOW TO RESIST THE URGE. BY CAMILLA FOSTER

- Camilla Foster

MANY of us will have overindulged in the sweet stuff this Christmas, but what can we do to manage sugar cravings and why are they stronger in winter?

BEHAVIOUR CONDITIONING

"One of the main reasons is the environmental triggers we're exposed to during winter," explains Rosie Carr, dietitian at healthy eating plan Second Nature. "Over many years, we may have built associations in our brains between certain situations and food or drink, like coming home from a cold walk and having a hot chocolate with marshmallows.

"Repeating this behaviour will mean our brains crave sugar after walking in cold weather - and this is known as 'Pavlovian conditioning' and can be applied to many other environmental, social, and behavioural cues that lead to cravings."

BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE

Dopamine, also known as the feel-good hormone, plays a central role in maintaining this craving cycle.

"The process is regulated by the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is involved in motivation and reward," explains Rosie. "When triggered (like when we have a hot chocolate), dopamine is released to instruct the brain to repeat this behaviour."