Filed under: Advice, Happiness, Health, Healthy Eating, Worrywart
Each week, holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy tells us about a common health problem she’s seen in her practice and how she came to a solution.
This Week’s Client: Claire, a school teacher, single mom and self-professed chocoholic
The Problem: Claire was eating chocolate every evening, but it wasn’t good quality, 85 percent dark, organic chocolate, her poison was processed chocolate bars such as Kit Kat and Snickers. She was desperate to kick her habit but felt she was literally addicted admitting that she was binging on these sugary treats after dinner.
Thus, she came to see me as she realized it probably wasn’t a good thing that should couldn’t go a single night without chocolate. And, of course, there was the fact the extra calories weren’t doing her waistline any favours.
Does Claire’s problem sound remotely familiar? I know I’ve been there, particularly during that time of the month. And it’s not surprising to me as chocolate is one of the most common foods that women find themselves “addicted” to and want to break. So the question is, why are we so addicted to chocolate?
- Chocolate contains a component called theobromine which has a stimulating effect, but to a much lesser degree than caffeine, some find this addictive.
- Serotonin-connection: Foods with sugar give us an initial happy-high similar to that of serotonin. However, it’s short-lived.
- Magnesium-deficiency. Dr. Natasha Turner, ND and women’s health expert advises that when her patients experience chocolate cravings she has them supplement with magnesium.
- Craving sweets, especially chocolate is a sure sign you are an “emotional eater“. If this describes you then read what Deepak Chopra advises for this, after the jump
Continue reading Why Are Women Addicted to Chocolate? How to Break the Habit