Biscuits, mac and cheese, French fries, candy bars … if thoughts about these and other carb-filled foods are constantly running around your head, you may be wondering if these powerful cravings are normal. Could they be telling you something more serious about your health, or are you simply super hungry and want to reach for the nearest high-calorie food?
Well, that depends! And it can be hard to decipher on your own. That’s why our team at Entelechy Life is here to tell you a bit more about how to differentiate normal cravings from carb cravings that may be a sign of diabetes.
Why Do You Crave Carbs, Anyway?
It’s important to understand just what your body might be telling you when it’s asking you for carbs.
Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy. Diet culture might tell you that they’re bad or that you should cut them, but in fact, your body needs plenty of carbs to keep you moving and alert! When you eat carbs, your body breaks them down into glucose (sugar), which provides the energy your cells need to function. This process also triggers a release of serotonin, a feel-good hormone, which can make carb-rich foods particularly satisfying.
“There are so many different reasons why your body might tell you to eat more carbs,” says Dr. Mead. Here are just a few:
- Low energy levels: When your body needs a quick energy boost, you might crave carbs.
- Stress: Stress sometimes can lead one to seek comforting foods such as carbs.
- Hormonal imbalances: Changes in hormones, especially during PMS or menopause, can increase cravings for carbs.
- Lack of sleep: Poor or inadequate sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger, leading to increased carb cravings.
Each of these causes is something that everyone will probably experience from time to time. You may have a stressful week or a bad night’s sleep and simply crave more carbs. There’s not much to worry about here! However, when these cravings start to become frequent, persistent, or intense, something more serious may be at play.
Carb Cravings and Signs of Diabetes: What’s the Connection?
Sometimes this type of carb-craving may be a sign of diabetes. There are two types of diabetes, both of which may elevate and intensify your carb cravings. Type 1 diabetics’ bodies do not produce enough insulin, and Type 2 diabetics’ bodies have become resistant to insulin. Insulin is the hormone your body needs to absorb glucose. When your body doesn’t have enough insulin or isn’t able to use it properly, glucose can build up in the blood and increase blood sugar levels.
How Carb Cravings Might Indicate Diabetes
Constantly craving carbs could be a sign that your body is struggling to use insulin properly and failing to regulate blood sugar levels. A few explanations of how continuous, intense carb cravings may be a sign of diabetes are as follows:
- Frequent hunger:
People with diabetes often feel hungry, even after eating. The body asks for carb-rich foods as the body seeks to get blood sugar levels under control.
- Energy crashes:
When blood sugar levels spike and then crash, it can lead to fatigue and a desire for more carbs to boost energy. Diabetics may experience these energy crashes when insulin outstrips available glucose.
- Insulin resistance:
In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin, making it harder for cells to absorb glucose. This can trigger carb cravings as the body tries to get more glucose into the cells.
While all of the above explain how diabetes may lead to increased carb cravings, it’s important to remember that craving carbs is not a definitive sign that you have diabetes. Many other daily issues can cause you to crave carbs. Taking a look at some other signs of diabetes may help you get a better sense of whether you may need to talk to your doctor about diabetes.
Other Signs of Diabetes
While craving carbs can be a sign of diabetes, it’s usually not the only one you would experience. Diabetes often presents itself with several other signs that, when combined with carb cravings, might suggest it’s time to get checked.
- Increased thirst and frequent urination: High blood sugar levels can cause the kidneys to work harder to filter out excess glucose, leading to increased thirst and then more frequent trips to the bathroom.
- Unexplained weight loss: If your body isn’t getting enough glucose for energy, it may start breaking down muscle and fat. You may start to lose weight without attempting to do so.
- Extreme fatigue: Persistent tiredness, even after getting enough rest, can be a sign that your body is struggling to manage blood sugar levels.
- Blurred vision: High blood sugar levels can affect the lenses in your eyes, causing blurred vision.
- Slow healing of cuts and bruises: High glucose levels can affect circulation and delay the healing process.
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet: Nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels can lead to a tingling or numb sensation in the extremities.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms in addition to craving carbs, talk to your doctor about getting screened for diabetes.
What Should You Do if You’re Craving Carbs?
If you find yourself frequently craving carbs and you’re concerned about the frequency or intensity, here are some steps you can take. These steps will also provide you with ample material to discuss with your doctor.
- Monitor your symptoms: Keep track of your cravings and any other symptoms you might be experiencing, such as those listed above. Try keeping a symptom journal or notes page on your phone.
- Consider your diet: Are you eating a balanced diet with enough protein, fiber, and healthy fats? Sometimes carb cravings are a sign not of diabetes, but of your diet needing a little adjustment.
- Get a blood test: If you’re concerned about diabetes, a simple blood test can check your blood sugar levels and help determine if there’s a problem.
Managing Carb Cravings and Diabetes at Entelechy Life
At Entelechy Life, we understand that cravings can be confusing and sometimes worrying. If you’re concerned about your carb cravings or signs of diabetes, we’re here to help you find answers. Our functional medicine approach looks at the whole person, not just the symptoms, to help you achieve your best health yet.
Don’t hesitate to reach out. We offer personalized care to help you understand your body’s signals and take control of your health.