Craving sweets after dinner? Discover the reason why!
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Most of us can relate—after a satisfying dinner, you find yourself reaching for that sweet treat or ice cream despite feeling full.
But why do we crave something sweet without those hunger pangs?
There may be several reasons behind post-dinner cravings, such as nutritional deficiencies, an imbalanced diet, stress, and certain chemicals in the brain.
Hunger and fullness are guided by the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which signal to the brain when it is time to start or stop eating.
However, oftentimes, a food craving surpasses these signals.
Sweet foods activate the brain’s reward system, which causes a flood of dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that regulate mood and signal pleasure. This can be further reinforced by the body and mind spending time 'waiting' for a reward, which often leads to a vicious cycle.
Dietitian and founder of Nutrolution, Rachel Richardson, said that certain diets, like the Keto diet, could be blamed for this.
‘People following a keto diet might want something sweet to satisfy that nutrient need,’ she said.
A hallmark of the keto diet is drastically limiting carbohydrates. Without those, you may be left craving carb-heavy sweets like lolly and sugar. Not getting enough nutrients, such as carbs, can also lead to low blood sugar, leading to more cravings for sugary snacks.
Tastebuds become accustomed to savoury foods, making us crave something sweeter.
This could be due to sensory-specific satiety (SSS), also known as 'dessert stomach.'
SSS is when eating a specific food becomes less pleasurable as it makes us full and uncomfortable. But coming across a food you might not eat often could override your feeling of fullness.
If you find yourself reaching for something sweet after dinner, it could also be a sign of deficiencies in vitamins like zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
For instance, magnesium regulates insulin production, stabilising blood sugar levels to prevent dessert cravings. Insufficient magnesium levels can cause a drop in blood sugar, which in turn could lead to cravings for desserts.
Stress and emotional distress can lead to cravings for sugar and desserts. This is because consuming sugar can increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can boost one's mood and alleviate feelings of anxiety or depression.
Sweet food also activates our brain’s reward system, which causes neurons to release dopamine and makes the brain believe it experienced something positive.
‘This can explain why people turn to sweets as a form of reward or comfort at the end of the day,’ Allyson Brigham, a dietitian at Los Robles Regional Hospital in California, shared.
‘Over time, eating something sweet after dinner can become a habitual behaviour. Your brain forms associations, and your body expects this sugary treat as part of your evening routine,’ she added.
So, how can you combat those cravings?
Members, do you also have a craving for sweets after dinner? To be honest, I’m guilty of this, too! Do you have other tips to resist the temptation? Let us know in the comments below.
But why do we crave something sweet without those hunger pangs?
There may be several reasons behind post-dinner cravings, such as nutritional deficiencies, an imbalanced diet, stress, and certain chemicals in the brain.
Hunger and fullness are guided by the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which signal to the brain when it is time to start or stop eating.
However, oftentimes, a food craving surpasses these signals.
There may be several reasons behind post-dinner cravings, such as nutritional deficiencies, an imbalanced diet, stress, and certain chemicals in the brain. Credit: Michaela Baum/Unsplash
Sweet foods activate the brain’s reward system, which causes a flood of dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that regulate mood and signal pleasure. This can be further reinforced by the body and mind spending time 'waiting' for a reward, which often leads to a vicious cycle.
Dietitian and founder of Nutrolution, Rachel Richardson, said that certain diets, like the Keto diet, could be blamed for this.
‘People following a keto diet might want something sweet to satisfy that nutrient need,’ she said.
A hallmark of the keto diet is drastically limiting carbohydrates. Without those, you may be left craving carb-heavy sweets like lolly and sugar. Not getting enough nutrients, such as carbs, can also lead to low blood sugar, leading to more cravings for sugary snacks.
Tastebuds become accustomed to savoury foods, making us crave something sweeter.
This could be due to sensory-specific satiety (SSS), also known as 'dessert stomach.'
SSS is when eating a specific food becomes less pleasurable as it makes us full and uncomfortable. But coming across a food you might not eat often could override your feeling of fullness.
If you find yourself reaching for something sweet after dinner, it could also be a sign of deficiencies in vitamins like zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
For instance, magnesium regulates insulin production, stabilising blood sugar levels to prevent dessert cravings. Insufficient magnesium levels can cause a drop in blood sugar, which in turn could lead to cravings for desserts.
Stress and emotional distress can lead to cravings for sugar and desserts. This is because consuming sugar can increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can boost one's mood and alleviate feelings of anxiety or depression.
Sweet food also activates our brain’s reward system, which causes neurons to release dopamine and makes the brain believe it experienced something positive.
‘This can explain why people turn to sweets as a form of reward or comfort at the end of the day,’ Allyson Brigham, a dietitian at Los Robles Regional Hospital in California, shared.
‘Over time, eating something sweet after dinner can become a habitual behaviour. Your brain forms associations, and your body expects this sugary treat as part of your evening routine,’ she added.
So, how can you combat those cravings?
- Eating a more balanced meal is key. Ensure your dinner includes a balance of protein, fibre, and healthy fats to reduce post-meal cravings.
- Get more variety in your diet to prevent cravings, and avoid following the same regular cooking rotation.
- Swap lolly or ice cream for sweet fruits, such as berries, mixed with Greek yoghurt or almond butter. These foods contain some sugar but are also packed with protein and fibre, keeping you fuller for longer.
- Avoid getting into the reward cycle of binging on sweets—if you must, have a small treat or portion after dinner.
- Get out of the house and get active after dinner—walking or jogging can help you deal with stress and distract yourself from cravings.
Members, do you also have a craving for sweets after dinner? To be honest, I’m guilty of this, too! Do you have other tips to resist the temptation? Let us know in the comments below.
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