“Some foods such as bread, ice cream, pastries and chocolate, and drinks such as tea and coffee induce an instant high, because they induce a rise in the blood sugar level,” says Alex Kirchen, a nutritionist at the Laboratory Health Club, London. “This affects the nervous system and the brain, which rely on a continuous supply of blood sugar, or glucose, for healthy function. The down side is that, because the blood sugar level shoots up so quickly, your body secretes too much insulin to compensate and so the effect is short-lived. Afterwards blood sugar levels drop even lower. This makes you crave even more food.”
To break out of this pattern, the solution is to keep the blood sugar level steady throughout the day. Kirchen recommends cutting down on foods that provoke this reaction, that is, any food that makes you want more (such as cakes, biscuits, fizzy drinks, chocolate, alcohol, coffee and tea).
“You should also eat small amounts of highly nutritious food regularly,” says Kirchen. “Try to increase your intake of fresh vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, beans and pulses – all of which promote a slow, steady release of glucose (blood sugar). If you still feel hungry, snack on healthy foods such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds, almonds and cashews.”
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