Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I had a busy week with work and writing. It was a productive week on both counts. I’m still excited about my story, we’ve had some positive changes in my company that will definitely benefit me. So, it was a win-win this week.
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But enough about that. Today, I want to talk about something I’m sure everyone has experienced during the winter months, and that is, why do I crave carbs during the winter? I mean, I could eat potatoes and pasta all day long and still want more. And the sweets? Don’t get me started on chocolate. What the heck is going on?
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Well, I did a little research to answer this question, because I can eat a bunch of chocolate in a sitting when I’m watching TV or working on my writing. Why is that?
I found some interesting facts. During the winter months, we have less sunlight which has a direct effect on our serotonin levels. The more sunlight we have the higher our serotonin levels. So, that explains why we crave carbs and sugar during the winter months. These two foods also increase our serotonin levels which has a direct effect on our mood and emotions.
So, the saying that we’re basically plants with emotions seems to be true. We need sunlight to stabilize our serotonin which stabilizes our moods. Just ten to twenty minutes of sunlight a day can help during the winter.
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When you can’t get enough sunlight, it’s best to eat complex carbs like oats, sweet potatoes, or quinoa rice. Other alternatives include protein and fats like Greek yogurt, eggs, and fish.
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I know what you’re thinking. Those things don’t taste quite as good as a brownie or a donut, but if you’re watching your weight or trying to maintain your blood sugar levels then complex carbs and proteins are best for you.
Thanks for reading my post today. How about you? What do you do when those serotonin cravings hit? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!
