When we are trying to slim down and stick to an appropriate diet, the most challenging part is when you produce powerful desires for sugary foods. Cravings for food can be much more powerful than normal hunger pangs, and the intensity can encourage people to binge on certain foods.
Studies suggest that the most common foods clients crave are sweet snacks such as sweets, cakes or other confectionery. When desires for food are repeatedly given into they can become addictions that can lead to someone becoming a chocoholic.
There are plenty of reasons for food cravings. If somebody has low serotonin levels or the output of endorphins are not controlled then it is understood that our brain and emotional behaviour may be impacted. Hypnotherapy helps to control this, and alters the specific area of the brain that has become conditioned to want food. Particular foods that are easily obtainable, often cheap to buy and well-marketed can have a damaging effect on our health. Obesity and other health conditions can develop from eating too many foods packed with sugar and unhealthy fats, including, amongst others, high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes. There have been some significant developments in hypnosis and NLP techniques that can now help people eliminate urges for food and therefore prevent them endangering their health.
Chocolate provides a chemical called phenylethylamine, which is an amino acid that controls the production of endorphins hormones from the body that are well known for making us feel happy and relaxed. What will happen over time is that our brain links the good emotions to chocolate and so begins to crave it (our reward system). A hypnotic approach will help to break the association and also create distractions so that the brain is focused on something more applicable, such as sleep and physical exercise
The body may also begin to crave other ingredients of the food for instance salt and iron, an excess of which can also be harmful. The body has got its own method of telling us the nutrients it needs. However, if internal messages become confused, the body can believe it is consuming something that is good for it, when in fact it is damaging.
For instance, during pregnancy a woman experiences food craving as the body requires certain additional nutrients during that time. These can more often than not be strange urges, like red or bloody meat, in which case your body may be telling you it lacks iron. For many of us though, eating too much and being over-weight can cause numerous health issues, including weight problems. Hypnotherapy aims to change certain habits in the brain to curb these traits and avoid more complicated problems linked to being overweight.
If you require further advice or interested in seeking help, then please either email alma@mindserenity.co.uk or call Alma 01737 812498
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published 21st April 2014 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.