Why are carbs so addicting?

[Anonymous]

Not sure addicting is the right word but what is it abut carbs that makes you want to eat them. I’m talking about bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. None of these has particularly astounding flavor. I feel so much better when I don’t eat the above along with no sugar/sweets. I love awesome. I can honestly saw that a strawberry takes way better than a potato. I don’t have a sweet tooth so avoiding sweets isn’t a problem but it’s those dumb carb heavy fillers that always get me.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. I am a full on carb lover but even I know they are not good for me and make me feel gross. But they really do taste good.

[Anonymous]

Your body needs carbs.

[Anonymous]

I am a potatoholic, particularly in chip or fry form. However, I love all forms, baked, mashed, au gratin, scalloped, etc. I am not one that can eat "a few" chips or fries. I will eat the whole bag or serving. I am best off avoiding them. I don't avoid starchy carbs altogether but I do limit them. I love bread, pasta and rice but I don't have the problem stopping at a reasonable portion with those foods. I made pasta as a side with dinner last night and I was able to stop at a small serving.

I like sweets but don't have the same reaction to those either.

I think carbs activate the dopamine sensors in the brain.

[Anonymous]

Gut bacteria that feed on sugars.

[Anonymous]

Glucose spikes and then crashes - you learn this from a continuous glucose monitor

[Anonymous]

Hot fresh bread is what dreams are made of

[Anonymous]

I'm in weight loss mode now and then I will be in maintenance mode....and for me, both modes involve eliminating baked goods from my diet, essentially. I know they're terrible for me. But man, do I love warm bread, muffins, cake, croissants, a good grilled cheese sandwich....

I've gone months without them at various points in my life, and the cravings do not subside (some people claim they do after avoiding them for a while. Lies.)

[Anonymous]

There seems to be decent evidence that carb tolerance is variable. It’s very inflammatory for some, for some it leads to significant weight gain, and yet others are tolerant. There is definitely a difference between super refined sugar and whole wheat bread. Seems the super refined stuff has the most addicting characteristics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in weight loss mode now and then I will be in maintenance mode....and for me, both modes involve eliminating baked goods from my diet, essentially. I know they're terrible for me. But man, do I love warm bread, muffins, cake, croissants, a good grilled cheese sandwich....

I've gone months without them at various points in my life, and the cravings do not subside (some people claim they do after avoiding them for a while. Lies.)

Like many things, this varies. I kind of reset after a good night’s sleep. If I don’t eat those kinds of carbs, for the most part, I won’t want any. If I eat one potato chip though, I’ll want the whole bag. After about a month, chips and cookies won’t even taste like food. But, if I eat more than a tiny taste, I’ll crave more.

I think one of the issues is fiber. I don’t crave oatmeal, and it’s easy to stop eating it — even mixed with a bit of peanut butter and a few chocolate chips. I think another issue is that most of the carbs that lead to cravings are also processed foods that are deliberately designed to make people hunger for more of them. Homemade carbs don’t do that as much. I think another issue in addition to glucose spikes and lack of fiber is that these foods have very little nutritional value. Perhaps it’s easier to eat less of more nutritionally dense foods, where we might crave more of less nutritionally dense foods because you have to eat a lot of them to get a meaningful amount of protein or vitamin C or whatever.

These are my random thoughts though, so take it with a grain of salt — and a few chips. Lol

[Anonymous]

For me, they make my stomach feel comfortable and I feel relaxed. I miss you, carbs! It’s so hard for me to go to bed feeling hungry!

[Anonymous]

I have no self control with carbs. The warm bread out of the oven? I could eat an entire loaf in one sitting. Same for any baked goods.

For now, I have swore off most carbs, although occaisionally will go to town on one sweet potato for myself (while family eats white potatoes).

[Anonymous]

Carbs are necessary. If you want to eat carbs just eat your protein and veggies first.

[Anonymous]

Carbs are not necessary. Once you stop eating them, you don’t miss them.

[Anonymous]

Carbs are so satisfying and filling. Lean protein and vegetables are not. I just don't feel sated the same way after a meal with no carbs