Championship magazine published my expert article on the topic: Why do you want fat, sweet or salty foods closer to bedtime?
The scientific explanation for why fat, sweets, or salty foods are cravings closer to bedtime has to do with how our bodies work and our lifestyles.
First of all, our hormones change during the day, which can affect our desire to eat. In the evening, levels of the hormone leptin, which controls satiety, may be lower, while levels of the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, may be higher. This can lead to a desire to eat more calorie-dense foods such as fatty, sweet or salty foods.
What problems in the body will tell us why we want to eat fat? sweet? salty?
I would like to remind you that the desire to eat fat, sweet or salty can be caused not only by physiological factors, but also by psychological factors. However, some problems in the body can affect our food preferences.
For example, the desire to eat fat may indicate a lack of fats in the body, which can occur with an improper diet or diseases that disrupt metabolism. Also, the desire to eat fat may be related to low levels of the hormone leptin, which regulates the feeling of satiety.
The desire to eat sweets may be associated with a lack of carbohydrates in the body or with low levels of serotonin, which in turn may cause a depressed mood and a desire to eat something sweet to improve your mood.
The desire to eat salty can indicate a sodium deficiency in the body. This can occur with fluid loss, such as sweating during physical activity, or with illnesses that are accompanied by high body temperature. Also, the desire to eat salty may be associated with impaired kidney function, which are involved in regulating the balance of electrolytes in the body.
Secondly, the level of stress and fatigue can be higher in the evening, which may cause a desire to quench stress and fatigue with food, especially those that contain a lot of sugar and fats. Also, we often relax in the evening, watching TV or spending time at the computer, which can trigger the desire for a snack.
Finally, our work lifestyle and eating schedules can cause us to eat more in the evening to make up for the calories lost during the day. If we skip breakfast or lunch, we may feel a strong hunger and desire to eat something caloric and full by evening.
In general, the desire to eat fatty, sweet or salty foods closer to bedtime is related to various factors, such as our hormonal background, stress and fatigue levels, and our lifestyle. To control the urge to eat these foods, you can try to maintain a dietary pattern and avoid late night snacking.
To name 5 reasons why we crave fat, sweets, salty foods at night?
Here are some possible reasons why we may want fat, sweet or salty late at night:
Physiological needs: At night, the levels of hormones that regulate appetite can change, leading to an increased sense of hunger and a desire to eat something in particular. Also, if there were not enough calories during the day, the desire to eat something nutritious, including fat, may arise in the evening.
Stress: Nighttime overeating is often associated with stress. Stress causes increased levels of the hormone cortisol, which increases hunger and makes us more prone to overeating.
Sleep Disorder: Lack of sleep or disrupted sleep patterns can also lead to an increase in appetite, including the desire to eat something fatty, sweet or salty.
Habit: If you are in the habit of snacking late at night, your body may request fatty, sweet or salty foods at this time of day.
Lack of certain nutrients: A lack of certain vitamins and minerals, such as iron, magnesium or zinc, can lead to a desire to eat something specific, such as sweet or salty. This can be especially true for women during menstruation, when the body loses a lot of iron.
Olga Dekker