Regardless of how obviously or subtly your cravings are harassing you, you can bet that hormonal imbalance is fueling them. Chronic levels of stress cause increased cortisol levels in your body, which shut down your digestive system in favor of survival. In this survival state, your body thinks food is scarce, and it will do whatever it takes to keep you alive. This causes the body to store extra fat around your middle and tricks you into overeating because your brain thinks that it might not get another meal. And finally, there’s the sugar addiction itself. Did you know that when we consume sugar, it causes the brain to release dopamine1, the exact same neurotransmitter that skyrockets when you do cocaine? You experience that tell-tale sugar high, followed by a crash, and then you’re left craving more. Even if you think that you don’t eat that much sugar, you can still be addicted to carbs, which the body then converts into—you guessed it!—sugar. If you pass on the chocolate but indulge in pretzels, chips, and bagels, you are still dealing with a sugar issue. Other studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of citrus essential oils2, and grapefruit proves to be the most effective at reducing cravings while improving insulin resistance to combat the effects of metabolic syndrome. I love adding grapefruit slices to my water or a drop of EO in my smoothies or water infusions on a daily basis for a fresh zing that fights cravings. Other citrus oils like bergamot and lemon also help your body to balance your mood while reducing cortisol levels naturally and can curb those cravings. Cassia and cinnamon bark3 are other favorites of mine to keep the body feeling full, balance blood sugar levels, and support healthy digestion. Ginger is also another option that helps to support a healthy digestive system, which also needs some love if chronic stress is taking a toll on your GI tract. It’s important to note that not all essential oils are safe to digest. The FDA has a current list of approved essential oils that are generally recognized as safe. For more details on the essential oils you should and should never ingest, check out this piece. Ingredients: Add essential oils to diffuser with water three times a day. Add the essential oils to a 5 mL glass rollerball bottle and fill the rest with a carrier oil of choice. Replace top and cap, and swirl to combine. To use, roll on your pulse points and inhale deeply to curb cravings. Add the wheels to a large glass pitcher and drop in the essential oils. Cover with ice and carefully pour in the water. Steep for at least 30 minutes, but 2 to 3 hours is preferred. Sip throughout the day to banish cravings and sustain your mind and body. Even more important than using essential oils is identifying and getting to know your own triggers so that you can use essential oils preventively. Ask yourself: What causes you to crave certain foods in the first place? Is it lack of sleep? Chronic stress? A social gathering of wine drinkers? Your period? Whatever it may be, try to track it down and be proactive with essential oil. And don’t forget to fuel your body properly, get it moving, hydrate, and calm those stress levels to keep your hormones happy!
