Breastfeeding mothers often crave chocolate and sugar postpartum for several reasons, which are rooted in both physiological and emotional factors.
In today’s post, let’s dive deeper into these causes to understand how to curb and manage these intense cravings more appropriately.
THE REAL REASON YOU CRAVE CHOCOLATE AND SUGAR WHEN BREASTFEEDING.
1. Increased Energy Demands
- Breastfeeding burns calories: Producing breast milk requires significant energy, burning an estimated 300-500 calories per day. This increased caloric demand can lead to cravings for quick sources of energy, such as sugar and chocolate.
- Blood sugar fluctuations: The energy expended during breastfeeding can cause drops in blood sugar levels, which may trigger cravings for sugary foods as a quick way to boost energy.
2. Hormonal Changes
- Prolactin and Oxytocin: These hormones are essential for milk production and bonding, but they can also affect mood and cravings. Oxytocin, in particular, is associated with feelings of happiness and comfort, which might drive cravings for comfort foods like chocolate.
- Serotonin boost: Chocolate is known to increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of well-being and relaxation. The body might crave chocolate as a natural way to boost mood during the emotionally challenging postpartum period.
3. Nutrient Deficiencies
- Magnesium deficiency: Breastfeeding mothers may experience a depletion of essential nutrients like magnesium, which can lead to cravings for chocolate. Chocolate contains small amounts of magnesium, and the body may signal this craving to replenish magnesium levels.
- Iron deficiency: Postpartum blood loss and the demands of breastfeeding can lead to low iron levels. Sometimes cravings for sweets, including chocolate, can be a sign of iron deficiency, as the body seeks quick energy sources.
4. Emotional Comfort
- Stress and exhaustion: Caring for a newborn can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Many people turn to sugary foods and chocolate as a source of comfort or as a way to relieve stress and improve mood temporarily.
- Reward and relaxation: Chocolate, in particular, is often associated with indulgence and self-care. Mothers may crave it as a small reward or moment of relaxation amidst the challenges of motherhood.
5. Sleep Deprivation
- Cravings for quick energy: Lack of sleep, which is common in the postpartum period, can cause fatigue and lead to cravings for sugar.
Two hormones help regulate hunger, ghrelin and leptin both of whom are affected by sleep. Ghrelin stimulates appetite whereas leptin decreases it.
When the body is sleep-deprived, the level of ghrelin spikes while the level of leptin falls, leading to an increase in hunger. The sleep-deprived brain needs more energy and therefore more food. The body seeks out quick, simple carbohydrates like those found in sugary foods to compensate for low energy levels.
These cravings are a natural response to the demands of breastfeeding and the postpartum period. While it’s okay to indulge in moderation, maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring adequate nutrient intake is essential for both the mother’s and the baby’s health.
Here are some healthy low-added sugar and no-added-sugar sweet treat ideas for you to try instead.
Do you crave chocolate when breastfeeding? Well, now you know there’s a reason behind it and maybe you don’t need to feel guilty about experiencing a natural aspect of the breastfeeding process.
To understand more 4th trimester truths no one talks about and tips to thrive follow this blog and the motherhood section here.