Scientists suggest that carb cravings occur because of the effect that carbs (especially sugars) have on your brain. Consuming sugary foods increases the levels of the “feel-good” hormone (serotonin), making you correlate feeling good with having carbs. So eating carbs can actually make you want more.
What to do when you crave carbs?
- Cut out all starchy carbs for one week.
- Slash the sugary carbs too, including candy and sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Add some fat.
- After the first week, you can gradually add back high-quality starchy carbs, starting with breakfast.
How long does it take to lose carb cravings?
It takes two to three days of very-low-carb eating for the liver to start pumping out ketones, and research shows that cravings are significantly reduced almost immediately as people get into ketosis. The “expert” consensus seems to be that cravings will decrease noticeably within three to ten days.
How long does it take to detox from carbs?
According to James, "If you're cutting processed carbs, then it can be a short-term withdrawal effect, which reverses quickly." In fact, she says it should be no more than three days of this sluggishness before you feel back to normal. That happens once your body learns to use fat instead of carbs as fuel.