In this episode, I break down one of the most misunderstood drivers of cravings — insulin — and why what you’ve been told about sugar, discipline, and willpower is only part of the story.
This is where science meets self-awareness.
Because once you understand what’s actually happening in your body…
you stop blaming yourself.
Insulin — The Hormone That Keeps You Alive
Before we talk about cravings, we need to understand insulin.
Insulin is not the enemy.
It’s a survival hormone.
It’s released by the pancreas when your blood sugar rises, and its job is to:
→ Store energy so your body can use it later
That storage happens in two ways:
- First as glycogen (stored sugar)
- Then as fat if there’s excess
Without insulin, I wouldn’t survive.
None of us would.
What Actually Drives a Craving
Here’s the truth most people haven’t been taught:
Cravings are not caused by sugar alone
They’re driven by a rapid DROP in insulin
When insulin spikes and then crashes, my body reads that as:
“We need energy — now.”
That’s when cravings hit.
Not because I lack discipline.
But because my body is responding exactly how it’s designed to.
Why I Might Be Craving Without Eating Sugar
I could be:
- Avoiding sweets
- Choosing sugar-free options
- Drinking diet sodas
- Using stevia or monk fruit
…and still experiencing cravings.
Why?
Because my body responds not just to sugar…
but to the taste of sweetness itself.
The Anticipation Effect
When I taste something sweet, my brain signals:
“Sugar is coming.”
So my body prepares.
→ Insulin is released in anticipation
Even if there are:
- Zero calories
- No actual sugar
My body still reacts.
And when insulin drops…
💥 That’s the craving.
The Hidden Loop
This is the cycle I might be stuck in without realizing it:
- I consume something sweet (real or artificial)
- Insulin rises
- Insulin drops
- I crave
- Repeat
This isn’t about overeating.
It’s about what my body is being trained to expect.
This Changes Everything
When I understand this, I stop asking:
“Why can’t I control myself?”
And start asking:
“What is my body responding to?”
Because cravings are not random.
They are biological signals.
Download my free guide, Calm the Craving: 7 Steps to Break Emotional and Binge Eating, and finally end the cycle of out-of-control eating: www.sherryshaban.com
Work With Sherry Shaban:
Book your FREE 30-minute Food Freedom Call and start your journey to lasting change! www.sherryshabanfitness.com/clarity
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