Why Do I Crave Sweets After I Eat - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spleen is considered one of the key organs responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption. However, in Eastern medicine, the spleen is not viewed in the same way as it is in Western medicine. Rather, the spleen is conceptualized as an energetic entity that plays a strong role in digesting food and extracting energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”).

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When there is a deficiency in spleen qi — commonly referred to as a spleen qi deficiency — it can cause poor digestion and inadequate nutrient absorption.[6], [7], [21] This deficiency often manifests as cravings for sugar after a meal.[8]

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Eating too many sweets is believed to damage the spleen, potentially leading to a vicious cycle as a weak spleen triggers sugar cravings and resulting sugar consumption further weakens the energetic entity. Fortunately, a spleen qi deficiency can often be improved through acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs.

Tips for Spleen Qi Deficiency-Related Sugar Cravings: To address spleen qi deficiency and reduce sugar cravings from a TCM perspective, focus on supporting the spleen’s function and promoting healthy digestion. This can be achieved through the following tips:

Diet Therapy: The foods you eat greatly impact the spleen. Try to avoid consuming too many sweets while increasing spleen-supporting foods like lentils, squash, sweet potatoes, dates, and ginger.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is believed to effectively harmonize and enhance spleen qi, addressing deficiency by stimulating specific energy pathways to boost digestion and overall vitality.[22]
Chinese herbs: Codonopsis and atractylodes rhizome are two Chinese herbs well-known for their ability to improve spleen qi deficiency.[23], [24] You can work with an acupuncturist or herbalist to find the right dosages for you.

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I also want to emphasize that Chinese herbs are a crutch like any other medicine — albeit an all-natural one, making them more attractive to individuals interested in alternative remedies. Still, herbs don’t address the psychology behind sugar cravings, which is necessary for a well-rounded and holistic approach. Let’s dive into that next.

Psychological Triggers for Sugar Cravings After a Meal

Delving into eating psychology to understand sugar cravings provides a holistic approach, revealing that these cravings often stem from more than just physical hunger. It explores how emotions, stress, and ingrained habits can influence dietary choices, offering deeper insights into the root causes of cravings.

Here are some common psychological reasons for craving sugar after a meal: