Sweet Cravings? Chocolate ?

[PhysicsOnIce]

I recently increased my skating regime up to approximately 12 +/- 2 hours per week from around 5 hours, due to finally being able to join our competitive team. I've been skating at this level for a little under four weeks. However, I have noticed that I am having really strong sweet cravings and that I am eating a lot more than I would normally.  I know that obviously increasing my skating regime means I need more calories, but I don't want to start gaining weight because I am eating what I am craving.  I am very specifically craving chocolate. I even caught myself craving chocolate milk, which I would normally DO NOT LIKE.

I don't remember having this when skating as a kid, but then again my memory is horrid.
NO! I am not pregnant.  check that already and mother nature confirmed.

Can anyone explain to what the heck is going on? Is this normal?

[jbruced]

Just my opinion, but I think cravings are an indication of a deficiency in your diet. Some how your body knows it needs something in chocolate.

[PhysicsOnIce]

That's the mentality I have as well, but really chocolate???
I know it is an antioxidant and has a low glycemic index, but  95% of the time it is right after I get home from skating, which to me suggests that it is skating related.

[Loops]

I got nothing on causes of this, but will share that I hate peanut butter.  Probably one of the reasons I was kicked out of the US (haha).  But, before I had kids, I would get a massive PB craving about once a year.  It doesn't happen anymore, but my diet and probably my physiology have changed somewhat with the years.  So I agree that there's probably some nutritional thing going on, too.

I concur with you on chocolate milk (blech), BUT dark chocolate is actually good for you (small quantities, of course) for all the reasons you cite above.  I've discovered recently that while milk or semi-sweet chocolate makes me ill, dark chocolate doesn't.  I'm sure its the extra sugar and fat in them.  But the best part is, is plain, I don't really like dark chocolate that much, so when I crave, I eat WAY less.

My guess is it probably is skating related.  You've just worked out and your body wants compensation!  There are worse things to crave.  Like you know, peanut butter!   Or Ben and Jerry's......

[nicklaszlo]

If you increase your skating that much, you definitely need to change your diet.  Some coaches may have the expertise advise you on that, but you should also consider talking to a dietitian.

When I was training more for a different sport and became a vegetarian, my coach recommended that I eat lots of ice cream to ensure I got enough protein and fat.

[jbruced]

That's the mentality I have as well, but really chocolate???
I know it is an antioxidant and has a low glycemic index, but  95% of the time it is right after I get home from skating, which to me suggests that it is skating related.

It could be the need for sugar but I think maybe look into the vitamin and mineral content of chocolate to find a possible basis for the craving. The extra demand from the skating may be increasing your need for micronutrients.

[lutefisk]

You could be magnesium deficient.  Try swapping the chocolate for a food with above average magnesium content such as nuts or a leafy green vegetable and see if the craving subsides.

Or it could be that the increased work load has increased your need for antioxidants as a previous poster suggested.  Try swapping the chocolate for highly colored fruits and vegetables high in antioxidant content like sweet potato, peppers or blueberries. 

Or, just stick with the one that brung ya--Chocolate! (in moderation of course!)

[littlerain]

This thread just made me realize that skating again is probably what has made me SO much hungrier than usual. Lol. At least it all makes sense now lol

[pegasus99]

Dark chocolate is actually really good for you!

I'd just go with some really good stuff and savor it for all it's worth... 

[PhysicsOnIce]

Dark chocolate is actually really good for you!

I'd just go with some really good stuff and savor it for all it's worth... 

Living in Belgium makes even the cheapest chocolate the "Really good stuff". I actually bought  93% Dark Chocolate the other day.
I also started taking magnesium and calcium tablets, seems to have helped a lot.

[dlbritton]

Unfortunately chocolate is a migraine trigger  (the darker the chocolate the worse the headache). Alcohol is also a migraine trigger, but if I had to choose one, I would much rather be able to eat chocolate than drink wine or liquor.