I can't remember where I read this. I looked through Marrena's book but couldn't find it. Anyway, does anyone know what it means when you crave sugary crap? I've been craving it for the past two days. I'm under stress right now which may be why I'm craving it but I seem to remember it being connected with neurotransmitters as well. I ate a handful of jellybeans a little while ago and now I feel sick. Blech. What should I eat when I have one of these weird cravings to offset it?

Your body is trying to increase your serotonin level. This can happen sometimes with the diet. The goal of the diet is to have a moderate steady serotonin level. If your body is used to having a very high serotonin level, you will get cravings for sugar and starch.

Perhaps you are being too stringent on the diet? It's okay to have starchy foods, as long as the other half of your carbs are fruits and vegetables, and your meal also has protein and fat. If I were you I would eat a regular meal with a healthy starchy food in it, but make sure to eat it with protein, fat and fruits or vegetables too.

Also the need to raise serotonin is often triggered by stress, or sometimes by an instinctive rejection of the relaxed and sexual feelings that having high dopamine can bring.

I don't think I'm being too stringent with the diet, but my body probably is used to a higher serotonin level. I used to consume more caffeine and more sugary/starchy stuff and have been cutting back on those. Perhaps I'm cutting back too quickly. And I'm under a lot of stress at the moment. Thanks for your reply! You're so helpful!