The medication side effect no one mentions

Good morning healthy mail family!

"I'm doing everything right - eating well, exercising - but I can't stop craving sugar and I'm gaining weight for no reason."

I've been getting messages like this more and more lately. People who are genuinely committed to healthy eating but feel like they're fighting an uphill battle.

Here's what many doctors don't tell you: Certain common medications can completely alter your appetite, metabolism, and food cravings.

The medications that commonly affect eating and weight:

Antidepressants (especially SSRIs) Can increase carb cravings and slow metabolism. Many people report intense sugar cravings that weren't there before starting medication.

Birth control pills Hormonal changes can trigger increased appetite and water retention. Some women report craving foods they never wanted before.

Antihistamines (like Benadryl, even some allergy meds) Block histamine, which plays a role in appetite regulation. Can make you feel constantly hungry.

Beta-blockers for blood pressure Can slow your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight, even with the same diet and exercise routine.

Steroids (prednisone, cortisone) Dramatically increase appetite and cravings, especially for carbs and sweets. Weight gain is almost inevitable.

Some diabetes medications Insulin and certain other diabetes drugs can cause weight gain and increased hunger.

Here's what's frustrating: Most doctors focus on the primary benefits of these medications but don't always discuss the eating-related side effects.

What you can do about it:

Don't stop your medication without talking to your doctor. But you can have an informed conversation about alternatives or strategies to manage side effects.

Adjust your expectations and strategies. If your medication increases cravings, that's not a failure of willpower - it's a biological reality that requires different tactics.

Focus on what you can control:

• Eating regular, protein-rich meals to stabilize blood sugar

• Having healthier options ready for when cravings hit

• Staying hydrated (thirst often mimics hunger)

• Getting enough sleep (lack of sleep amplifies medication-related hunger)

Work with your body, not against it. If your medication makes you crave sweets, having satisfying healthy alternatives becomes even more important.

The key insight: Understanding that your struggles might be medication-related can actually be liberating. It's not about lacking willpower - it's about adapting your approach.

This is exactly why having go-to recipes for cravings becomes crucial.

When medication increases your sweet tooth, my dessert collection has 30 recipes that satisfy those cravings without the blood sugar spikes that make medication-related hunger even worse.

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Things like chocolate avocado mousse that tastes indulgent but stabilizes blood sugar, or energy balls that satisfy cookie cravings without the crash.

Have you noticed changes in your appetite or cravings after starting a new medication? Hit reply and tell me - this affects way more people than most realize!

Here's to working with your body, not against it! Sarah

P.S. - Always talk to your doctor about side effects you're experiencing. Sometimes there are alternative medications with fewer appetite-related effects, or strategies they can suggest to help manage the changes.