Why Do We Crave Sweets After Every Meal?

By Vanshika Gaur
25 Jun 2025, 10:00 IST

You may have noticed that we often crave sweets after having a meal. It can be due to numerous reasons like blood sugar fluctuations, sleep deprivation, and more. Tap to know why it happens !

Blood Sugar Fluctuations

When we eat food packed with carbohydrates, our blood sugar rises and suddenly drops, triggering sugar cravings.

Emotional Eating

We also crave sugary foods after having a meal due to stressors like anxiety, tiredness, and mood. It is also known as emotional eating.

Insulin Spike

A high carbohydrate meal releases insulin in high levels, causing it to spike and lowering blood sugar, making us crave sugary foods after a meal.

Poor Nutrient Balance

If the meal is imbalanced and does not contain the proper amount of protein, fibre, and healthy fats, it may cause us to crave sugary foods.

Sleep Deprivation

When we are low on sleep, it disrupts our hunger hormones like lepton and ghrelin, making us crave sugary foods even after having a meal.

Information Credits

According to PubMed, we crave sugar after having a meal due to insulin Spike, sleep deprivation, and more. It is advisable to consult a dietitian for personalised suggestions.