Expert Advice

Acella Pharmaceuticals is partnering with Angela Brown, LPT, CPT, FDN-P, to bring greater awareness to the importance of thyroid care and education. This post is sponsored by Acella Pharmaceuticals and should not be construed as medical advice.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or health care provider if you believe you need medical treatment and before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet or nutrition routine. Acella Pharmaceuticals does not endorse, promote or sponsor any products or brands mentioned in this article. The views expressed are those of the author.

Most people think sugar cravings are just a matter of willpower. But if you're living with hypothyroidism, hormone imbalances, or constant fatigue, those cravings may be your body signaling something deeper – inflammation, blood sugar instability, or even nutrient deficiencies.^1-3

As a practitioner in functional medicine, I’ve seen it time and time again: sugar cravings aren’t just about a “sweet tooth.” Cravings are often connected to the way your thyroid, hormones, and metabolism are functioning. And when sugar intake gets out of balance, it may create a cycle of inflammation that makes symptoms worse.³

Let’s break it down.

How Sugar Triggers Inflammation

Sugar itself isn't "evil." The problem comes when our diet is overloaded with processed sugars, refined carbs, and hidden sweeteners. Here's how excess sugar drives inflammation in the body:

• Blood sugar spikes and crashes – Every time you eat a high-sugar food, your blood sugar shoots up. Insulin then rushes in to lower it. When this cycle happens repeatedly, it creates stress on the body and fuels inflammation.⁴
• Cortisol overdrive – Big sugar crashes activate your stress response and spike cortisol, which in turn disrupts thyroid hormone conversion and sex hormone balance.
• Inflammatory pathways – Excess glucose increases the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that can damage tissues and trigger inflammatory cascades throughout the body.⁷

For someone already living with an underactive thyroid, this extra inflammation may make their symptoms worse.

Why Hypothyroidism Fuels Sugar Cravings

One of the most frustrating aspects of hypothyroidism is how it affects your metabolism and cravings. If you’ve ever wondered why you reach for carbohydrates or sugar more often, here’s why:

• Low energy output – Thyroid hormones regulate how efficiently your body converts food into energy. An underactive thyroid may slow metabolism and produce less energy. Sugar may become a “quick fix” fuel.^1,2
• Impaired blood sugar control – Thyroid dysfunction affects insulin sensitivity, making it harder for your body to stabilize blood sugar.¹
• Hormone Imbalances – Low thyroid often pairs with other hormonal imbalances (estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol) that may also intensify cravings.^2,8,9

If you feel like your sugar cravings are out of control, it may no be a lack of willpower – it may be a sign that your thyroid and hormones need more support.

Breaking the Cycle: Smarter Nutrition for Thyroid Health

The good news? You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through cravings. Support your body with balanced nutrition to help regulate blood sugar, calm inflammation, and reduce those intense “must-have sugar now” moments.

Here are some practical strategies you can start today:

• Hydrate first – Often, cravings are dehydration in disguise. Drink water before reaching for a snack.
• Prioritize protein – Aim for at least 20g to 30g of protein per meal to stabilize blood sugar and keep cravings in check.
• Pair carbs with fiber and fat – Instead of eating carbs alone, balance them with fiber and healthy fats to slow digestion and prevent spikes.
• Focus on nutrient-rich foods – Fulfill nutritional gaps to feel fuller longer and reduce the urge to reach for a quick-energy sugary snack. Sugar cravings may be the body’s way of signaling it needs nutrients, such as magnesium, zinc, and chromium, which are found in whole, nutrient-rich foods, like spinach, chickpeas, avocados, and quinoa, and play a role in blood sugar regulation.
• Check your sleep and stress – Poor sleep and chronic stress can elevate cortisol levels, which may lead to increased sugar cravings. Prioritizing rest and stress management can dramatically reduce the urge to snack on sweets.

The Bigger Picture: Supporting Your Thyroid Through Balance

Sugar cravings aren’t just a “bad habit.” They’re a window into what your body may be struggling with internally. If you’re living with an underactive thyroid, talk to your healthcare provider about concerns you may have related to sugar cravings, blood sugar spikes, and inflammation.

Your thyroid thrives when your body is nourished, not deprived. Instead of focusing on cutting everything out or relying solely on willpower, the goal is to achieve balance, restore energy, and finally feel like yourself again. Every balanced meal you eat is a step toward lowering inflammation, stabilizing hormones, and reclaiming your energy.

REFERENCES: 1. Eom, Y. S., Wilson, J. R., & Bernet, V. J. (2022). Links between Thyroid Disorders and Glucose Homeostasis. Diabetes & metabolism journal, 46(2), 239–256. https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2022.0013. 2. Amin, A., Dhillo, W. S., & Murphy, K. G. (2011). The central effects of thyroid hormones on appetite. Journal of thyroid research, 2011, 306510. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/306510. 3. Agarwal, K., Franks, A. T., Zhang, X., Schisterman, E., Mumfordd, S. L., & Joseph, P. V. (2023). Association of inflammation biomarkers with food cravings and appetite changes across the menstrual cycle. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 56, 193–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.06.004. 4. Avner, S., & Robbins, T. (2025). A Scoping Review of Glucose Spikes in People Without Diabetes: Comparing Insights from Grey Literature and Medical Research. Clinical medicine insights. Endocrinology and diabetes, 18, 11795514251381409. https://doi.org/10.1177/11795514251381409. 5. Liu, J., Pan, S., Wang, X., Liu, Z., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Role of advanced glycation end products in diabetic vascular injury: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives. European journal of medical research, 28(1), 553. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01431-w. 6. Saran, S., Gupta, B. S., Philip, R., Singh, K. S., Bende, S. A., Agroiya, P., & Agrawal, P. (2016). Effect of hypothyroidism on female reproductive hormones. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 20(1), 108–113. 7. Dittrich, R., Beckmann, M. W., Oppelt, P. G., Hoffmann, I., Lotz, L., Kuwert, T., & Mueller, A. (2011). Thyroid hormone receptors and reproduction. Journal of reproductive immunology, 90(1), 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2011.02.009.

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