Candy, Cravings, and the Quiet Battle Inside

The scene was a rehab facility.

It was 8 a.m., and my father had just returned from the hospital the night before.

He had caught an infection in his leg following a recent amputation.

The wound care provider cleaned the open area and prepared it for a wound vac. My dad stared at his leg with a look of concern and sadness.

I spoke with the specialist, who mentioned how poorly his body responds to many antibiotics. Since we had recently completed his food intolerance testing, the conversation naturally turned to his gluten intolerance and its potential connection to antibiotic resistance.

That conversation spiraled into another — his diet.

My father has been a vegetarian for almost 30 years. The hospital had made notes to monitor his blood sugar more closely. It emphasized the urgent need for increased protein to support wound healing.

The problem?

His diet is complex. He is intolerant to many of the popular protein sources that vegetarians rely on.

Growing frustrated with the discussion, he finally said,

"I know one thing that I'm not intolerant to."

He paused, then added,

"Candy!"

It was said as a joke, but it wasn't really a joke to him.

That moment said everything about how sweets had been interwoven into his emotions.

Given his diabetes, that single sentence also explained a lot about how we ended up in this situation.

But to truly understand, we need to go back to what was happening inside his body.

Insert serotonin:

The "feel-good" neurotransmitter and hormone.

Serotonin is a natural chemical produced by the body, and about 90–95% of it is made by gut bacteria. It plays a significant role in mood regulation, digestion, food cravings, sleep, and even wound healing.

Research suggests that individuals with diabetes tend to have lower serotonin levels.

When serotonin is low, our brains often crave sugar to spike it artificially, temporarily lifting mood but eventually creating a vicious cycle of highs and crashes.

Low serotonin symptoms include anxiety, ADHD, depression, mood swings, pain sensitivity, and more.

Doctors frequently prescribe SSRIs (antidepressants) to manage these symptoms.

However, there are natural ways to support serotonin production through diet.

One key player is tryptophan, an amino acid found in many animal proteins and some plant foods, such as sunflower seeds and lentils.

Tryptophan is the essential building block your body uses to make serotonin.

Increasing foods rich in tryptophan and stabilizing blood sugar levels can support mood, energy, and healing without spiking cravings.

For my father, though, in that moment of discomfort, giving him a steak or a handful of sunflower seeds wouldn't instantly erase his sadness or frustration. Unfortunately, neither would giving him candy.

Candy cravers, click here