When a real craving hits, it\u2019s irrational. That means there must be a deeper need our body is trying to communicate to us in a very real, compelling (and hard to resist) way.<\/p>\n
Cravings are about much more than just what we put in our mouths though. They also have an emotional component.\u00a0 It\u2019s been found that when you have food cravings the part of your brain associated with emotions and memory is triggered. \u00a0We crave things we associate with comfort, things that trigger memories of feeling soothed and safe, or loved<\/p>\n
Food cravings are also about what you have habituated your body to associate with a quick fix and so your taste buds have adapted to that.<\/p>\n
Here are a few cravings you may have that could mean your body (or emotional self) is trying to tell you something:<\/p>\n
Chocolate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We all know about this one! (Most of us anyway). This craving for chocolat-ey decadence could mean you need more:<\/p>\n Magnesium:<\/a><\/strong> this is a common nutrient deficiency and has a big impact on our wellbeing. Not only does it help your muscles relax, it helps for stress and anxiety and is needed for over 300 biochemical processes in your body (read more about magnesium here<\/a>).<\/p>\n Seratonin: <\/strong>Chocolate \u00a0– more specifically cacao – boosts serotonin in your body \u2013 a feel-good neurochemical. That\u2019s why when you are feeling low, you may find yourself cuddling up with a giant slab all to yourself.<\/p>\n Of course there is sugar in chocolate too, so bear in mind that this may also be something to consider. We\u2019ll discuss sugar cravings next.<\/p>\n What to eat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The great thing about chocolate is that you can still enjoy the craving with a healthy version of chocolate such as raw cacao nibs<\/a> and powder<\/a>. Other sources of magnesium include dark leafy greens, seeds and nuts<\/a>, fish, beans and blackstrap molasses<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sugar<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This is a major one. The sweet tooth. This could be caused by a number of needs and is often the symptom of a blood sugar imbalance. You could need:<\/p>\n Chromium<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>which helps to regulate blood sugar levels<\/p>\n Phosphorus<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em> which helps your body produce energy<\/p>\n Sulfur<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>which helps detoxify your body<\/p>\n Tryptophan:<\/strong>\u00a0which regulates feel-good\u00a0serotonin<\/p>\n How to deal with it: <\/em><\/strong>make sure you are getting plenty of mineral rich nutrition<\/a> as minerals such as chromium help keep your blood sugar in check<\/a> and reduce sugar cravings (Fulvic acid<\/a> can help your body make the most of your minerals) If you need that something sweet, try eating low glycaemic foods such as apples or pears to give yourself some sweet energy without the crash, and use\u00a0low GI sweeteners <\/a>or raw honey<\/a>. Bear in mind that sugar cravings could also mean a parasite infestation<\/a> or Candida overgrowth<\/a> and consider looking into these issues and doing a cleanse if it seems necessary.<\/p>\n Refined Carbs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Oh those carbs! Craving foods based on white flour may indicate insulin resistance and poor blood sugar control. As with sugar, refined carbs spike your blood sugar and if you body isn\u2019t controlling your blood sugar very well, you could find yourself in a vicious cycle of peaks and lows and cravings, as well as picking up unwanted weight, particularly around your middle. Because its not so obviously \u2018sugary\u2019 people may not realise it\u2019s a blood sugar issue when craving biscuits, noodles, white bread and pasta. This could indicate a need for:<\/p>\n Chromium<\/a> <\/strong>to help stabilise blood sugar<\/p>\n Fibre<\/a><\/strong> to slow down your body\u2019s processing of sugars<\/p>\n Nitrogen<\/strong> which is an essential component of nucleic acids and\u00a0protein<\/p>\n What to eat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Include more fiber in your diet for better blood sugar control and eat more chromium and mineral-rich <\/a>fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, spinach, kale<\/a>, beetroot, avocado, broccoli and celery. Fruits and veggies are particularly rich in nitrogen and fibre too.<\/p>\n Salt<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Strangely enough craving salt<\/a> can mean you are underhydrated. You need minerals with your water intake to keep the fluids in your body balanced and the more dehydrated you are the more you need salts, as salt helps your body retain water. That\u2019s why athletes make sure they get in electrolytes (mineral salts) with their drinks. Salt also helps balance the pH of your body.<\/p>\n What to eat<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Mineral rich foods such as seaweeds<\/a> (nori<\/a>, kelp) and super seeds like hemp<\/a> and chia<\/a>. Nuts<\/a>, seeds, legumes, whole grains<\/a>, fruits and vegetables. Using a mineral rich unprocessed natural salt<\/a> in your cooking is also an obvious way. Coconut water is a delicious option too – chock full of electrolytes and wonderfully hydrating.<\/p>\n Oily food<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n That greasy lasagne or toasted sarmie could mean you\u2019re needing:<\/p>\n Essential fatty Acids: <\/strong>they\u2019re exactly that: essential. Fat is extremely important for your body, being used to make hormones and tissue as well as provide fuel and help cells membranes function correctly.<\/p>\n Where to get them<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The trick with fats is to go for the healthy ones instead of the deep fried fast food variety.You can get healthy essential fatty acids in cod liver oil (be sure to get a heavy metal free brand<\/a>), hemp seed<\/a>, flaxseeds<\/a>, chia seeds<\/a>, walnuts and seaweeds as oils such as coconut oil, flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil<\/a>. If you are not vegan, some people are great proponents of \u00a0grass-fed butter and ghee<\/a>.<\/p>\n And more unusual cravings\u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Some people have cravings for non \u201cfood\u201d things with little nutritional value like ice (crunching on it), clay, dirt and chalk. It could be a general mineral deficiency, or something such as needing iron. \u00a0This most often happens during pregnancy or with children. Quite a bizarre version of this is craving cigarette butts! Have you ever craved cigarettes butts?<\/p>\n What to eat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Plenty of dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds cherries and vitamin C<\/a> rich foods such as citrus, rosehip tea and acai berries<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can re-train your taste buds to prefer healthier options by replacing unhealthy choices with healthy ones and soon you may find you crave those options instead. A healthy, balanced diet of nutrient rich, fresh organic foods and good fats should go a long way to helping you conquer those\u00a0 cravings.<\/p>\n Remember though, we are all unique and complex and cravings could mean numerous things, from an unmet emotional need to a nutrient deficiency, or even illness. Listen to your body and your heart and follow them to good health and happiness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When a real craving hits, it\u2019s irrational. That means there must be a deeper need our body is trying to communicate to us in a very real, compelling (and hard to resist) way. Cravings are about much more than just what we put in our…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":21823,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,142],"tags":[984,985,290,986,987,143,956],"yoast_head":"\n
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