You’ve probably experienced craving for something sweet halfway in the morning or by the afternoon rolls in. You may say that you just can’t resist having something to munch on in between meals but have you ever considered that there may be something more to this?
Our feelings can also contribute to what we crave because our body is looking for something that will help alleviate the turmoil in our emotions. For example, eating sweet treats when we are depressed can trigger the release of serotonin which makes us feel good. Most of the time, our brain is actually controlling what we want to eat rather than because we are hungry which is why it is worth listening to what our brain is saying every time we crave for something. Here are some possible meanings of food cravings that you might want to consider.
Chocolate. If you find yourself craving for chocolate, it is possible that your magnesium levels are low. Although chocolates contain magnesium, so do nuts, but we don’t really look for the latter right? Our need to eat something sweet is probably because of the feel-good effects that we feel afterwards.
Sugar. Another food that we crave is sugar. This is actually frustrating especially when you are trying to watch your weight. However, before you indulge yourself in cakes, pastries, and other sweet delights that your mouth is watering for, take the time to consider that this craving of yours may mean an imbalance in your blood sugar. It is also possible that you lack magnesium and chromium so turning to healthier alternatives is better. Drop the cakes and sweet treats and opt for fruits instead because they contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for your overall health.
Ice cream. Who doesn’t like ice cream? Think of all the creamy goodness that melts in your mouth and cools you down especially on a hot day? Unfortunately, our need for this treat might have something to do with our body needing more protein or fats to fuel it throughout the day. It would be better if you turn to vegetables which you can prepare as salad or as smoothie to get important fats and protein in your system.
Tea or coffee. We just can’t let go of our morning routine of having coffee or tea first thing in the morning and although this is not really a big deal, if you can’t control your consumption, it might be because you don’t have enough iron or sulfur in your body. Fortunately, there is a way to resolve this and that is to consume more leafy greens like spinach, kale, and cabbage. Don’t forget to eat foods that have vitamin C too so that your body will be able to absorb iron better.
Lemons. Some pregnant women crave for lemons but this might be because your tastebuds have changed as part of the pregnancy phase. However, it can also mean that you don’t have enough vitamin C in your body which is why you are looking for something sour. Keep in mind that there are food sources that have vitamin C like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds so check out which ones can provide you with this important vitamin.
Fried foods. Are you craving for something fried? It is possible that you are lacking fatty acids in your system. A better option would be avocado, olive oil, salmon, coconut oil, coconut milk, nut butters, and even flax seed because they contain essential fatty acids that are important to your overall health. You should stay away from trans-fats and saturated fats that are usually present in cookies, chips, margarine, and french fries just to name a few.
