Cravings…..and what they are trying to tell you

We all get food cravings and it is the body’s way of trying to send us a message- the brain and body know what they need! We do tend to be rather disconnected from our bodies in our high tech and stressed culture, and we often don’t listen and override its signals, because either we just don’t listen to our body or we think we know better.

Women tend to get more food cravings than men, and lack of sleep can promote cravings for unhealthy foods. However, cravings can also indicate nutritional needs, so its worth paying attention.

Junk food Cravings

Generally I would suggest that cravings for pizza, potato chips, hot chips etc could be one of three things. You might be on a restrictive diet and these foods are forbidden which makes them more attractive, or you might be stressed and these foods provide a sense of reward. However, you might not be eating enough calories or easy to digest carbohydrates, and these provide quick energy. If its the former, I suggest redirecting the cravings to something a bit more nutritious but that will still satisfy the cravings. If the latter, then you probably to eat more.

Sugar Cravings

Sugar - glucose - is the body’s primary source of energy. Low carb and/or low calorie diets deprive the body of adequate easy to access energy, and then the body starts to break down fats and proteins in order to make glucose- and this is an inflammatory process.

Recognise sugar cravings as your body’s (and often brain’s) cry for energy. However, many sugar containing processed foods also contain much junk, so here are some foods which should satisfy the cravings while also contributing nutrition: orange juice, fruit, root vegetables such as potatoes, honey. Some sugar used sparingly as part of a balanced diet is not a problem either.

I do find also that if breakfast is not eaten and there is an uncontrollable urge for junk food in the afternoon, then I will recommend breakfast with protein be eaten, because it helps balance blood sugar all day.

"Any craving is a good starting point, because we have several biological mechanisms for correcting specific nutritional deficiencies. When something is interfering with your ability to use sugar, you crave it because if you don't eat it you will waste protein to make it." Dr. Ray Peat, PhD

Chocolate Cravings

Chocolate cravings can indicate a copper or magnesium deficiency, as chocolate contains both of these. It is usually magnesium as this important mineral is depleted quickly under stress. So consider a magnesium supplement, topical or ingested, and also consider getting a hair mineral analysis to check on the status of minerals in your body. I do recommend eating dark chocolate to get the highest level of nutrition.

Salt Cravings

Cravings for salt can be an indication of chronic stress, and adrenal insufficiency, because when you are stressed you lose more sodium. The body knows, so eat salt to taste, it contains both chloride and sodium, both important minerals. The salt can help calm and adrenal response.

Fat Cravings

Your body will not generally crave canola or vegetable oil, but may crave avocado, butter, cacao, cream, coconut oil. That’s because these saturated fats play an important role in our body and our body recognises them as food. Trust those cravings- these fats are also anti-inflammatory, unlike the modern processed ones. However, at the same time, many people have a problem with digesting fat, and this can be tested.

You have probably heard about the Omega3 versus Omega6 fats, and that we need more Omega3s. This is something that can be tested with fatty acid testing.

Vinegary/Sour Food Cravings

This can indicate low stomach acid, because these foods help lower the pH of the stomach, Having strong stomach acid is important as a first line of defence against pathogens that come through food, as well as healthy digestion, being able to break down our food properly. The minerals calcium and zinc are important for strong digestion. And I often recommend herbal bitters to help stimulate the digestive fluids.

Red meat Cravings

Red meat contains good levels of iron, zinc and protein and many people on a ‘healthy’ or plant-based diet may lack these minerals and sufficient protein. I think it is wise to listen to these cravings. However if you are already eating red meat and still crave it, you may not be digesting it well, so it might be time to pay some attention to your digestion.

I encourage you to tune in and listen to what your body is trying to tell you. You don’t always have to follow cravings- sometimes they can be redirected and satisfied with better food. But they are always worth paying attention to.