What Do These 5 Food Cravings Mean?

We have all dealt with food cravings at some point. But things would be better if the same foods we crave fulfilled the body’s need for sustenance. If you have an unending desire to chunk a fudgy, salted brownie, try leafy greens sandwiched in an omelet.

The human brain controls our thoughts and many processes that control our bodies. But, our bodies are more cognizant of their needs than whatever message the brain sends. And, more often than not, we misunderstand the meaning of our cravings.

It is possible to trace most food cravings to nutrient deficiency in the form of the “brownie.” A craving fulfills your imminent need but not the inherent health condition.

We’ve analyzed some of the most common food cravings, along with what they mean. Certain foods can cause you to yearn for more. We hope that this information will help you make nutritious choices in the future.
 

Salty Food Cravings

When you crave salty foods, you may experience adrenal fatigue and have a deficiency of trace minerals. The lack of essential nutrients results in chemical disparity, which modifies the pH levels of body tissues. Also, it might escalate inflammation and cause hormonal variance. It alters fluid viscosity to cause low blood pressure and poor secretion of digestive juices.

When you crave salt, target rich trace mineral sources found in food. Salty food craving is not the go-ahead to eat fast foods having refined salts. The following are suggestions to improve your nutrient deficiency:

  • Bone Broths; can help adrenals to recuperate from stress as it is a potential source of minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, or Phosphorus, which the body quickly absorbs.

  • Pink Salt: It contains Zinc, Iron, Potassium, and Magnesium. These minerals and pink salt flavors will make you require less salt.

  • Sea Vegetables: have vitamins and sea minerals such as Iodine, Zinc, Magnesium, or, Potassium.
     

Sweet Foods

The imbalance of your blood sugar often results in sweet food cravings. One can get addicted to foods having simple sugars and high glycemic carbohydrates, causing insulin spikes.

A rise in insulin levels triggers neurotransmitters dopamine. A feel-good hormone, serotonin, is also secreted. Later, neurotransmitter levels drop, making your brain crave more sugar again.

You must balance your blood sugar levels to curb your desire for sweet foods. When you crave sweet foods, go for natural sugars such as monk fruit to make foods sweet. Also, take low-carbohydrate fruits like raw strawberries.

You may also have sweet cravings because of chromium deficiency. Your body requires small amounts of chromium to regulate metabolism. Inadequate chromium is due to intolerance to glucose that shows in people having diabetes. It can make you feel anxious, accompanied by cravings. Eat chromium-rich foods like raw onions, broccoli, mushrooms, romaine lettuce, and green beans.
 

Dark Chocolate Cravings

Having chocolate cravings once in a while is fine but a primary symptom of magnesium deficiency. Insufficient magnesium problems are common and affect about 80 percent of Americans.

Many physiological processes depend on magnesium for;

  • Movement of muscles

  • Cardiovascular health

  • Proper functioning of the Central Nervous System.

  • Production of hormones
     

Remember, your thoughts are brilliant. The chocolate you crave has about 70% cacao. This chocolate has 58% of the daily approved amount of magnesium in one serving.

Other food sources that can restore the correct concentration of magnesium in your body are:

  • Leafy greens

  • Wild-caught fish

  • Avocado

  • Pumpkin seeds

  • Dairy products of animals fed grass
     

Cheese and Dairy Cravings

The cheesy pizza craving you keep having may mean you lack essential fatty acids like Gamma-Linolenic Acid. These fats are crucial to the development of your brain and the health of your nervous system. But, the foods we consume have high omega-6 fat concentrations. Vegetable oils and traditionally raised meats have omega-6 fats compared to omega-3 fatty acids.

So, when you crave dairy, crash it by munching fatty acids-rich foods. Wild fish, eggs from pasture-raised chicken, and grass-fed meat have essential fatty acids. Besides, vegetables have fewer amounts of fatty acids, e.g., ground flaxseed, hemp seeds, and blue-green algae.
 

Red Meat Cravings

Some women crave red meat during pregnancy or menstruation. The reason is that your body lacks energy-giving nutrients like Iron, amino acid ACL, Zinc, and vitamin B-12.

These nutrients help the body have energy by;

  • Improving the function of the heart and brain

  • Bettering muscle strength

  • Arousing the immune system
     

To some extent, consuming red meat satisfies your craving. Considering you eat quality meats in moderation, incorporating the foods listed below increases your L-carnitine, Iron, and B-12. carnitine concentration.

  • Dark greens, e.g., Swiss chard and spinach

  • Organ meats like liver

  • Wild games such as bison and venison

  •  Use the Grass-Fed Beef Organ Complex, which is a great supplement.
     

Primary Reasons for Deficiencies

If you have a specific food craving and eat natural foods to satisfy it, it is still stuck with you. Now, it may be time to look at the reasons behind your desires. Studies reveal that people with insufficient nutrients have more than an 80% chance of being overweight.

The four primary reasons for nutritional deficiencies are;

  • Chronic stress

  • Poor diet

  • Low stomach acid

  •  Dehydration
     

Summary

Food cravings are normal, but you must counter the cravings by eating clean natural foods. Are you in Kansas City and need someone to help you deal with a food craving? Contact Lifeworks today and get help from a team of qualified professionals.