Got cravings? Research has found that cravings are really the body’s way of letting you know that you are deficient in a certain nutrient.
When we get cravings it often seems like nothing is going to satiate the appetite until we give in and eat something that we probably shouldn’t.
Research has shown that emotions and the environment are major triggers of cravings and that visual cues, certain feelings and smells trigger us to have certain cravings.
These cravings however are often just the body’s way of letting us know that we are deficient in a certain nutrient.
Craving Chocolate? Research has found that the body is really deficient in magnesium. Instead of giving in, try eating nuts, seeds or oats.
Got sugary cravings? You could be deficient in chromium, carbon, phosphorous, sulphur or tryptophan. Try eating some broccoli, legumes or sweet potatoes.
Even carbohydrate cravings are indicative of a nitrogen deficiency. Boost your levels by eating dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds.
If you find yourself looking for fatty foods you are probably deficient in calcium. Good sources of calcium include salmon, figs, kale and dates.
When you are in need of something creamy like ice-cream, often this means you are deficient in iron. Good sources of iron include beets, dark leafy vegetables or red meat.
Need another coffee or tea? Your body is probably just in need of some phosphorous, sulphur or iron. Try replenishing your body with vegetables, nuts, dark leafy greens or cruciferous vegetables.
Salty foods are often the body’s way of alerting you to a chloride or silicon deficiency. Try eating some celery, seaweed or nuts and seeds.
Eating calcium rich foods will also help curb cravings for sugar drinks like soda.
Even pre-menstrual cravings show a zinc deficiency. Replenish the body by eating some nuts and seeds, seafood or dark leafy vegetables.
Here is a full list of cravings associated with nutrient deficiencies.
