Decode Your Cravings

Some people say that cravings are all mental and that you aren't actually hungry, you're just bored. Although your stomach does send signals to your brain telling you that you are hungry, cravings aren't a 'mental' thing. They are small ways that you body tells you what it needs. Don't get me wrong, I get bored and turn to food more than I should, but cravings don't have to be all cookies, chips, bacon and burgers all wrapped in one. Below I will help you decode what your craving means and some healthy alternatives to satisfy them!

If you are craving CHOCOLATE, your body is telling you that you need magnesium. Studies have shown that a reasonable amount of dark chocolate is good for you, try having some nuts, seeds, assorted veggies and fruits.

If you are craving something SWEET & SUGARY, your body is telling you to take in more chromium, carbon, phosphorus, sulphur or tryptophan. For chromium you can have some broccoli or some grapes, for carbon turn to fresh fruits, phosphorus can be taken in via nuts and veggies, sulphur is contained in cabbage and cauliflower and tryptophan can be found in sweet potatoes and spinach.

If you are craving BREAD, PASTA OR OTHER STARCHES, your body is telling you to take in more nitrogen. To satisfy this depletion, you can eat some dark leafy greens such as kale, collards, etc. as well as nuts and seeds.

If you are craving something OILY OR FATTY, your body is telling you to take in more calcium via broccoli, asparagus, kale, mustard greens, bok choy, figs, dates and plums.

If you are craving something SALTY, your body is telling you to take in more chloride via celery, tomatoes, lettuce and seaweeds and silicon via cashews, nuts and seeds.

Hopefully this gave you some insight of how your body can talk to you and actually tell you what it needs. As you can tell from most of these swaps, veggies and nuts are the things you should be reaching for to satisfy your cravings!

ENJOY!!