Food Cravings
Many people perceive cravings to be a problem, but in reality they are important messages that help you to maintain balance. Understanding the difference between cravings will help you to understand what your body is telling you it needs, and whether you need to seek out professional advice for further investigation.
Here are 5 common causes of cravings you should not ignore:
Dehydration. A mild hunger is often a sign of thirst, so the first thing to do when you get this type of craving is to drink a full glass of water.
Lifestyle. Being unhappy in life, relationships, not exercising enough, being bored, stressed, or uninspired can lead to emotional eating patterns in order to fill a void.
Seasonal. This is one of the good cravings! Our bodies crave foods that balance out the elements–in the spring we crave detoxifying foods like leafy greens. In the summer, people crave cooling foods and more raw foods, and in the winter many crave warming foods or flu fighting foods. Other cravings include those associated with the holiday seasons.
Lack of Nutrients. If your body is producing odd cravings it could be a sign of inadequate nutrients. Examples of these cravings include salt and caffeine.
Hormones. Menstruation, pregnancy, menopause or fluctuating testosterone and estrogen levels can also cause unusual cravings.
Healthier alternatives to common cravings
It is possible to reduce common cravings with healthier alternatives. Here are a few easy examples to begin with:
Sugar is the body asking for energy. Substitute unhealthy sugar cravings with fruit which is high in fiber and slows digestion.
Eat whole food carbohydrates like vegetables and whole grains for sustainable energy and to help curb intense cravings.
Eat nutrient rich whole foods most of the time. These include meat, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. This method naturally leaves less room for unhealthy snacks.
Drinking mostly water crowds out unhealthy beverages and junk foods.
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