By: Gabriela Rosa |
Craving for food or lack of nutrients? |
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You had a big lunch only two hours ago, and now all you are thinking about is the creamy chocolate hidden in the arsniupper kitchen cabinet?
For five minutes you have successfully resisted the temptation, but you cannot stop thinking how good just a small piece of chocolate would be.
Your world slows down and the idea that chocolate will help you becomes stronger.
With the excuse that you now need chocolate because of a lack of energy, you have no choice but to yield to temptation.
You are trying to eat healthy, but you are helpless in such situations. Do not worry, you're not alone.
Most people have a need or desire for a particular food, even when they are not hungry.
The good news is that in most cases the craving for food stems from the simple physiological or psychological causes, and can be controlled by consuming proper amounts of nutrients.
It is very important to have healthy food at hand that will be an excellent substitute for the unhealthy food in moments of crisis.
The connection between food craving and lack of nutrients
Salty snacks
The need for chips, popcorn, flips and other salty snacks suggests certain problems related to the adrenal gland and the lack of electrolytes.
It often occurs due to hormonal imbalance due to stress.
An increased demand for salt intake usually indicates the need of the body for electrolytes and minerals.
The craving for salt may also mean that the body is crying out for water, since salt tends to retain water.
Increase your fluid intake. Consume celery, olives, tomatoes, seaweed or Himalayan salt to make up for the electrolytes and minerals.
Ensure you get enough sleep, which will normalize the level of stress hormones in the body.
Carbohydrates: bread, pasta, biscuits
You are preoccupied with thoughts about pasta, cakes, bread, crackers and pastries?
It can be an indicator of insulin resistance, hypoglycemia (a sudden drop in blood sugar levels), chromium deficiency or chronic fatigue.
Most likely you need additional intake of chromium and to balance sugar levels in the body.
Consume bananas, apples, apricots, spinach, beets, avocados, broccoli, celery, chard, carrots and parsnips.
For better control of blood sugar, include more fibers in your diet.
To overcome the craving for carbohydrates, eat more vegetables, dark green in color, and foods rich in chromium and magnesium.
Make sure you ingest small amounts of protein with every meal (soy, legumes and dairy products).
Chocolate
If you are craving for chocolate, it is likely that your body lacks magnesium, essential fatty acids and chromium.
In times of stress, level of magnesium, chromium, B vitamins and essential fatty acids are reduced in the body.
That is why we reach for chocolate when we are exposed to stress to make up for a lack of these nutrients.
But that's not all - chocolate increases serotonin levels in the blood. Since serotonin is the hormone of happiness, craving for chocolate may be associated with emotional needs.
Consume hot chocolate made from raw cocoa, nuts and seeds, legumes, green leafy vegetables and other foods rich in magnesium and essential fatty acids.
An excellent solution is hanging out with loved ones and friends, or engage in any activity that will raise serotonin levels and contribute to a good mood.
Sweets
You cannot spend a single day without eating sweets? This means that your body needs extra energy, chrome or essential amino acid called tryptophan.
Craving for sweets is perhaps one of the most complex nutritional needs.
It may indicate a lack of amino acids or the growth of fungi in the body.
Also, an increased need for sweets or sugar can be a sign that your body needs carbohydrates as energy for the brain and body.
The desire for sweet foods can be a sign that you lack emotional "sweetness" in your life.
Consume beans, pears, berries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and whole grains.
Treat yourself to activities that will cheer you up and relax such as taking a walk in nature, art, good music, and you will notice that the craving for sweets can be satisfied without food.
Fried and fatty foods
Are you craving for fried and fatty foods? This indicates a lack of essential fatty acids or calcium deficiency.
Consume nuts and seeds, flax oil, broccoli, kale, legumes and green leafy vegetables.
Fizzy beverages
This form of craving is often present in people who bring too many stimulants in the body, and at the same time do not drink enough water.
This may be a sign of a lack of calcium in the body.
Consume kale, almonds, spinach and broccoli since they will help you to replace calcium.
Ice
Craving for ice, clay, earth, chalk and other non-food products is a condition that is also called pica or geophagia (which literally means "earth eating").
This can often indicate a lack of iron or other minerals in the body.
This phenomenon is common in children, but can occur in adults during periods of increased nutritional needs, such as pregnancy.
Consume more iron-rich foods, including dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.
While this article provides you the necessary information with which you can identify a lack of important nutrients in the body, in severe cases of food craving you should definitely consult a qualified expert and make a test to see whether your organism lacks certain minerals or vitamins.
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