Gaby
What drives the intense craving for food that often feels impossible to resist? It might be linked to a deficiency of certain substances in the body. Or perhaps it stems from a simple desire to snack and quickly find pleasure in it. However, these cravings often target foods that are far from healthy—think cakes, chips, and yeast pastries.
Some nutrition experts believe that these cravings serve as a warning from the body about important needs or changes that shouldn’t be ignored. So, what do these cravings for specific foods indicate? Let’s dive in.
I Want Cake or Something Sweet!
Those with a sweet tooth are all too familiar with the urge to devour a pastry, cookie, slice of cake, or gummy bear. According to medical professionals, this desire is often triggered by a drop in blood sugar levels. When we consume sweets, our blood sugar rises, and insulin is released. However, indulging in refined sugars and carbohydrates can quickly lead to an imbalance in blood sugar.
As dietitian Marilyn Glenville points out, the surge of insulin can cause blood sugar levels to plummet too low. Soon enough, we find ourselves craving something sweet again. It’s a vicious cycle: the more sweets we eat, the more we crave.
To curb the sweet tooth, Dr. Marilyn Glenville recommends taking dietary supplements containing trivalent chromium (Cr 3+). This mineral activates insulin, helping to normalize blood sugar levels.
I Want Chips or Something Salty!
Many people can’t resist chips, despite doctors’ warnings about their questionable health benefits. Experts suggest that a craving for salty foods may indicate low electrolyte levels in the body.
Electrolytes, particularly potassium and sodium, help maintain fluid balance in the body and support muscle and nerve function.
As British dietitian Shauna Wilkinson notes, a craving for salty foods can signal a dangerously low sodium level, often resulting from dehydration, physical exertion, illness, or alcohol consumption. Sodium is a crucial mineral that helps maintain water balance and regulate blood pressure.
Shauna Wilkinson advises replenishing sodium levels by snacking on dried anchovies or salted popcorn, both rich in this mineral. Sodium can also be found in small amounts in celery and carrots, which can help satisfy cravings for unhealthy salty snacks, as reported by the Daily Mail.
I Want Bread or Pasta!
The desire for hearty foods rich in complex carbohydrates, like bread or pasta, is another common craving.
However, overindulging in these favorite carbs isn’t advisable, as the body struggles to digest them easily. There are many reasons we crave unhealthy carbohydrates, one of which is stress.
Dietitian Lindsey Plesskot explains, “We are programmed for survival, so when we don’t feel safe, our brains may crave quick energy (found in bread, pasta, pastries, etc.) and store it for later use.”
Another possible reason for carbohydrate cravings is the need to boost mood, as consuming them is linked to the release of the happiness hormone serotonin.
I Want Chocolate!
Experts estimate that 80 percent of the global population lacks magnesium in their daily diet. This mineral is essential for muscle and nerve health, as well as regulating blood sugar and blood pressure.
Medical professionals often attribute cravings for chocolate to a deficiency in magnesium and other nutrients.
Fitness expert Vidushi Binani confirms that dark chocolate is a popular source of magnesium. A 25-gram piece contains about 60 mg of magnesium. However, to meet the daily requirement for this vital mineral, one would need to consume around six such portions, which also contain a lot of sugar.
So, in addition to chocolate, there are other sources of magnesium to consider. These include cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, and pumpkin seeds. These healthy natural snacks can help keep you feeling full longer and curb those sweet cravings.
