What your food cravings really mean

We are all guilty of giving into that craving and reaching for the dairy milk or tub of Pringles to satisfy an urge. Food cravings could actually be your body’s way of telling you what it really needs. Here are some of the most common cravings.

Chocolate

Cravings for chocolate are extremely common and can often indicate that the body is deficient in magnesium. This mineral can help to relax us when we are stressed and helps to ease period cramps. Chocolate isn’t the best source of magnesium so choose wholegrains, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds. 

Salty foods

Reaching for crisps, popcorn, chips and salty foods could be down to stress. Adrenal glands help to prepare the body for the “fight” or “flight” response. If you are stressed your adrenal glands which also help to regulate the body’s salt levels become exhausted and your body starts to crave salty foods. Erase any stress by eating foods which are rich in vitamin B5 such as leafy greens and salmon.

Craving salty foods can also indicate that the body is dehydrated so make sure that you are drinking plenty of water.

Coffee

A craving for a coffee fix might indicate an iron deficiency. Lack of iron makes you feel tired and low in energy as there are less blood cells carrying oxygen around the body. Haem iron found in red meat is packed with iron and easily absorbed by the body. Green vegetables, beans and pulses contain non-haem iron which is harder for the body to absorb so eat these with foods rich in vitamin C for an iron boost.

Bread

If you are craving bread or pasta, your body could be low in serotonin, the brain chemical that affects mood. Carbohydrates help to release and regulate serotonin, important especially when stressed or down. Eat wholegrain carbohydrates to satisfy this craving and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Sweets

A sweet tooth might indicate a lack of chromium. This mineral helps to regulate blood sugar levels by making the pancreas produce insulin. Swap that bag of Haribo’s for shellfish, rice, oats, potatoes and tomatoes to keep blood sugar steady.