We all know that feeling. When a craving hits it can be hard to focus on anything else except that inner voice shouting at you to treat yourself! You might even assume that if you’re having cravings than your body must be needing what it’s asking for, right? Wrong! The Doc is breaking down just what-your-cravings-are-actually-telling-you about your health!
Lost In Translation
Your body isn’t tricking you when it tells you it’s craving something! Food cravings are your body telling you it’s in need of certain nutrients. Cravings can indicate hormone imbalances, emotional distress, poor diet, hormonal changes, diabetes, or fatigue. That’s just another reason why it’s important to know how to listen (and respond properly) to what your body is telling you.
Need A Sugar Hit?
One of the most difficult cravings to avoid, especially when you’re watching your weight and trying to maintain good health. Consuming too much sugar over a long period of time can impact your health. If you’re craving sweets this is often a sign of blood sugar irregularities, hormonal imbalances, stress or sleep deprivation. It could also be a sign of dehydration in which case, make sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water!
Doc Tip: Really, really need a sugar hit? Opt for healthier options like real fresh seasonal fruits.
Chocolate Is In A League Of It’s Own
Craving chocolate may be a sign that you’re in need of magnesium, chromium, B-vitamins or essential fatty acids. Women, in particular, are prone to a chocolate craving. This tends to be related to their menstrual cycle as women lose magnesium (a mineral that is found in cacao) during this time. Craving chocolate is your bodies way of attempting to restore these levels to normal. Chocolate is a rich source of magnesium, with the highest forms coming from 100 percent cocoa.
Doc Tip: Grab it in powder form and add to your morning smoothie, or opt for the Doc’s chocolate Whey Protein or plant based Pea Protein to help sweeten your craving while also helping you feel fuller for longer and keeping the total food volume down.
Cravings A La Pasta
When you can’t get the thought of indulging in a glutenous bowl of freshly made pasta or soft white bread, it might be a sign of insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, or fatigue. Craving processed flours like white breads, crackers, or noodles could also be a sign that you need to include more fibre in your diet for better blood sugar control.
Doc Tip: Try adding more magnesium rich vegetables like spinach, avocado, broccoli, celery and chard into your daily diet.
Just Add Salt
Pass the salt, you say?! This craving may be the result of low levels of electrolytes (especially sodium). Dehydration can also be to blame for salt cravings, so make sure that you hydrate your body and drink plenty of water.
Doc Tip: If you need to increase your electrolytes, coconut water is an excellent choice, just make sure you opt for an unflavored variety without any added sugar or other ingredients.
Fire Up The BBQ
Stuck on the thought of a savory steak? Meat can be an odd craving, particularly if you live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. Craving meat may be an indication of iron deficiency. Be careful because if you’re low in iron it could lead to fatigue resulting in lowered immune health and overall weakness. It is possible to eat a balanced diet without meat, however, and our Docs suggest consuming more beans, legumes, spinach and dried fruit when this type of craving hits.
Take Control Of Your Cravings
The Doctor’s Kitchen Australia incorporates premium wholefoods and superfood ingredients to create nutritionally complete + purely delicious meals that are portioned to help achieve overall wellness and good health – and, no more cravings! You can book in with one of our Docs at our HQ at Carina. Or now, at the Rosalie Milton Clinic, to get started on the Doc’s weight loss meals.
The Doctor’s Kitchen and our doctors service all Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba areas.
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