5 Common Cravings and What They’re Telling You
Not sure why you can’t stop reaching for that vending machine candy bar every afternoon? Or why stressful meetings seem to send thoughts of french fries directly to your brain? The answer is about more than just willpower. Your body’s cravings may be sending you signals you should address. Here are a few connections you may want to be aware of so you can give your body what it’s really searching for the next time a sudden hankering comes on.
###Craving Chocolate? You May Need Magnesium
We get it—chocolate is inherently crave-worthy. Still, unstoppable chocolate cravings may actually be one of the possible signs of magnesium deficiency (along with fatigue, muscle twitches, and depression). Being low on magnesium can also affect your sleep. The recommended daily intake of magnesium varies by age, but in general males between 31 and 50 years of age should plan to get about 420mg daily, while non-pregnant, non-lactating women should shoot for about 320mg. A supplement can serve as support. Or, you can consider curbing your cravings by making a trail mix of magnesium-rich foods, including sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, popcorn and dark chocolate bits.
###Pretzel Logic: Stress & Salty Food Cravings
We’ve all been there: Logging off from a long, stressful meeting only to start searching for something salty or possibly fried to snack on. If you’re finding that stressful situations cause you to crave salty, sugary, or fatty foods, there may be a physiological reason for it. The stress hormone, cortisol, floods your system in challenging moments and causes your brain to think about what fuel will best help it fight any impending threats. Want to tame this carb-loving tiger? Try a few deep breathing exercises to restore a sense of calm.
###Dreaming of Sweets? You May Need Sleep
It seems to make sense—when you’re exhausted, you think a quick sugar-rush can give you the energy you need to make it through the day. While your thinking is on the right track, it’s actually a hormone swing from being overtired that’s issuing the demand for candy. Ghrelin, the hunger-control hormone increases and tells you to eat more, while leptin, the appetite-suppressing hormone decreases, causing your wires to get crossed and your cravings to increase. Want to get them back in sync? Take a look at your sleep hygiene and make sure you’re getting enough rest.
###Hormone Havoc & Carb Cravings
In the moments when there just doesn’t seem to be enough carbs in the world to scratch that itch, you’ll find that ghrelin and leptin are once again the hormonal culprits crossing wires and sending seriously snacky messages your way. Women may also find carb cravings increase during different phases of their menstrual cycle, thanks to a dip in serotonin. Because the body uses carbs to make this mood-stabilizing chemical, the urge to carb-load comes naturally. Here, mood-boosting exercise may help, as well as carb choices that sustain energy versus spike blood sugar. Think: fruit, oatmeal, rice, and starchy vegetables.
###Sweet Nothings: Dehydration & Sweet Cravings
Sweet cravings can be sneaky—maybe you’re tired, maybe you’re hormonal, or maybe you’re…thirsty? While it’s unexpected, the reason why you crave sugary foods when you’re dehydrated comes down to basic biology. Glycogen, a stored form of energy produced in the liver, is created by connected glucose molecules—the type of sugar we get from carbohydrates. Glucose is an essential source of fuel for our cells, and water is critical in its creation. When we’re deficient in fluids, there’s difficulty in the production of glycogen, activating sugar cravings. Simply check in to make sure you’re hydrated. That way, you ensure you’re getting enough liquids throughout the day for all of your body’s needs.