A Crash Course On Cravings

Ice cream and pickles anyone? According to a study published in the journal Appetite, most people experience cravings.

In fact, 97 percent of women and 68 percent of men who participated in this study reported yearning for a certain snack. Now about that ice cream...

Some attribute cravings to the nutrients missing from their diet. Although, based on the fact that it’s not often we develop a hankering for liver and kale—it’s safe to say that may not be entirely true. Karen Ansel, MS, RD, CDN, agrees pointing out that most often we crave “high carb and fat comfort foods.” Simply said, sometimes we just want some extra salt!

Still think your cravings are a mystery waiting to be solved? Grab your chips, it’s time to decode.

I want candy.

If you crave sweets, you may be experiencing blood sugar fluctuations. Catering to your sweet tooth, however, causes your insulin production to spike, putting you at risk for type 2 diabetes. Instead of reaching for the rocky road container, how about rinsing off an apple? Fruits low in natural sugars are a great substitute for the artificial sweets most of us covet.

Where’s the meat?

If you crave red meat, your body may be lacking a bit of iron. Healthy meat alternatives, such as beans, legumes, figs and other dry fruit, will also do the trick. But between you and I, a big juicy burger will be just fine in moderation.

I need chocolate.

Low magnesium? Bring on the chocolate. Nutritionists estimate that over 80 percent of the population is lacking in dietary magnesium, explaining why so many of us reach for chocolate (OK, and it tastes pretty good, too…) Foods such as nuts, seeds, fish and greens will also give us the necessary vitamins found in chocolate. If you still insist on magnesium intake through chocolate, choose dark chocolate—it’s proven healthier.

Say cheese... and bring me some, too.

Though a large part of the human population will argue that cheese is just delicious and that’s why we crave it— the other half begs to differ. Research has noted that cheese cravings often indicate a fatty acid deficiency. This is where the good news comes into play. The same omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flaxseed and salmon are also found in cheeses and are said to lower the risk of certain chronic diseases.

Pass the salt.

A craving for salt is commonly attributed to stress—and its toll on the adrenal glands. Research shows your adrenal glands release cortisol when you are under stress, resulting in your body’s craving for high-fat, simple-carb food. Next time you’re feeling stressed, try going for a walk or grabbing a banana instead of reaching for the carbs.