Even if it is a food that does not attract you too much!! do you want to eat it anyway, no matter how much self-control you have? If so, chances are those cravings are indicative of what’s going on in your body. Believe it or not, these random cravings can actually give us important information about our deficiencies. In this article, we’ll look at four common food cravings and explain what deficiencies they might indicate in our body. Read on to find out more!
Our body speaks to us! Let’s learn to listen to it carefully for the good of our health!
Our body reacts to nutritional deficiencies in different ways, depending on which vitamins and minerals it lacks. As food cravings can be triggered by emotional states such as stress or anxiety, our cravings for specific foods are also directly related to the body’s need for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. When the body is deficient in a particular nutrient, it sends signals to our brain that stimulate food cravings that will provide it with needed nourishment.
Here are the food cravings that indicate a nutritional deficiency.
The craving for chocolate can show a magnesium deficiency.
To explain this, it may help to know that chocolate contains large amounts of magnesium. By craving, our body is essentially sending us the signal to consume more magnesium. Magnesium plays an important role in health because it helps build bones and helps the body absorb other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, magnesium helps reduce stress levels, which could also explain why people crave chocolate during times of high stress.
In summary, the craving for chocolate could actually be our body’s way of telling us that we need more magnesium and that we should increase our intake through diet or dietary supplements. .
The craving for salty foods shows iron deficiency.
Craving salty foods can be directly linked to iron deficiency. Salt is made up of sodium and chloride, which are both electrolytes. When a person’s body lacks mineralization due to iron deficiency, it may look for other sources to get electrolytes into the system. The most common source is salty food, as sodium and chloride are often used as a preservative and flavoring agent in processed foods.
This craving for salt means that more sodium must be consumed to balance electrolyte levels in the body and compensate for the inability to absorb nutrients properly due to low iron levels. This is why many dieticians recommend drinking water when the craving for salty food suddenly arises. Since water is also rich in sodium and other trace elements, it would be easier to fill your lack through a healthy food without compromising your health or your weight.
Craving for ice cream is also a sign of iron deficiency.
The urge to eat something cold and refreshing, like ice cream, is usually associated not only with feeling hot or thirsty, but can also be a sign of iron deficiency. Iron is an essential mineral in the body, essential for several biological processes, including the production of energy and the development of red blood cells.
Although this relationship is often overlooked, it is actually quite common. When serum iron levels drop, our brain cells are slowly deprived of the oxygen they need to function properly and send signals to the body. In response, these cells send impulses to other parts of the brain that control hormones regulating appetite and thirst, causing cravings for cold and cool like ice cream.
The urge to consume dairy products or eggs shows a calcium or vitamin D deficiency.
The main source of calcium and vitamin D for our body comes from foods such as dairy products and eggs. It has long been known that humans instinctively crave these food sources if they lack any of these essential nutrients. This is because our brain creates a desire to get what we need to stay healthy. So if we don’t reach the necessary levels of calcium or vitamin D, our brain responds by creating a craving for the best sources of these vital dietary components.
Human beings have adapted to survive in diverse environments. So it makes sense that our bodies rely on instinctual cravings to ensure we find the healthiest options when food is hard to come by.
The craving for sweet snacks could indicate a chromium deficiency.
This is because chromium helps regulate the production and use of insulin, and when a person is deficient in chromium, their body may react by asking for more glucose. Glucose comes from the carbohydrates found in sugary snacks, so food cravings make sense. If you feel the urge to snack on sugary treats between meals, it could be a sign that your body needs more of this essential mineral.
Fortunately, many foods such as lean meats, wholemeal breads, and vegetables are packed with this nutrient. So you don’t have to constantly fall back on high-calorie sweets! (Unless you are stressed, irritated or depressed! Another phenomenon to be explained soon!)
