top of page
AutorenbildIvy Wulf

Food Cravings and What They Mean


A guide to understand your body's signals and how to address them



Have you ever felt a sudden urge to eat something sweet, salty, or crunchy? Do you wonder why you crave certain foods and what they say about your health? Food cravings are not just random whims, but rather signals from your body that indicate a possible nutritional imbalance or deficiency. By paying attention to your food cravings, you can learn more about your body's needs and how to satisfy them in a healthy way.


Common Food Cravings and What They Mean


Chocolate



You may be craving chocolate because you need more magnesium, a mineral that helps with muscle relaxation, nerve function, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is also involved in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and happiness. To get more magnesium, you can eat dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), nuts, seeds, leafy greens, beans, and whole grains.


Important: Vitamin D does not deplete magnesium in the body, but rather increases its absorption and utilization. However, if you have low magnesium levels to begin with, taking high doses of vitamin D may worsen your deficiency and cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue, insomnia, or irregular heartbeat. This is because magnesium is needed for the activation and metabolism of vitamin D, and also for the function of many enzymes that depend on both vitamins. Therefore, it is important to ensure adequate intake of both vitamin D and magnesium from food or supplements, and to monitor your blood levels regularly. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is 15 micrograms (600 IU) per day for adults, and for magnesium is 310-420 milligrams per day for women and 400-420 milligrams per day for men, depending on age. However, some people may need more or less depending on their health conditions, sun exposure, genetic variations, and medication use. If you are unsure about your vitamin D and magnesium status, you should consult your doctor or a registered dietitian for personalized advice.


If you follow a carnivore diet, which excludes plant foods, you may struggle to get enough magnesium, a mineral that supports many bodily functions. Some animal foods that contain magnesium are shellfish, organ meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. However, these may not provide enough magnesium to prevent deficiency, which can cause various symptoms. You may need to supplement with magnesium or eat some plant foods that are high in magnesium, such as spinach or dark chocolate. You should also check your magnesium levels and seek professional guidance.


Cheese


Cheese is a rich source of calcium, a mineral that is essential for strong bones and teeth, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. If you crave cheese, you may have low levels of calcium in your blood, which can lead to osteoporosis, muscle cramps, and numbness.


One possible way to get enough calcium on a carnivore diet is to eat dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, milk, or butter. Dairy products are rich in calcium and also provide protein, fat, and other nutrients. However, some people may be intolerant or allergic to dairy products, or may prefer to avoid them for ethical or environmental reasons. In that case, another option is to eat bone-in fish, such as sardines, salmon, or anchovies. These fish have edible bones that contain calcium and other minerals, such as phosphorus and magnesium. You can also make bone broth from animal bones and cartilage, which can extract some of the calcium and collagen from the bones and provide a nourishing and flavorful liquid. However, these animal sources of calcium may not be sufficient to meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 1000-1300 milligrams per day for adults, depending on age and gender. Therefore, you may need to supplement with calcium or eat some plant foods that are high in calcium, such as kale, broccoli, almonds, or sesame seeds. You should also check your calcium levels and seek professional guidance.



Bread


Bread is a carbohydrate that provides quick energy and satisfies hunger. However, if you crave bread too often, you may have low levels of chromium, a trace mineral that helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Chromium also supports the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is found in small amounts in some animal foods, such as beef, liver, eggs, and cheese. However, these may not provide enough chromium to prevent deficiency.


Apples


There are many possible reasons why you crave apples, but some of the most common ones are:


- You are hungry and need more energy. Apples are a good source of natural sugars, fiber, and water, which can help you feel full and satisfied. They also contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can support your health and immune system.

- You are dehydrated and need more fluids. Apples have a high water content and can help you stay hydrated. They also have a refreshing and crisp taste that can quench your thirst.

- You are deficient in some nutrients and need more of them. Apples are rich in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and other micronutrients that your body needs for various functions. They can also help balance your blood sugar levels and prevent spikes and crashes.

- You are stressed and need more comfort. Apples have a soothing and calming effect on your mood and nervous system. They can also trigger positive memories and associations, such as childhood, autumn, or holidays. Eating apples can help you relax and cope with stress better.

- You are bored and need more stimulation. Apples have a crunchy and juicy texture and a sweet and tart flavor that can stimulate your senses and keep you engaged. They can also provide a healthy and low-calorie snack that can satisfy your cravings without guilt.



Coffee



Coffee is a popular beverage that contains caffeine, a stimulant that can enhance alertness, mood, and concentration. However, if you crave coffee too much, you may have low levels of phosphorus, a mineral that helps with energy production, bone health, and DNA synthesis. Phosphorus also works with calcium to maintain the acid-base balance in your body. To get more phosphorus, you can eat meat, fish, dairy products.



Salt



Salt is a seasoning that enhances the flavor of food and helps regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve function. However, if you crave salt excessively, you may have low levels of sodium, potassium, or chloride, electrolytes that are involved in many bodily processes. Low levels of these electrolytes can cause dehydration, muscle cramps, weakness, and irregular heartbeat. To replenish your electrolytes, you can drink water, coconut water, sports drinks, or broth.



Sugar



Sugar is another carbohydrate that provides quick energy and pleasure. However, if you crave sugar too often, you may have low levels of serotonin, dopamine, or endorphins, neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood, motivation, and reward. Low levels of these neurotransmitters can cause depression, anxiety, irritability, and low self-esteem. To increase your serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, you can eat foods that contain tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine, amino acids that are precursors to these neurotransmitters. These foods include bananas, eggs, cheese, turkey, salmon, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate.

 

- You can increase serotonin, dopamine, or endorphins without food by engaging in physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, which can boost your mood, energy, and brain function. Exercise can also stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers and euphoria-inducing chemicals. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, or find an activity that you enjoy and can do regularly.


- by practicing mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques, which can help you reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. Mindfulness can also help you increase your awareness and appreciation of the present moment, while meditation can help you cultivate a sense of calmness and inner peace. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga, can also help you relax your body and mind and lower your blood pressure and heart rate.


- to pursue your passions, hobbies, or interests, which can give you a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and joy. Doing something that you love and are good at can also increase your self-esteem, confidence, and creativity, as well as trigger the flow state, which is a state of optimal focus and engagement. Whether it is music, art, writing, gardening, or any other activity, find something that sparks your curiosity and passion and dedicate some time to it every day or week.



Spicy food



Spicy food can stimulate your taste buds and make you feel more alive. However, if you crave spicy food too much, you may have low levels of zinc, a mineral that helps with immune function, wound healing, and taste perception. Zinc also supports the production of testosterone, a hormone that affects sex drive and fertility. To get more zinc, you can eat oysters, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, shellfish.



Popcorn



You may crave popcorn for various reasons, such as hunger, boredom, stress, habit, or association. Popcorn is a low-calorie, high-fiber snack that can fill you up and satisfy your craving for something crunchy and salty. It can also be a comfort food that you associate with positive memories, such as watching movies, hanging out with friends, or relaxing at home.

However, popcorn can also have some drawbacks, such as being high in sodium, fat, and calories, depending on how it is prepared and flavored. Too much popcorn can increase your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, as well as cause digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, or constipation. Popcorn can also contain potentially harmful chemicals, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used to coat microwave popcorn bags and can leach into the popcorn when heated. PFOA has been linked to various health problems, such as kidney and liver disease, thyroid dysfunction, and cancer.


If you crave popcorn on a carnivore diet, you may find it hard to find a suitable substitute that mimics the texture, flavor, and satisfaction of popcorn, since most of the common alternatives are plant-based. However, there are some possible options that you can try, such as:


- Pork rinds: These are crispy, crunchy, and salty snacks made from fried or roasted pig skin. They are high in protein and fat, and low in carbs, making them compatible with a carnivore diet. You can also season them with different spices, such as garlic, onion, chili, or barbecue, to add more variety and flavor. However, be careful not to overeat pork rinds, as they are also high in sodium, calories, and saturated fat, which can raise your blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk of heart disease. Also, look for pork rinds that are minimally processed and do not contain any artificial ingredients, preservatives, or additives.


- Cheese crisps: These are thin, crispy, and cheesy snacks made from baking or microwaving cheese slices or shreds until they become golden and crunchy. They are high in protein and calcium, and low in carbs, making them suitable for a carnivore diet. You can also use different types of cheese, such as cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, or gouda, to create different flavors and textures. However, be aware that cheese crisps are also high in fat, calories, and sodium, which can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and water retention. Also, avoid cheese crisps that contain any added sugars, starches, or fillers, and opt for natural, organic, or grass-fed cheese whenever possible.


- Meatballs: These are small, round, and savory snacks made from ground meat, such as beef, pork, chicken, or turkey, mixed with eggs, cheese, and seasonings, and baked or fried until cooked and browned. They are high in protein and iron, and low in carbs, making them compatible with a carnivore diet. You can also vary the meat, cheese, and seasonings to create different flavors and combinations, such as spicy, cheesy, herby, or sweet. However, be careful not to overcook or dry out the meatballs, as they can lose their juiciness and tenderness. Also, avoid meatballs that contain any breadcrumbs, flour, or other plant-based binders or extenders, and choose lean, organic, or grass-fed> meat whenever possible.


Pickles



Pickles are cucumbers that have been fermented in vinegar, salt, and spices. They are crunchy, sour, and salty, and can satisfy your taste buds and your stomach. If you crave pickles, you may need more probiotics, live microorganisms that can improve your gut health, digestion, immunity, and mood. Probiotics can also help with cravings for sugar and processed foods. To get more probiotics, you can eat yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kombucha.


Conclusion

Food cravings are not random, but rather meaningful messages from your body that indicate a possible nutritional imbalance or deficiency. By listening to your food cravings, you can learn more about your body's needs and how to address them in a healthy way. However, food cravings are not the only factor that determines your health, and you should also consider your overall diet, lifestyle, and medical history. If you have any concerns or questions about your food cravings or your health, you should consult your doctor or a registered dietitian.

7 Ansichten0 Kommentare

Aktuelle Beiträge

Alle ansehen

Commentaires


bottom of page