It’s mid-afternoon and you are overloaded with work. Lunch has passed, but you still feel empty inside. Like something is missing. You want something more to satisfy your appetite. Maybe a dose of something sweet, sour, salty or spicy – or perhaps all of the above. And soon it comes to you, the thought of exactly what you want at that moment.
The Scientific Impulse
Believe it or not, there’s an exact science to what we crave. According to naturopathy, the foods we crave reveal some of the nutritional imbalances in our lives.
For example, when you crave chocolate, your body is indicating that you need some cheer. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA) and magnesium. PEA induces the same feeling that we experience when falling in love. Magnesium stabilises blood sugar levels – bringing a calming feeling to the body.
Along with PEA and magnesium, chocolate also contains a lot of sugar, which is harmful for your body. So, the best solution is to find a healthy alternative that will give your body what it wants without the harmful side effects. Viable substitutes for chocolate include such treats as raw almonds, cashews or peanuts, legumes and even fruits.
But chocolate is only the beginning, here are a few more common cravings and what they actually mean.
The Cravings Chart
| If You’re Craving | Your Body Needs | Healthy Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | Magnesium, Phenylethylamine | Raw nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and fruits |
| Sweets | Chromium | Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans |
| Carbon | Cranberries, cabbage, kale |
|
| Sulphur | Fresh fruits |
|
| Tryptophan | Cheese, raisins |
|
| Bread/Toast | Nitrogen | Beans and nuts |
| Oily snacks/Fatty foods | Calcium | Mustard greens, broccoli, kale, cheese, sesame, legumes |
| Cold drinks | Manganese | Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries |
The Imagined Craving
Though there are cravings that mean a whole lot, there are certain others that your mind creates on its own devices – due to habit or boredom. So the next time a craving emerges, before you attend to any of the substitutions, do ensure that it is a genuine call from the body and not just the mind.
Try This Now
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Stock the refrigerator with healthy snacks and substitutions mentioned above
- When you crave for any food, drink two glasses of water. Wait 15 minutes. If the craving still remains, it is time to fulfil it otherwise; you’ve just conquered your mind!
Cravings reveal a lot about your body’s needs and your mind’s tricks.
In most situations, the substitutions and other recommendations will curb the cravings and may even stop them altogether. In certain situations if your cravings are happening on a daily basis and in extremes, it is always recommended to consult with a health professional.
-Hridayarpit Dhaval Mehta
