If your Christmas holiday overeating presents a tendency to extend until Easter, It’s probably time to start a diet. And if you already tried that but can’t stop fantasizing chocolate cakes, pizza, and juicy fat steaks, maybe your body is trying to tell you something. There might be more to Craving meaning than a simple urge for specific food.
Craving can be an indication of a mild malnutrition caused from eating foods low in nutrients. What our body actually craves for is the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that we lack. But since we are not aware of their flavor we feel hungry for the flavor of foods where our brain tends to identify these nutrients.
Unfortunately processed foods are more intense than their natural equivalents since they combine substances that don’t come together naturally (sugar and fat) and are easier to digest because they contain little fiber and protein. So before you reach for that burger try to understand what your body is trying to tell you and replace it with something healthier, with the help of the Craving meaning wheel.
When you crave Chocolate
Your body probably asks for Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral vital, among others, for our skin and hair. Magnesium levels tend to drop during the second half of women menstrual cycle or due to drinking a lot of alcohol, tea, coffee and fizzy drinks.
Foods that provide Magnesium are raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits, leafy green vegetables, brown rice, and wholemeal bread.
When you crave Bread (carbs)
Your body probably asks for Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a part of all the amino acids used to synthesize human proteins. It is essential to our normal growth, cell replacement and tissue repair.
Foods that provide Nitrogen are fish, meat, nuts, green leafy vegetables, seeds, legumes, and grains.
When you crave Sweets
Your body probably asks for:
Chromium
Chromium is a mineral that enhances the action of insulin that facilitate the uptake of glucose from the blood into our cells. Most foods contain very small amounts of Chromium (less than 2 micrograms per serving).
Foods that provide Chromium are broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calves liver, kidney, beef, chicken, carrots, potatoes, asparagus, wholegrains, and eggs.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are macronutrients that provide energy for the body. Though highly accused of being the cause of weight gain they are also necessary for the wellbeing of our brain and our nervous system.
Foods that provide Carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables, milk, nuts, grains, seeds and legumes.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a Mineral necessary for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues of the human body. Most of the phosphorus in the body is found in our bones and teeth.
Foods that provide Phosphorus are beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes and grains.
Sulfur
Sulfur is a mineral required for proteins to maintain their shape, structure and flexibility. A shortage of sulfur contributes to age-related problems such as wrinkling of skin, stiff muscles and painful joints.
Foods that provide Sulfur are cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale and cabbage.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid that when ingested is converted by the body into serotonin. Serotonin together with two other hormones, noradrenalin and dopamine, lift our mood, promote relaxation and help our body deal with stress.
Foods that provide Tryptophan are cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato and spinach.
When you crave Carbonated drinks
Your body probably asks for Calcium
Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the human body. It helps building strong bones and teeth, keeping a normal heartbeat, releasing hormones and other chemicals and sending and receiving nerve signals.
Foods that provide Calcium are dairy products, salmon, sardines, broccoli, kale, legumes, and sesame.
When you crave Salty foods
Your body probably asks for:
Chloride
Chloride is an element needed to keep the proper balance of body fluids. Depletion of chloride can occur due to excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea or use of diuretics.
Foods that provide Chloride are raw goat milk, fish, unrefined sea salt.
Silicon
Silicon is a mineral essential to our bone and skeletal health. It also has great anti-aging benefits and it is necessary for healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Foods that provide Silicon are nuts, seeds and red pepper.
When you crave Fatty foods
Your body probably asks for Zinc
Zinc is an important mineral needed for the body’s immune system to properly work. It is also necessary for cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates.
Foods that provide Zinc are beef, pork, lamb, chicken, liver, eggs, nuts, whole grains, legumes, and yeast.
