Happy Monday!

I’m back from my weekend trip!  Did plenty of shopping…my feet are still sore!  Thought this would be an interesting post as I sit here thinking about Thanksgiving (in Canada) being only 1 week away.  Everyone gets cravings once in a while, but if its a very persistent thing for a specific food, you gotta think that maybe its linked to a missing nutrient in your diet.  I certainly believe that sometimes cravings can be the result of being low in important nutrients.

Here are some popular items people crave, and some of the nutrient links….

CHOCOLATE

In studies, those who craved chocolate were often deficient in magnesium and B vitamins, especially B6 and B12. A common symptom that went along with the chocolate craving was fatigue.

 

 

 

SUGAR

Chromium – sugar cravings can indicate a chromium diffiency.  When you feel a sugar craving try taking 200 micrograms of chromium. Chromium helps insulin get glucose into your cells, and when that happens the message to your brain that you need more sugar can stop.

Zinc – a deficiency in zinc can cause poor sense of taste and smell…making sugar more desirable as it is one of the flavors you can taste better. Getting your zinc up to sufficient levels can satisfy your taste buds with less sugar.

L-Glutamine – for very strong sugar cravings take 500 milligrams l-glutamine up to three times a day. You can even open a capsule and put the powder on your tongue. L-glutamine is an amino acid that is converted into food for the brain.

Stevia – its a great way to get sweetness naturally (in coffee, tea, baking) without spiking blood sugar levels.

CARBS

5-HTP – when carb cravings come on strong in the evening, reach for 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). This modified amino acid forms serotonin and melatonin in the body, so it will curb your carb cravings and relax you before bed. Clinical studies back up its power to reduce food intake, particularly high-carb foods–in overweight subjects.  Take 50-100 milligrams about 1-2 hours before bed.

 

 

 

SALT

A salt craving may mean you are not eating enough of it, or you are eating too much.  Most people who crave salt are eating too much of it, so their bodies get used to it and crave more.  Salt cravings are also linked to overstimulation of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands release hormones in response to stress. If your adrenal glands are overstimulated and you are in a state of adrenal fatigue, you tend to crave salty foods.

 

PROTEIN

People who crave protein may have an amino acid deficiency.  You need a variety of protein foods to get all of the essential amino acids. People are also conditioned to control their blood sugar by eating meats, so a protein craving could indicate a blood-sugar imbalance. Craving protein may also mean you have an iron or mineral deficiency, or that you are losing weight and need more protein to maintain lean muscle mass.

Whey Protein Isolate – since you can chew only so much animal protein in a day, a whey protein isolate without carbohydrates in the mix is the best way to get the extra protein you’ll need.  Use 30-40 grams of whey protein isolate 2 times a day.

 

DAIRY PRODUCTS

So what does a dairy craving mean? It could mean you are allergic to dairy, because out bodies often crave the very food that is bad for them. This happens because the allergen irritates your body, which responds by releasing natural opiates to counteract the effect of the irritant.  So even though you are allergic to a food, you get a short-term reward, and then crave the allergen to repeat the cycle.

 

 

Source: How to stop sugar cravings with nutritional supplements

Source: What your hunger is telling you

Your thoughts?  Post them in the comments below!

xo Kristine