Print article Many people believe cravings are a sign of weakness, and often times feel guilty and flawed when they “give in” to their cravings. First off, this is bogus thinking and if you fall into this pattern you need to understand that cravings are not the problem. Nor are you. Your body is an amazing machine that only wants the best for you; the last thing it wants to do is make you feel bad.
Cravings are the body’s solution to underlying imbalances, and food becomes a form of medicine to regulate its state.
There are several things that can cause food cravings: dehydration, lifestyle, lack of nutrients, seasonal changes, emotional needs, and/or hormones. People can develop cravings for different flavors and textures. Some of the common flavors we tend to crave are sugar, salt, and dairy. Textures and consistencies, such as crunchy foods or rich creamy foods, are also high on the cravings list. Often times cravings occur because of our lifestyle. For example, when we miss meals and are starving, we tend to overeat. Lack of sleep can cause us to crave sugar or fat, especially in the evenings. Highly processed foods rich in fat and sugar may trigger addiction-like symptoms, in turn, increasing cravings. If we are not drinking enough water, we might begin to crave salt. Being physically inactive may cause cravings-exercise, even simple walking, can decrease cravings for junk food and prevent stress eating.
Mental Causes from Food Cravings
Stress-Stress can increase your levels of the hormone cortisol. High cortisol levels may be linked to hunger, cravings, and a higher likelihood of stress-or binge-eating behaviors.
Your Personality-Some evidence suggests that people who are more impulsive or have higher scores on measures of addictive personality may also have a higher likelihood of experiencing food cravings.
Your Mood-Certain moods may trigger cravings for specific foods. For example, negative moods appear to often spark cravings for comfort foods.
Learning to understand your cravings is a great place to start bringing balance to your body. The next time your body is craving something, and before you impulsively reach for something you know isn’t good for you, take a moment to stop and think about what is really going on. Consider what your body is asking for…start with the flavor. You can deconstruct the craving and make a better choice.
Below is a chart of “Common Cravings and How to Deal with Them” Dr. Annemarie Colbin, Ph.D. Colbin was an author, lecturer and founder of The Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts. She was a pioneer, making the connection that many modern illnesses are the result of poor eating habits and the proliferation of processed, GMO’s and artificial foods. She also realized that refined ingredients, like processed sweeteners and grains, were harmful to health, and tirelessly advocated for reduction of their use.
Food cravings can be caused by a variety of physical or mental factors. They may be a sign of hormonal imbalances, a suboptimal diet, high stress levels, or a lack of sleep or physical activity. If you’re trying to find ways to help you with cravings for highly processed and sugary foods, a Health Consultation is a great place to start! Learn more here.
