Food cravings can take over the most rational of brains, forcing the best of us to get our hands on cookies, chocolate bars or cake. Stress and mood can actually impact our “need” for certain foods, which is where we get the terms “stress eating” and “comfort foods.”

But experts find that our food cravings can tell us a lot about the state of our health. For instance, craving certain foods could mean that our bodies are lacking in major nutrients present in those foods: burgers have protein, cakes have carbs and chocolate bars have magnesium.

Nutrient deficiencies behind cravings

Different cravings point to different nutrient deficiencies. Here are six of the most common deficiencies and cravings to look out for:

Magnesium

If you find yourself reaching for chocolate – one of the most popular food cravings – you might be in need of some magnesium. This is a mineral essential for muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation and blood sugar control and blood pressure regulation.

Dark chocolate that’s at least 70 percent cocoa is particularly rich in magnesium, so opt for that instead of milk chocolate bars, chips or candies.

On the other hand, craving chocolate could also mean you need more sleep. Chocolate contains caffeine, the ingredient in coffee that makes you more alert. So if you need to get some things done and you’re suddenly craving chocolate, you might fare better napping it out instead.

Calcium

Craving soda? Chances are you need to increase your calcium intake. Many people love a fizzy, sugar-filled drink, however, studies have found that the phosphoric acids in these can strip your bones of much-needed calcium (and magnesium), creating a vicious cycle of depletion and craving.

If you’re used to drinking soda, you can start getting on top of your craving by limiting your daily intake. You can also substitute fresh, homemade fruit juices for soda gradually. Oranges, apples and mangoes contain natural sugars that are far healthier and safer than the added sugar in fizzy drinks.

Protein

If you feel like a big slab of red meat is the only thing that’ll satisfy you for the time being, your body is likely trying to tell you that it’s deficient in protein and other micronutrients like B vitamins and iron.

But this doesn’t mean you should drive to the nearest fast food joint and gorge on a burger. Instead, take this craving as a sign that you need to add more protein, iron and B vitamins to your regular diet.

For non-vegans, some good red meat substitutes include fish and chicken. Vegans, on the other hand, can get their protein, iron and B vitamins from legumes, nuts, seeds, dried fruits and grains.

Carbs

Can’t get enough of cake? You might need to eat more complex carbs. Carbs are a huge and integral part of our daily nutrient intake. Carbs provide us the energy to carry out activities and they also drive our cells to fulfill important bodily processes.

But not all carbs are created equal, and whether carbs are good or bad comes down to the kind of carbs in the foods we eat. Cakes are full of refined carbs that can be just as bad as sugar. While sugar can energize us after eating, it can also send us crashing down.

So instead of indulging in another slice of cake, whip up a bowl of whole-grain oatmeal or snack on some whole-wheat crackers. Whole grains are rich in complex carbs that take longer to digest. This means that our bodies can use complex carbs as fuel for far longer.

Iron

Some people just love chewing ice. It’s cool, it’s crisp and it’s better than snacking on junk foods. But an intense desire to snack on ice might be a sign of anemia. This medical condition occurs due to a lack of iron, which affects how much red blood cells our bodies are able to produce.

While the relationship between anemia and ice cravings is still unclear, experts speculate that the link between the two might have something to do with how chewing ice increases blood flow to the brain.

Indulging in unhealthy food cravings is a big no-no for health and nutrition. But learning to listen to the messages behind these cravings and responding by eating healthier foods can help you stay on top of your cravings in the long run.

Sources:

Break.com

MayoClinic.org