What do your food cravings really mean? Usually, when you crave something, that is your brain signaling that it is lacking a certain nutrient, and so it will automatically gravitate to the things that are easy, un-healthy and leave us wanting more (since the foods we often gravitate to will momentarily satisfy us, however, our brains will keep on firing, and telling us to eat more – since we didn’t give it the proper nutrients – which leads us into a rabbit hole of over-eating).
Our environment is also a major trigger for food cravings. Social situations, visual cues, and smells are ways in which we delve into our deep-rooted food desires. If you want to find ways in which you can battle your cravings successfully, then you need to understand what your brain is telling you it wants. Here is a guide which can help you achieve just that!
Really great list Carly – I am a nutritional medicine practitioner in Australia and I have a client who craves vinegar. Apparently her mother had the same craving. I was thinking fermented foods?? Any ideas? Thanks Chris
Hey Chris!
I have never heard of that craving before! Vinegar is acidic, so perhaps lacking vitamins in acidic fruits like vitamin C? Hmmm..maybe she needs to regulate her pH levels, but it is rare that a body is too alkaline. It is often the case we are more acidic than alkaline, internally. (of course being more alkaline is optimal, and it is something I try to achieve with an all raw diet 🙂 )
Carly – I really like this chart – thank you for sharing. Regarding the vinegar craving…what kind of vinegar? From what I learned, Apple Cider Vinegar has an alkaline effect on our bodies. I am not sure if regular white vinegar does so. My brother has been daily using cider vinegar and notices he rarely has acid reflux anymore as well. Not sure what the mineral deficiency might be for the cravings?
Use raw apple cider vinegar! Or coconut vinegar 🙂 White vinegar is not good.
Good morning! I love this chart! I shared it with a nutrition class I am taking and gave this link to the class when I found it. The chart was originally sent to me on Facebook. Thank you very much!
Thank you kindly! 🙂
What if your craving is never satisfied? I’m always craving fruit but I eat too much and get sick, then I want more…
Do you eat fruit that is 100% ripe? If your fruit is not ripe, you will never be satisfied as the sugars have not fully converted and the minerals and vitamins are not as bio-available. Also, make sure you eat organic produce, because the soil will be more nutrient rich and thus will have more minerals and will satisfy you. Have you considered taking a mineral supplement to reduce your cravings?