7 Common Food Cravings: What they tell you about your body's health

Body Talk: What your food cravings are actually telling you about your health

Sarah Khan

27 Dec 2017

1/8
Carbohydrates
What It Means: If you’re fantasising about a creamy bowl of pasta or wolfing down a juicy pepperoni pizza, it might be a sign of fatigue, insulin resistance, hypoglycemia or chromium deficiency. Craving for processed carbs like white breads, noodles and more could also indicate that you need more fiber in your diet for better blood sugar levels.

A Healthy Alternative: Fiber-, magnesium- and chromium-rich foods like bananas, apples, apricots, spinach, avocado and broccoli
2/8
Chocolate
What It Means: Considering that chocolates are a rich source of magnesium, a chocolate craving could be a sign that you’re in need of magnesium, chromium, B-vitamins or essential fatty acids.

A Healthy Alternative: Instead of succumbing to that pint of chocolate ice cream or bowl of mousse, add powdered chocolate to your morning smoothie, or opt for a dark chocolate bar (with at least 75% cocoa) to sort out your chocolate fix!
3/8
Sugar
What It Means: Alas, who hasn’t been hit by a bout of sugar craving? Before you cave into the sweet cakes, drinks and desserts, know that this craving is a sign of an imbalance in your blood sugar levels, as well as mineral deficiencies like chromium and magnesium.

A Healthy Alternative: Opt for healthier options like real fruits instead!
4/8
Coffee and Tea
What It Means: A constant need for your caffeine fix is more than just about perking you up; it could actually be a sign of iron deficiency.

A Healthy Alternative: For a more sustainable source of energy and to boost your iron levels, eat leafy greens like kale, spinach and cabbage, and also consume more vitamin C which helps your body absorb iron better.
5/8
Fried Foods
What It Means: If you are constantly craving for fast food and other greasy indulgences, it could be a sign of essential fatty acid deficiency.

A Healthy Alternative: Steer clear of foods rich in saturated and trans-fats like French fries, margarine and processed chips. These foods increase the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream and also reduces the amount of beneficial HDL cholesterol. Instead, opt for healthy fats and oils found in salmon, avocado, nuts, nut butters, olive oil and flax seed.
6/8
Soda & Carbonated Drinks
What It Means: If you’re craving a fizzy drink to tide you through the day, it may mean that your body is needs more calcium.

A Healthy Alternative: With its dubious and dangerous ingredients (which have been linked to various health issues like obesity and cancer), it is no secret that sodas and carbonated beverages are drinks you should avoid. Opt for a healthy tea or a fruit smoothie instead!
7/8
Steaks, Burgers & Red Meat
What It Means: We all appreciate a beautifully prepared chunk of succulent steak; but an incessant desire for red meat is a sign of iron deficiency. This can lead to chronic issues like heart disease and more.

A Healthy Alternative: When you’re hit with a carnivorous craving, be sure to respond to your body’s indication for more iron by consuming beans, legumes, spinach and even dried fruit to replenish your iron levels.
8/8
Salty Food
What It Means: This craving may be the result of fluctuations in your stress hormone levels and low levels of electrolytes.

A Healthy Alternative: Vitamin B-rich foods are the key to responding to stress, so stock up on your nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. To increase your electrolytes, swig down a refreshing bottle of coconut water! Be sure to opt for the unflavoured, sugar-free variety though.

It turns out your food cravings aren’t so random and fickle after all.

Cravings: we all have them and probably succumb to them more than we’d like to admit.

And it seems like your cravings can appear pretty random: you could be craving a succulent piece of steak one day, but then completely fantasise about a creamy bowl of carb-rich pasta the next.

However, before you chalk it up to your cravings being fickle, hear us out: did you know that the types of foods you’re craving is your body’s way of telling you what it needs more of?

For one, if you’re incessantly desiring a greasy food fix at McDonald’s, it’s not just because inexplicably hungry. In fact, it’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s lacking in essential fatty acids.

We’ve outlined 8 common food cravings you probably lusted for at some point, and share what each craving tells you about your body’s health – find out more in the gallery above!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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