Why is it that so many people have food cravings?
Generally, women crave chocolate and men enjoy wings and beer.
It amazes me how food cravings can sway even a rational human mind.
If you’re tired of feeling at war with your food cravings, I have some great tips that may help you.
Let’s identify the root cause of food cravings and 5 ways to beat them.
(1) Consider a Candida detox
Sugar is the most common food craving. Have you ever considered that the yeast Candida may be driving your intense desire for sweets?
If you struggle with carbohydrate cravings, a Candida blood test may be a good idea.
The Candida Panel is a test that Dr. Sara offers to her patients.
Candida is a type of yeast that can cause unbearable cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.
A solution to dealing with this specific craving is to starve the yeast with a Candida Cleanse.
(2) Keep healthy snacks on you at all times
Put them in your car, at your desk, and in your gym bag.
Healthy options include power balls (made with nut butters, coconut oil, and cocoa), nuts and seeds, hummus and rice crackers, or fruit.
(3) Eat every 4-6 hours (unless you’re doing intermittent fasting)
Ensure your meals/snacks consist of good fats and protein.
Eating clean is not always easy, since there’s more prep involved. You may have to wake up early to pack foods for your day.
Although it may seem like a lot of work (initially), it’s worth it. Healthy meals packed with nutrients may help get rid of afternoon fatigue and sugar cravings.
(4) Stay well hydrated
Most people don’t drink enough water.
As a result, they feel thirsty, but commonly mistake being ‘thirsty’ for being ‘hungry’.
Sip plenty of lemon water and herbal teas throughout the day.
One of my favourite teas is yerba mate. This tasty South American tea suppresses the appetite, helps balance blood glucose levels, and boosts metabolism. A definite plus!
(5) Listen to your body
Your cravings may indicate a nutrient, vitamin, or mineral deficiency.
For example, an iron deficiency may be why you’re craving steak.
Check out the chart below for more information to help you understand specific food cravings.
This chart has been referenced in many different sources and is commonly used by Naturopathic Doctors.
I’m sure it will help you understand the complex world of food cravings.
If you crave this… |
What you really need is… |
And here are healthy foods that have it: |
| Chocolate | Magnesium | Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruit |
| Sweets | Chromium | Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calves liver, chicken |
| Carbon | Fresh fruits | |
| Phosphorus | Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, grains | |
| Sulfur | Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage | |
| Tryptophan | Cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach | |
| Bread, toast | Nitrogen | High protein foods: fish, meat, nuts, beans |
| Oily snacks, fatty foods | Calcium | Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame |
| Coffee or tea | Phosphorous | Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes |
| Sulfur | Egg yolks, red peppers, muscle protein, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables | |
| NaCl (salt) | Sea salt, apple cider vinegar | |
| Iron | Meat, fish and poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries | |
| Alcohol, recreational drugs | Protein | Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, nuts |
| Avenin | Granola, oatmeal | |
| Calcium | Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame | |
| Glutamine | Glutamine Supplement, glutamine powder for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice | |
| Potassium | Sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens | |
| Chewing ice | Iron | Meat, fish, poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries |
| Burned food | Carbon | Fresh fruits |
| Soda and other carbonated drinks | Calcium | Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame |
| Salty foods | Chloride | Raw goat milk, fish, unrefined sea salt |
| Acid foods | Magnesium | Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits |
| Preference for liquids rather than solids | Water | Flavor water with lemon or lime |
| Preference for solids rather than liquids | Water | You have been so dehydrated for so long that you have lost your thirst |
| Cool drinks | Manganese | Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries |
| Pre-menstrual cravings | Zinc | Red meats (especially organ meats), seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables |
| General overeating | Silicon | Nuts, seeds |
| Tryptophan | Cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach | |
| Tyrosine | Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables | |
| Lack of appetite | Vitamin B1 | Nuts, seeds, beans, liver and other organ meats |
| Vitamin B3 | Tuna, halibut, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, seeds and legumes | |
| Manganese | Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries | |
| Chloride | Raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt | |
| Tobacco | Silicon | Nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches |
| Tyrosine | Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetable |
References:
- Lectures, Cheryl M. Deroin, NMD, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Spring 2003 (healthy food recommendations)
- Benard Jenson, PhD, The Chemistry of Man B. Jensen Publisher, 1983 (deficiencies linked to specific cravings and some food recommendations)
Dr. Sara has appeared on multiple radio shows/podcasts, the W Network, Breakfast Television and CP24. For almost 5 years, she worked as the National Spokesperson for a well-known digestive wellness brand, educating across the globe on gut health. Dr. Sara has been named a rising star in Canada receiving the Generation Next award for her outstanding contribution to shaping the future of Canada’s grocery industry. She frequently contributes to large publications and has been published in Best Health Magazine, The Globe and Mail, Sweat Equity, Grocery Business, Inside Fitness, Canadian Living, Elevate, HELLO, and ELLE Canada.
Dr. Sara’s approach to healthcare is not as easy as taking a pill. The “quick-fix” approach is not one she subscribes to. While there’s a pill for just about everything, rarely do prescription drugs stop the course of disease - they merely mask symptoms. Dr. Sara believes true health requires a commitment from both the doctor and the patient.
No Comments