We all know about food cravings - who hasn't had one? Although it's well known that food cravings are typically your body's way of telling you that it needs a certain vitamin or mineral, you might be surprised to find out that even the cravings for things that aren't typically associated with health are also your body's cry for something healthy.
Believe it or not, craving a nice cold glass of soda-pop can signal a deficiency in calcium. The phosphoric acid found in soda binds calcium, but the caffeine that is typically found in sodas causes calcium excretion. Try eating cheese, black-eyed peas, kale, sardines, broccoli, or corn tortillas to curb the soda cravings.
It is easy to succumb to chocolate cravings for its serotonin releasing properties to get us through a tough time. Chocolate increases our feeling of well-being and helps us de-stress, but do you know that it can also be your body's way of telling you it needs magnesium? If you're craving chocolate even on the happiest of days, try eating whole grain bread or eating more nuts to get the magnesium you need with fewer calories and no sugar high.
Cravings for red meat might seem obvious - you could have a protein or iron deficiency. Be sure you are getting enough protein, if not through eating meat then through foods like tofu, beans, and nuts. Those foods are also a good source of iron, along with spinach, prunes, and brussels sprouts.
Of course, food cravings can signal medical conditions that require doctor's attention as well, so if eating healthier doesn't help, it might be time to get a professional opinion. Don't ignore your body craving certain foods though - even the foods we know aren't healthy in large amounts. It probably means you are missing something in your diet.
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