Did you know most people view cravings as a weakness? In reality a craving is more of a message to assist you in maintaining a healthy balanced body. Instead of satisfying the craving, ask yourself this question, “What does my body want?”
Common Causes of Cravings
Life Imbalances
Are you feeling out of balance with something in your life? Food cravings can be used to fill the void when one or more of the following “primary foods” are out of sync. Maybe you are stressed with your career, struggling with a relationship or feeling you have no time to exercise. It’s time to evaluate and find the root cause to your life imbalance and remove the craving.
Seasons and Holidays
As the seasons change with holidays mixed in between can create some unique food cravings. Like ice cream a cooling food for summer and grounding food like pumpkin pie for fall. Holidays are cravings for turkey with all the fixin’ mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing! Try healthier seasonal choices like leafy greens in the spring, squash in the fall and baked sweet potatoes for holidays!
Water
Are you thirsty or hungry? Often times a craving may mean that you are getting dehydrated. So when you feel a craving coming on drink an 8-oz glass of water instead. Keep your water intake well balanced through out the day consuming half your body weight (weight 130 lbs = 65 ounces water/day).
Childhood Foods
A craving can appear from a food we remember eating as a child. Comfort foods like grilled cheese sandwiches, meatloaf and baked mac n’ cheese are a few I remember. We also got to enjoy fresh cherry and apple pies picked right from our backyard fruit trees. Fresh baked sugar cookies cut-out into stars and Christmas tress warm out of the over are still a craving for me. All of these foods I rarely eat though in order to keep my low blood sugar stable.
Lack of Nutrients
Wonder why you crave salty foods sometimes and others times sugar? Your body is smart and knows what nutrients you may be lacking. Increase your daily leafy greens to maintain your mineral levels rather than reaching for those salty chips. Consume small servings of protein 3 to 4 times through out the day to reduce your sugar cravings.
In Conclusion
If food cravings are driving you crazy, I hope my post will help you stop and ask yourself this question, “What does my body want?”
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Cheers to a Healthy 2014!
I’m a Midwest gal who began on a journey to live a healthier life way back when I was in college. Now just like all of you, the twists and turns of my life have led me to where I am today. Passionate about healthy living, community and social media, I invite you to Live Young with me!
