Cravings! …We all get them, and when you get one, it is hard to ignore. What most people do not realize is that when we get cravings, although they may be for a certain food, they generally are about our body telling us to eat something we’re missing, as our bodies may be lacking some nutrient that they need! So a craving, while it might be for something that sounds tasty, is often just our bodies saying, “Hey, I need something I’m not getting!” Here’s a secret…It’s not the junk food you think you want. The good news is that you can still listen to those cravings and give your body its needs, without filling your body with processed foods, refined sugar, artificial ingredients, high fat content, and calories.
So when you find yourself craving something, how do you know what the smart choice is to eat, that still satisfies that craving? Easy! This easy guide will help you find the healthy and smart choices to make about your cravings.
Sweets
When you are craving sweets and candy, your body may actually be craving carbon, phosphorus, chromium, sulfur, and tryptophan. Instead of reaching for a candy bar or some candy, reach for foods that are rich in carbon phosphorus, chromium, sulfur, and tryptophan. With this one, prevention is far more effective than trying to address existing cravings, so to help prevent so many sweets cravings, try eating foods like these frequently: broccoli, spinach, kale, grapes, nuts, bean sprouts, horseradish, cabbage, cranberries, cruciferous vegetables, and fresh fruit.
Bread
When you are craving bread–especially white bread–it could mean that your body is craving nitrogen. Instead of bread, eat some delicious raw bean sprouts or soaked nuts instead! Another option is a whole foods plant based “bread” such as Manna Bread, which is a flourless, sprouted, whole foods bread. It’s dense like cake and is lovely topped with avocado or sliced bananas.
Fatty Junk Food
This has got to be one of the most common cravings, for vegans and non-vegans alike. But, luckily it’s one we can address. So when you find yourself craving junk food, what could your body be trying to tell you?
One possibility is calcium. Instead of reaching for that bag of chips, eat these instead: sesame seeds (or raw tahini), bean sprouts, kale, mustard greens, and broccoli.
Coffee
SO many of us are former (or current!) coffee addicts. While it’s true that a lot of the craving is indeed the caffeine, there are other factors as well.
When you are craving coffee, your body is likely to also be craving salt, iron, sulfur and phosphorous. Instead of reaching for that cup of coffee, reach for these instead to satisfy the craving: seaweed (like nori), nuts, black cherries, bean sprouts, greens, apple cider vinegar, red peppers, garlic, sea salt, cruciferous vegetables, and onion.
Alcohol or Marijuana
Another things many of use have struggled with–When you find yourself craving either alcohol or marijuana, it may be because your body is really craving protein, avenin, calcium, glutamine, and potassium. Instead of reaching for a drink or for a smoke, eat these instead: bitter greens, raw granola, raw black olives, nuts, seaweed, raw cabbage juice, kale, broccoli, and sprouted beans.
Soda
When you find yourself craving carbonated drinks, your body may actually be craving calcium. Instead of that soda, reach for these instead: sprouted beans, dark greens, sesame seeds, broccoli, and kale.
Salty Foods
Here’s an easy one: When you find yourself craving salty snack foods, it is usually because your body is truly craving salt. Just like so many other nutrients, there are good and bad sources of sodium. Instead of salty snacks, reach for some unrefined sea salt or Himalayan salt instead. Sea salt is rich in minerals and great on dehydrated kale chips or as a sprinkling over raw soups or avocados. If you’re anti-salt, celery is a vegetable that is naturally high in sodium.
Tobacco
One of the most common addictions many people worldwide stuggle with is tobacco. Advertisements for cigarettes and other tobacco products are all over, and unfortunately, smoking in public places is very common in many areas. So, when you find yourself battling a craving for tobacco, it is because your body is craving silicon and tyrosine.
To help combat tobacco cravings, eat plenty of the following: citrus fruits like oranges, nuts, lemons, greens, red fruits and vegetables, and seeds (try some sunflower sprouts over salad).
PMS
This one is for the ladies: One week out of every month does not have to be a marathon of pain, irritation, and insanity. When you are feeling a bit out of sorts due to PMS, it is probably because you are craving zinc. Instead of dealing with PMS and popping pain pills, make sure to eat plenty of these instead to relieve the symptoms: root vegetables like carrots and parsnips, and green, leafy vegetables. If you’re having trouble getting enough leafy greens, you can always try green juice or green smoothies.
Lack of Appetite
Less common, but some of us have this as well: When you are not feeling hungry, but you know that you should eat, consider that it may be because your body is lacking in vitamin B1, vitamin B3, manganese, and chloride.
Try eating more of: Himalayan salt, nuts, bean sprouts, seeds, blueberries, and pineapple, and see if your appetite starts to pick back up. Seek medical attention if you feel your lack of appetite is potentially putting you in danger of malnourishment!
Eating too Much
When you are eating too much and cannot seem to feel full, your body may merely be craving silicon, tryptophan and tyrosine. What can you eat to get that “satisfied” feeling? Reach for these foods to help soothe the need to keep eating: nuts, citrus fruits, seeds, spinach, greens, red fruits, and vegetables.
