Food is a very important thing in our lives. In addition to being a basic need of all living beings, it also turns out to be something very, very pleasant. Unlike other animals, people also consume food for taste and not just instinct. But not only that, but food cravings can also be signals that our brain sends us so that we know that we need something. If you want to know why we have food cravings and what they say about our health, keep reading. We tell you in Supercurious!
So why do we have food cravings?
Have you ever felt the urge to eat chocolate, something salty, or even consume some type of alcohol? Don’t you feel calm until you manage to satisfy these food cravings? Around food there is a whole science and psychology that, more than talking about nutrition, also refers to the need or physical and even emotional deficiencies of our body. Therefore, every time you have a craving, do not discard it, try to listen to your body. Just as we have the feeling of hunger to tell us that we need to nourish ourselves, cravings for a particular food signify a specific deficiency. We tell you some of the most common.
1.Chocolate
Chocolate can be beneficialbut it is also one of the great food cravings, one of the most popular, and also an indication that our body is probably not producing enough serotonin. It is a substance that helps us maintain emotional stability, hence the craving for chocolate occurs at times when we feel sad or anxious. If you are particularly interested in this food, do not miss our Curious Chocolate Facts.
2. Red meat
A craving for red meat may indicate that you have a need for irona problem especially for women with heavy periods. Iron allows the production of red blood cells, which are the ones that oxygenate our blood. For this reason it is important that we have a balanced iron level in our body. On the other hand, if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can balance the lack of iron with other foods such as legumes, cockles, sardines, plums, figs and other dried fruits.
3. French fries and junk food
Cravings for this type of food usually occur when our body asks for salt. These meals tend to have high levels of salt and are usually accompanied by many sauces, with a high sodium index. So, This craving occurs when we go through stressful situations, since, when we get stressed, we produce a high level of hormones that unbalance our body.
Faced with this situation, our brain requests the consumption of minerals such as sodium from salt, in order to allow hormone levels to stabilize. On the other hand, these meals are usually crunchysomething that is related to anxiety, since, by biting into something with that texture, we can release the tension in our muscles. In addition, we can talk about a deficiency of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium and chlorine.
4. Cheese
Who doesn’t want a ton of cheese to accompany their meals? But what strong cravings for cheese can indicate about your health is that, perhaps you are not eating enough fat and/or omega-3 fatty acids. If this is the case, the best sources of good fats are fatty fish, such as salmon, flaxseeds, avocados, and walnuts.
5. Sweets
The body is also a bit capricious: the more sweet it eats, the more it wants. Simple carbs also spike your blood sugar, leading to a release of insulin, followed by a blood sugar crash. When this crash occurs, your appetite may increase and you may crave more sugar.
6. Bread, cookies, cakes…
When we talk about pastry cravings, we mean all bread-like food, be it cookies or cakes. According to various psychological studies, cravings for this type of food indicate that we crave company and feel lonely or rejected. It is said that in the human psyche bread is closely related to family union and coexistence. And, in fact, in different cultures, bread on the table is a way of inviting everyone.
7. Pasta
A craving for pasta is very similar to a craving for sugar or sweets, and it happens because simple carbohydrates are processed in the same way as sugar. once they are digested. If you eat too many simple carbs and not enough protein and fat, your blood sugar levels will fluctuate, causing you to crave more carbs. So, to stop this craving, it is best to vary your diet and keep it as balanced as possible.
8. Spicy
This may not be a very popular meal, but many of us have definitely been craving something spicy. The reason why we crave spicy is that this type of food contains high levels of enzymes that help us control stress. When we eat something spicy, most of the time we start to sweat, runny nose and even cry, and it turns out that all these physiological responses also help to combat a stressful situation.
Are there remedies for food cravings?
By satisfying cravings, our body feels better. But this sensation is not lasting and, once it passes, we will feel an imbalance again. In these cases, The best thing we can do is identify why we have certain cravings and from there see what solution we find..
If you determine that it is loneliness, you can try to organize a plan with your friends or family. if you suffer from stress, You could try breathing exercises. On the other hand, whenever you feel a craving, stop for a moment and ask yourself if that is the best thing for you, take a deep breath and let that feeling disappear.
In any case, It is best to consult your doctor or psychologist so that both your physical and mental health are in good hands.. Additionally, remember that it is ideal to maintain a balanced diet so that you do not have deficiencies in your body, so we also recommend making an appointment with a nutritionist if you feel that you should improve your diet. Thus, Your doctor may be able to recommend substitute foods that can help ease your food cravings.
Tell us if you knew this information about why we have food cravings and remember that, although it is important to take care of ourselves, it is not bad to satisfy our cravings from time to time. 🙂