Do you know that feeling when you really crave a bar of chocolate or a bag of crisps and you can't resist these cravings? It's not hunger, just an incredible urge to raid the pantry and satisfy your sweet tooth… This craving often has nothing to do with that box of chocolates that seems to be calling your name, but nine out of ten times it has a deeper underlying cause - namely a deficiency in various nutrients. We'll discuss this in this blog.
Chocolate cravings
Do you crave a brownie, that chocolate bar, or a box of chocolates incredibly much? Then there's a good chance your body is actually longing for extra magnesium. Chocolate contains the substance phenylethylamine, which causes your brain to produce the neurotransmitter endorphin. This neurotransmitter creates a happy and joyful feeling, which is why it is sometimes said that 'chocolate makes you happy'.
A magnesium deficiency can be worsened by stress, caffeine, alcohol and... sweets! So, try to keep the pantry closed during your next chocolate craving and, for example, make a smoothie with spinach, avocado, and banana - all rich in magnesium! And to indulge your chocolate craving a little, you can add a scoop of Cacao Mix . It tastes delicious and is also rich in magnesium.
Candy cravings
Can't you walk past the candy store without salivating, and does a bag of wine gums regularly end up in your shopping basket? This could indicate a deficiency in the mineral chromium. A lack of chromium causes an extra craving for sweets because this mineral plays a role in regulating your blood sugar levels.
The 'problem' with eating sweets is that when you indulge in a bag of wine gums, your blood sugar level spikes dramatically. This spike causes insulin to be released, resulting in a blood sugar dip and even more craving for sweets!
It's a vicious cycle that you can break by choosing foods rich in the mineral chromium, but less sweet and sugary. Examples include green vegetables (green beans, broccoli), whole grain products (be moderate with gluten), and to a lesser extent, meat, fish, and dairy products.
Want to read more about your blood sugar levels? Click here for tips to keep your blood sugar levels stable, or read what foods can contribute to a more stable blood sugar level.
Crisps cravings
Do you crave a salty snack or a bowl of crisps on the couch every evening? And does one bowl invariably turn into a whole bag? It's usually not the fried potatoes your body is asking for, but primarily the sodium they contain.
Sodium plays an important role in regulating your fluid balance and in muscle contraction. In addition, sodium, together with the mineral potassium, makes an important contribution to regulating your blood pressure. Sodium is the main component of salt and is therefore richly present in salty foods such as crisps.
After an evening of drinks (alcohol is dehydrating), a run (sweating), or a busy day where you didn't drink enough, your fluid balance is out of whack, and your body craves extra sodium. It's best to replace your bowl of crisps with a few olives, some carrots, or anchovies.
Bread cravings
At lunch, do you often crave a 'traditional' sandwich instead of a nutritious salad or bowl of soup? Bread is, of course, easy to take with you, and you can vary the toppings endlessly, but it also contains the substance tryptophan. All reasons to often reach for a sandwich!
Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps produce several important substances in the brain, such as the happiness hormones dopamine and serotonin, as well as the sleep hormone melatonin. So, you can actually see tryptophan as the precursor to your happiness and sleep hormones. You'll find this important substance in bread, but also in pasta, rice, and other carbohydrate-rich foods.
Do you sometimes want to eat fewer carbohydrates? Fortunately, there are also plenty of low-carb but tryptophan-rich foods such as eggs, walnuts, chicken, and tuna. But bananas and plums can also be added to your shopping list more often!
Meat cravings
Do you dream of pork chops and medium-rare steak? Then there's a good chance your body is screaming for extra iron. Iron plays an important role in your immune system and helps transport oxygen throughout your body. With an iron deficiency, you are often very tired and listless, have restless legs, and pale skin.
If you eat no (or little) red meat, there is a chance of iron deficiency. Therefore, it is advisable to add foods such as lentils, spinach, nuts, and pumpkin seeds to your meals!
