Understanding our cravings for sweet and salty snacks can be tricky, confusing and downright frustrating. We often associate them with negative emotions, lack of self control and weight loss failures. But cravings are an important source of information that often signals a lack in our body that needs attention and nurturing.

When we are able to tune in and get clear on the source of our cravings, we can make empowered choices that support our health & wellbeing.

There are a few key factors that trigger cravings:

Perhaps the biggest factor is dehydration. If you are not hydrated properly, you will automatically crave food, regardless of true hunger. Always, reach for a glass of water first.

Another important factor in our cravings is sleep. When our bodies don’t get enough rest, they produce a hormone called grehlin, that will impact our cravings. This is our bodies trying to compensate for the lack of sleep with other sources of energy.

Cravings can be separated into two main categories:

Nutrient cravings and emotional cravings. Let’s cover these below.

Nutrient cravings are true physiological cravings and our innate body wisdom seeking healing and balance. Here are our main triggers deconstructed.

Sugar

Sugar is the brain’s preferred fuel, and something we’ve been biologically programmed to seek out. A craving for sugar is often related to tiredness, and our bodies’ way of looking for fast fuel to keep going.

If you’re craving sweets, stick natural sweets like fresh fruit, that you can pair with a handful of nuts, to help keep your blood sugar stable and help keep those cravings under control.

CHOCOLATE

CHOCOLATE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A DEEP ROOTED PHYSIOLOGICAL CRAVING. WOMEN OFTEN CRAVE CHOCOLATE DURING THEIR PERIODS. RAW CHOCOLATE OR CACAO IS VERY HIGH IN MAGNESIUM, WHICH A WOMAN’S BODY NEEDS MORE OF DURING HER MENSES TO SUPPORT HER CYCLE AND ALLEVIATE MUSCLE CRAMPS.

If you’re craving chocolate, choose raw cacao instead of the processed cocoa or milk chocolate that you find most commonly and lack the nutrients our bodies truly crave.

Fat

Cravings for greasy, fatty foods often signal that you’re in need of some fat.  Our bodies depend on essential fatty acids for many vital functions, and we need fat in order to absorb fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

If you are craving fatty foods, reach for healthy fats found in avocados, nuts, seeds and olives.

SALT

Cravings for salt are often a need for minerals and electrolytes. A craving for salt can also be a sign that you’re dehydrated. Which can also explain a pregnant woman’s salty cravings since her need for minerals and hydration needs to increase.

Adding a pinch of sea salt to drinking water can go a long way to maintaining hydration and keeping cravings for salty foods to a minimum.

Emotional cravings – Understanding our cravings goes beyond the scientific and physiological. Our cravings often stem from emotional places. Do you soothe yourself with sugar or carbs to make yourself feel better? If your craving is emotional, try going for a walk, jump on the trampoline or dance it out. Writing in a journal, or calling a friend for support can also nurture the emotional void.

If you are trying to break a habitual craving, try replacing the habit with a better one: a cup of herbal tea is always a good idea.

Finally, understanding the body’s need for balance is essential in understanding cravings. If you consume an excess of expansive foods such as sugar and coffee, you’ll crave contractive foods such as salty and fatty snacks to find internal equilibrium.