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Cravings = Communication.
Cravings are just your body’s way of telling you what it needs or how it’s imbalanced—down to the cellular level. Your body is brilliant. If you take the time to listen to her, she will tell you everything you need to know.
Since I’m not a guy to just tell you a problem and then walk away, below is a list of common cravings—and what you are ACTUALLY craving, nutrients you are most likely deficient in, and solutions.
Buckle up—it’s time for listening, learning, and then making practical changes.
Sweet
You are craving cookies, ice cream, the “I just need a bit of chocolate right now” feeling…
What you are actually craving: Happiness, energy, and sugar.
Emotional
Do you notice that you specifically crave chocolate when feeling lonely or sad? Chocolate is high in polyphenols that boost mood. Just the sight and smell of it can stimulate the brain's pleasure center. And chocolate makers have played up the scientific fact in their marketing and storytelling.
Premenstrual and menstrual week
Most women I know crave sweets before and during their period—especially when experiencing cramping and PMS. It’s not a made-up thing at all.
Your body is working overtime to create enough progesterone, and a lack of magnesium (and other minerals) and fiber-rich slow-burning carbs leads to miserable menstrual symptoms and immense cravings for brownies (and your dessert of choice).
Stress
Let’s be honest; most of us are stressed. When we are—we turn to sugar. This is because the cortisol your adrenal glands are secreting makes you crave sweets for the quick-burning sugar they provide to keep you in the harmful fight-or-flight response.
Nutrients you are most like deficient in: Minerals: magnesium, potassium, sodium bicarbonate, and trace minerals such as healthy fats. Mineral deficiencies lead to increased stress and LEAKY GUT.
Solutions:
Acid-Kicking Minerals. The common thread in the problems listed above was a need for more minerals. One scoop of Acid-Kicking Minerals gives you the minerals needed for optimal mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.
My 5 to Thrive Snack: Minerals and healthy fats all in one quick and delicious snack.
My desserts: Check out my blog and Get Off Your Sugar book for dozens of satisfying Dr. Daryl-approved desserts like this Cinnamon Bun Smoothie.
Salty
Chips, pretzels, curly fries…the “I just need to crunch on something” feeling…
What you are actually craving:
Natural salt is a delivery mechanism for minerals and trace minerals. If you’re craving it, you’re likely deficient in these essential nutrients.
The “I just need to crunch on something” feeling is real. The crunch of most salty snacks is an actual stress reliever. Crunching down gives your frustration somewhere to go. The salty craving could also mean you are dehydrated because salt causes the body to retain water.
Nutrients you are most like deficient in: Mineral salts such as potassium, magnesium, and sodium bicarbonate combined with trace minerals such as healthy fats.
Solutions:
Vegetables and dip: Celery, jicama, carrots, etc., and hummus if you feel a chips and dip craving.
Tablespoon of coconut oil and a pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt
Dairy
Ice cream, milk, and “Omg I need some cheese…”
What you are actually craving:
Milk is fairly high in lactose, a naturally occurring sugar. Many dairy products have loads of sugars added to them-including flavored yogurts and ice cream. Therefore, craving dairy is often a sugar craving in disguise.
In addition to indicating that you are trapped in the cycle of being addicted to sugar, craving dairy indicates a need for fat—since whole milk, cheese, and ice cream are all high in fat.
Nutrients you are most like deficient in: Healthy fats, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and mineral salts.
Solutions:
- “Mylks”: There are endless and delicious alternatives to dairy. I love drinking Golden Coconut Mylk to calm and soothe at the end of the day.
- Acid-Kicking Vitamin D3 + K2: A dairy craving can be your body saying, “I really need some Vitamin D.”
