My late mother Freida used to have a theory about pregnancy cravings.

She craved watermelon like it was disappearing tomorrow when she was pregnant with my brother Bob. No matter what the day or time, she couldn’t get enough of it. Well, Bob grew up to LOVE watermelon, and my mother swore it was because of her pregnancy cravings!

I’ll let you decide whether her theory has any validity LOL, but seriously, I think it’s safe to say that we all have experienced a craving for a certain food at one time or another.

When you get hit with a craving, you usually know very well what food (or at least food category) you MUST have!

Now, occasional cravings are one thing, but frequent, repeated cravings can ultimately lead to health issues, the most common of which is weight gain. 

But what many people don’t realize is why they are getting the cravings to begin with!

Here are some of the most common underlying reasons behind food cravings and how to help curb them:

Nutrient deficiencies

Your body knows what nutrients it needs, and triggering cravings is one way it lets you know what it is lacking.

For example, you may crave red meat if you are deficient in iron or vitamin B12.

Being low in sodium may trigger a craving for salty foods.

And magnesium deficiency can cause you to crave chocolate.

How to help: Strive to have a diet of wholesome real foods and if your diet isn’t quite what it should be, a multi-vitamin and mineral formula like Super Core can help fill in the blanks where you may be coming up short.

Hormonal changes

Pregnancy and its kooky cravings are the example that usually comes to mind, but the hormonal changes that occur during menstruation and menopause can cause their share of cravings too.

How to help: Try to make healthier choices during pregnancy and menstruation. For example, if you’re craving sweets, reach for fruit, yogurt or trail mix. If you MUST have chocolate, opt for a square of dark chocolate.

If you are dealing with menopause, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help even out your hormone levels, and this can help curb many menopausal symptoms.

Dehydration

Many times people mistake thirst for hunger and pack in the calories as a result.

How to help: If you sense a craving, try drinking a glass of water first. If your craving subsides, you’ll have your answer.

Lacking sleep

Poor sleep can increase cravings for high-calorie, sugary foods. Lacking sleep affects the hormones that regulate hunger and appetite, plus your body knows it will get a quick energy boost from sugar.

How to help: Make sure you are getting 7 – 9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, be sure your bedroom is dark and cool, take a warm bath with Epsom salts before retiring, sip chamomile tea, avoid sugar, alcohol and caffeine in the evening, and try the power of melatonin in our Soothing Zzzz’s Blend Gummies.

Imbalanced gut microbiome

There needs to be a specific balance of bacteria in your gut microbiome, with at least 85 percent helpful bacteria and 15 percent or less harmful bacteria.

When your gut microbiome balance is topsy-turvy, it can cause cravings, especially for sugary foods. Sugar is the food of choice for yeasts and harmful bacteria in your gut and they can trigger cravings, so if you find yourself frequently craving these foods, chances are good that your microbiome needs a helpful boost.

How to help: A top-notch potent probiotic formula like Super Shield PLUS can help restore a more optimal microbiome balance. Also, be sure to avoid refined sugars and starches, and indulge in gut-loving foods like fiber-rich fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

Changes in the seasons

Seasonal cravings, such as wanting hearty foods like stews, soups and roasted foods in the winter, may reflect our body’s inherent natural response to environmental changes. Your body senses cooler temperatures and acts to ensure you are getting proper nutrients for the chilly weather.

How to help: Feel free to give your body healthy hearty foods like I mentioned above. When I lived in Upstate NY, some of our winter favorites were beef stew, chili, minestrone soup, split pea soup and roast chicken.

Intense exercise

After an intense workout, you may find yourself craving protein foods. This reflects your body’s need to repair itself and build muscle.

How to help: Choose healthy proteins like meat, chicken, fish, eggs, yogurt, cheese and nuts for your post-workout snack.

Stress

This is a biggie. Stress can cause intense cravings, especially for sweets, starchy carbs and fats, and that reflects your body’s “fight or flight” programming.

When your body senses stress, it releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline gets your heart pumping and puts glucose into your bloodstream in case you need to take action.

Cortisol, on the other hand, is responsible for telling your body to refuel itself after stress. It does this by giving you a VORACIOUS appetite for sugars and fats to help you “recover.”

How to help: Do all you can to reduce stress in your life. 

Some of the best stress relievers include regular exercise, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, prayer, and adopting a pet (if you’re an animal lover).

Restrictive diets

Many times people that are on a highly restrictive diet will crave the very foods they are restricting!

How to help: Unless you are avoiding certain foods due to food allergies or intolerances, a well-rounded diet including a variety of wholesome real foods will go a long way to give your body the array of nutrients and food types it needs and prevent cravings.

Medications

Many people don’t realize this, but many medications can cause food cravings too! This is especially true of antidepressants.

How to help: If you are experiencing cravings, check the package insert for all medications you take. If cravings are shown as a potential side effect, ask your doctor about alternatives. 

Now you are on the path to saying goodbye to cravings for good!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia