Cravings

     There are many reasons people have or get cravings, some being dehydration, hormones, seasonal and lack of nutrients. I think the main thing that needs to be said about having cravings is that it is OKAY to have them and you need to figure out why you have them and how to satisfy those cravings with healthy options, because let's face it most cravings we have are not good ones.

     Now let's tackle the kinds of cravings most people have, by why you might have these cravings and alternative options for those cravings.

Liquids(coffee/sodas):

A lot of times people drink these kinds of beverages because they are thirsty or they want a boost of energy. If you have to start your day with a cup of coffee to wake up, try replacing that with a smoothie full of energy filled fruits (strawberries, pineapple, organic apple juice and bananas), you will feel full and not have room for or want coffee. Drinking water through out the day will also help to not drink as much sodas and things like that because you won't feel thirsty. If the thought of drinking water is not appealing to you, add some lemon or lime wedges to give it some flavor. I have also made a pitcher with limes, mint and cucumbers. Doing this helps you drink more water and get some extra vitamins. Lastly, ALWAYS carry a bottle of water with you and sip it through out the day.

Sweets:
If you crave sugar(or sweets) it is simply your body asking for energy. The type of sugar you eat will also effect the kind of energy you get back. Eating a candy bar will quickly be broken down and go though the bloodstream, but as quickly as it works it also last that short amount of time which is why you crash so hard. If you are craving something sweet, try a rice cake with rice syrup or agave nectar on it, because of the complex carbohydrate it will slowly break down and release sugars into your blood which will give you longer lasting energy. Also certain foods are naturally sweet and can reduce your cravings for sweet/processed foods, such as corn, carrots, onions, butternut squash, and sweet potato (all cooked). If you incorporate those into meals you might see your cravings start to diminish. If you feel like you want something stronger, try a cookie or pastry made from whole-grains and sweetened with natural sweeteners.

Salty Foods:
Craving salt usually means there is a mineral deficiency. Salt comes from the sea which is where it has most of the natural minerals, vitamins and proteins. Most people eat/buy regular table salt which has been broken down so much that it is missing those minerals your body needs. Start by buying a good quality sea salt to replace regular salt. Also incorporate more leafy green vegetables(kale, collards, mustards) into your diet and meals, these all have a high mineral content.

Crispy Foods:
A lot of times when you crave something crispy or crunchy it goes hand in hand with salty. If you know this is something you crave a lot make chips(potato/sweet potato) at home with some different spices on them (sea salt, pepper, cayenne etc.) to make it less tempting to grab unhealthy options. Kale chips are also a great alternative for those chip/crispy cravings.

     Always remember your body is trying to tell you something when it is having a craving, try to listen and figure out the root of it. I will leave you with an excerpt from "Integrative Nutrition" by Joshua Rosenthal:

"We can, and must, develop dialogue with our bodies. They're talking to us all the time and their messages are too important for us to ignore. And please remember, your body loves you. It does everything it can to keep you alive and functioning. You can feed it garbage, and it will digest it for you and turn it into energy to fuel your life. You can deprive it of sleep, but still it will get you up and running the next morning. You can drink too much alcohol, and it will process it through your system. It loves you unconditionally and does its best to allow you to live the life you came here to live. The real issue in this relationship is not whether your body loves you, but weather you love your body. In any relationship, if one partner is loving, faithful, and supportive, it's easy for the other to take that person for granted. That's what most of us do with our bodies, and it's time to change. Working to understand your cravings is one of the best places to begin to build a mutually loving relationship with your own body."