Does that mean they aren’t true? Not necessarily. Scientists are always discovering new information about the complexities of the human body, and just because something isn’t proven yet (by science) doesn’t mean it’s invalid. However, you can’t believe everything you read either, and when it comes to your health, it’s better not to blindly follow every new fad diet or nutritional concept that’s put out there.

Besides, if you think about it, you will realize that if cravings were merely direct signs of nutritional deficiencies, we would all be craving wild-caught salmon and kale salad. Something tells me that if you’re craving a candy bar, a bowl of broccoli just isn’t going to cut it.

So let’s dig a little deeper into why you crave the foods you crave.

Why you get intense food cravings

1. Stress

Studies have found (1) that the part of your brain that handles stress and the part of your brain that manages the hunger hormone leptin are both activated during times of cravings, suggesting a relationship between the two.

2. Too many refined foods

Eating lots of processed foods, with their empty calories and refined carbohydrates, puts the human body (1) on a blood sugar (and leptin) roller coaster, meaning when you high blood sugar drops again, you turn into a ravenous beast who wants its next sugar fix.

3. Scent memory

Fascinating research (2) has looked at the link between the smell of food, nostalgia, and our cravings, finding that scent is tied psychologically to memory. Foods such as warm apple pie, pastries, and cotton candy can subconsciously remind us of happy memories from our past and ignite serious cravings for comfort food, which may be charming in theory, but can be harmful for your health.

4. Poor sleep

Not getting enough quality sleep can wreck your health in a hundred ways, one of which is that (according to studies) a bad night of sleep increases cravings. (3)

5. Designer foods

The food industry relies on the deep science of cravings to keep you coming back for more. Multiple studies have looked at the meticulous designing of food products to make them as addictive and irresistible as possible. Just one more reason to stick with real food.

Here's your guide to crushing cravings

While craving sugar is probably not a sign that you are low in chromium (as Dr. Google likes to suggest), the foods you eat really do have a powerful ability to nourish your brain, balance your blood sugar, and lower your stress levels.

This is more about what you do regularly than what you do in the moment. Make sure you are getting a variety of the following brain boosters, blood sugar balancers, and stress reducers out there. Here’s how to do it with food:

1. B Vitamins

These water-soluble nutrients are essential for brain health and better stress management. B vitamins are specifically needed for methylation, a process that governs detoxification and protects your DNA. Also avoid B vitamin zappers like chronic stress, processed sugar, alcohol, and medications like NSAIDs and birth control pills.

What to eat: Grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, leafy greens, avocados, and egg yolks.

2. Healthy fats

Your brain is about 60 percent fat, and diets low in healthy fats have been linked to poor brain function. Getting an adequate amount of healthy fats is one of the best ways to curb hunger and cravings.

What to eat: Omegas EPA and DHA are highest in wild-caught fish. Pasture-raised egg yolk is also a rich source of these healthy brain fats.

3. Zinc

Low zinc levels make being stressed out even worse because you need this vital nutrient for healthy neurotransmitter function.

What to eat: Shellfish such as oysters are zinc superstars. Nuts and seeds are decent options as well.

4. Clean protein

A lack of quality protein throughout the day can cause dips and spikes in your blood sugar, creating a craving storm that will practically stuff salty or sugary foods into your mouth for you.

What to eat: If you are prone to getting low blood sugar, start with getting 15-25 grams of clean, organic protein such as wild-caught fish, pasture-raised chicken, grass-fed beef, and/or organic nuts and seeds with every meal. If you get “hangry” before the next meal, you didn’t eat enough protein for your body’s needs.

5. Iron

Being low in iron will leave you feeling exhausted and craving any sort of energy you can get your hands on – and the quicker the better.

What to eat: The best and most bioavailable source of iron is grass-fed beef. To maximize iron absorption, eat it with a source of vitamin C like leafy greens.

6. Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is quite common. The original chill pill, magnesium is a great remedy for stress and anxiety.

What to eat: Spinach, Swiss chard, dark chocolate (watch out for too much sugar), and pumpkin seeds.

7. Reduce stress

Science is pointing to the impact stress (and boredom) has on your brain and hormones and its ability to affect your level of “hangryness.” Stress management is essential to curbing the cravings.

What to do: Yoga, tai chi, and mindfulness meditation are on my list of ways to zen out your life. Also, because being tired increases cravings, make sure you are getting at least eight quality hours of sleep at night to be the vibrant balanced soul that you were born to be.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe. 

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