Cravings and Health
Posted on 16. Nov, 2008 by Anna in Nutrition
When you find yourself craving a certain food, your body may be trying to tell you something. If you are craving something unhealthy, this does not necessarily mean that you should go out and eat lots of that unhealthy substance. But you might have a look at a few other factors.
1. You might be craving something which contains certain nutrients which your body is deficient in. A recent example for me was incessant cravings for canned ravioli. I eventually realized that I was also craving Tomato Soup. I began making tomato soup, using fresh tomatoes and herbs, and found that it fully handled my ravioli cravings!
What I assumed was that the tomatoes contained some nutrient(s) that I was deficient in – perhaps Vitamin C or Iron – and that this was what was behind the craving for ravioli (with all its tomato sauce). But instead of eating tons of unhealthy and fattening ravioli, I was able to pacify myself with fresh tomato soup – doing only good and no harm to my body.
2. Your craving might be a side-effect of another deficiency.
My mother always told me that when I craved sugar, this was usually a sign of a lack of protein. I have also read that when you continuously feel like you want to eat something but you don’t know what it is, that’s a need for Vitamin C.
Of course I’m no doctor. But in my personal experience, whenever I did find the correct and healthful item to fulfill my craving, it sort of “felt right” in the end.
Keep this in mind the next time you have a funny craving and you may be able to use it as an indicator for better health, instead of an impetus to indulgence.
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18 Responses to “Cravings and Health”
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Diane@tooth whitening trays: Not only is organic food healthier, I find it just...
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renz@Narconon Louisiana: Hello Cheryl!! I really appreciate your thoughts. ...
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Angie@Foam Wedge Pillow: Really wonderful information and it seems pretty h...
Cheryl (36 comments)
28. Dec, 2008
In Adele Davis’ famous book, Let’s Eat Right to Stay Fit, she points out that sugar cravings result from a drop in blood sugar. Also, that alcohol cravings result from nutritional deficiencies, particularly Vitamin B3.
herbalife (2 comments)
20. Mar, 2009
Hi,
Today we are continuing on with the Many Faces of Cravings – 3. One reader mentioned a possible genetic correlation of “addiction” that may contribute to cravings. Sugar and other very refined “white” flour items can act similarly in the way a person may be “driven” to consume them like an addict does a drug.
herbalife
ALL Diets
19. Apr, 2009
ALL Diets…
I believe HRT is being blamed for breast cancer, when in fact the culprit is probably Vitamin D Deficiency. There is much more danger from Vitamin D Deficiency in regard to causing breast cancer and other cancers. People have had their heads in the san…
best diets
19. Apr, 2009
best diets…
Having diabetes can sometimes make you lose weight unhealthily. The most common reason for weight loss is a high blood glucose level, which means that your body is not using glucose properly for energy. Instead, your body starts to use fat from stores …
Herbal Collection
22. Apr, 2009
Herbal Collection…
Seattle- Adding a handful of nuts to a a Mediterranean Diet diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish is useful to control a set of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol levels, obesity, excess blood sugar), known as metabolic synd…
Leah from absolutemartialarts (1 comments)
31. May, 2009
Hello, I have question: I have notice for the past 2 weeks I have been craving for chocolates, I’m not sure why. Is it healthy? Can someone please advise.
Thanks,
Leah
Anna (6 comments)
31. May, 2009
Have you tried eating more protein and making sure you are getting enough vitamin C?
Also, have you tried eating some healthy raw oils (such as on salad) in case there was a craving for oils/fats involved?
vaporizers (1 comments)
02. Jun, 2009
eating more protein than others is not good at all, you should have a balance diet. That’s it, just balance everything in your life and don’t forget to sweat out those fats.
admin from london_escorts (1 comments)
14. Jun, 2009
Self-control and discipline is essential in fighting for our unwanted cravings..haha..=D
Vietnamese Translator (2 comments)
12. Sep, 2009
I always crave pasta (with red sauce) and pizza, does that mean I lack vitamin C too?
Cheryl (36 comments)
13. Sep, 2009
Welcome, Vietnamese Translator!
The best way to tell what is going on with your Vitamin C levels is to raise the amount you take each day and see if that decreases your cravings over time. One method to find out if you are taking more Vitamin C than your body needs is to keep raising the daily amount until your bowels become noticeably too loose. Then stop taking Vitamin C for a day. After that, start taking it again, but at a lower amount. The loose bowels show the body is getting rid of the extra. No harm done. If you have sources of natural Vitamin C that you can eat, great! For example, if you have unsprayed roses, you can gather the fruits (the rose hips at the base of the petals). There are many foods high in Vitamin C, and if you get them from a local farmer or organic source, the vitamin C content is likely to be higher.
Vietnamese Translator (2 comments)
14. Sep, 2009
This advice is great! Thank you Cheryl! I really, really appreciate it!
Cheryl (36 comments)
16. Sep, 2009
You are welcome. Could you let us know the result of your experiment?
milly from medical equipment (1 comments)
06. Oct, 2009
Oh gosh, wow. I never knew the body could make me crave what I needed. All last week, I craved chocolate. (I’m normally not a sweet person AT ALL.) As soon as I had a bar, the cravings went…fascinating stuff.
alcohol addiction treatment (1 comments)
16. Nov, 2009
It is my opinion that more people should promote a healthy and alcohol/ drug free lifestyle.
Also, if someone is addicted to alcohol or a drug they should seek help from an addiction treatment center.
Moses from drug treatment (1 comments)
27. Nov, 2009
There are many cravings in this world, but drugs and alcohol are ruining entire people’s life. All should get rid of it by using treatments offered by professionals. You can get a treatment from our site.
Cheryl (36 comments)
27. Nov, 2009
Welcome, Moses.
I totally agree, and I recommend that readers who are interested in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation method with permanent results check the information at your site: Narconon Riverbend.
renz from Narconon Louisiana (1 comments)
12. Dec, 2009
Hello Cheryl!! I really appreciate your thoughts. Some are taken from your mother. I think she is an intelligent lady. But I think for the best figure and skin, we need to eat a proper diet and also to drink lots of water. Seasonal fruits are best for skin. But avoid drugs for a healthy life.