Reasons for Popular Food Cravings

November 19, 2011 | Article Posted By - Tastynetgirl, London

Recent studies from McGill University are suggesting that as many as eighty-seven percent of women who have specific food cravings are actually inwardly calling for that food to correct chemical imbalances or even nutrient deficiencies that are going on in their bodies.  Here are some popular cravings, the deficient nutrient and the easiest way to correct the imbalance.

 

Chocolate Cravings require a Magnesium fix

Many women have this craving in the week preceding the onset of their menstruation cycle while others can eat chocolate daily.  This signifies that the body’s magnesium levels are low and need to be deliciously rectified.  The choices for natural repair would be chocolate, spinach, soybeans, nuts and seeds.

 

Dark chocolate contains three times the amount of magnesium as milk chocolate does and less is required in order to feel satisfied.  Chocolate is definitely a quick fix.

 

Extreme Sugar Cravings are calling for chromium

When the levels of chromium in the body take a nose dive, the cells of the body have difficulty getting the required sugars and this brings on the cravings.  Chromium helps the body’s tissues to absorb the glucose but is not widespread in many foods and is easily destroyed by food processing methods.  This hard to come by nutrient is found in beer, egg yolks, rye bread, cheese or 100% whole grain bread in microgram amounts.

 

Craving Potatoes need to be cured with tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid used by the brain to make hormones that are antidepressants.  Dips in this amino acid results in mood swings and depression.  The quick ten minute solution to a tryptophan deficiency is a tryptophan-filled treat like cottage cheese, bananas, brown or white rice and of course potatoes.

 

If you need to Crunch Ice then you need Iron

This was the most surprising craving.  A lack of iron causes the body to become anemic, fatigued and the taste buds then die and basically shed.  This is where the tongue becomes sore and the need for ice comes in.

 

Legumes which are rich in iron, cereals that are fortified, poultry, meat, liver, spinach and curry will build back iron levels.  Tea drinkers beware.  The tannins from tea bind to the iron present in the intestine and reduce the absorption of the mineral by about half.  Natural plant acids found in tomatoes, bell peppers, citrus and berries actually helps the body to double the amount of iron it absorbs.

  

 

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