How to Decipher Food Cravings

Everyone knows that pregnant women have some crazy cravings for strange combinations of food, but when you aren't pregnant and you find yourself reaching for the peanut butter or an apple, what does that mean? Craving a certain food is your body's way of telling you that it needs more of a certain vitamin or mineral. Here is a list of the most common cravings and what you may be lacking. Pay attention because sometimes you can quiet the craving by substituting something totally different, but better for your health.

Instructions

• 1

  During stressful periods, you may find yourself reaching for the peanut butter or plain old peanuts. Stress depletes Vitamin B and you may also need the sodium. However, a good scoop of peanut butter has almost 300 calories, so you may find it easier on your waistline to grab a Vitamin B complex supplement or add Brewer's Yeast to your diet.

• 2

  Avoid that chocolate bar or cola every afternoon. Chances are you want the caffeine or the sugar. Chocolate has little nutritional value and if you just want the flavor, try substituting carob for the chocolate. While you are making substitutions, try a cup of ginseng tea for a natural pick-me-up, without the caffeine.

• 3

  Learn about fruit cravings. When you are craving fruit, at least you are eating healthier, right? Bananas have a ton of potassium, which sends oxygen to your brain and helps reduce blood pressure. If you drink a lot of coffee or alcohol, you may need more potassium. Apples and cantaloupe have potassium in addition to other vitamins and minerals. They are good snack choices and they're low in calories and high in cholesterol lowering-pectin.

• 4

  Pickles, olives and butter cravings translate into needing salt. Cheese, ice cream, milk and eggs may be a signal to increase your protein and calcium intake. Check out your emotions though, as milk cravers tend to be a nervous lot and are looking for the calm they get from the tryptophan in addition to the calcium. Tryptophan has a soothing effect when ingested. You can also try eating more broccoli for the calcium, as it has less calories than cheese or ice cream.

• 5

  Take care when you find yourself craving tart fruits, because this can be a signal of gall bladder or liver problems. Craving olives can signal an underactive thyroid and cravings for spicy foods like onions can indicate sinus or lung problems.