Cravings: Causes, Cures and What They Mean [INFOGRAPHIC]

Cravings: Causes, Cures and What They Mean

Who Gets Cravings?? 100% of women and 75% of men report having cravings regularly each year.


 

Most Commonly Craved Foods:

  • Chocolate: Consistently the #1 most commonly craved food among both men and women. Craved by 40% women & 15% men
  • Pizza: Craved by 7% women & 14% men
  • Salty Snacks: Craved by 8% women & 3% men
  • Ice Cream: Craved by 6% women & 2% men
  • Meat & Chicken: Craved by 3% women & 5% men
  • Bread & Pasta: Craved by 3% women & 2% men

 

What Causes Cravings:

Cravings are essential messages sent to our bodies that something is missing. They are powerful cues that may assist in bringing and maintaining balance. 

Common Causes:

  • Dehydration: Dehydration often manifests itself as hunger.
  • Nutritional Deficiencies: If the body doesn’t get enough nutrients, it will send messages in the form of cravings.
  • Hormones: Pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, fluctuating testosterone & estrogen levels.
  • Emotions: Stress, depression, anger, loneliness, anxiety, etc.

 

DID YOU KNOW: Dehydration often manifests itself as a hunger, so the first thing to do when you get a craving is drink a full glass of water. 

SWEET FACT: Sugar is addictive! The less you eat sweets, the less you will crave them. 


What Your Body is Actually Craving

You’re Craving What Your Body Needs What You Should Eat Instead
Chocolate Magnesium Nuts, seeds, veggies & fruit
Sugary Foods
Carbon Fresh Fruit
Chromium Broccoli, grapes, cheese, chicken
Phosphorous Chicken, beef, fatty fish, eggs,
dairy, nuts, veggies, grains
Sulphur Cranberries, horseradish,
cabbage, cauliflower
Tryptophan Cheese, raisins, sweet potatoes,
spinach
Bread, Pasta
& Other Carbs
Nitrogen High protein foods: meat, fatty fish,
nuts, beans, chia seeds
Fatty & Oily Foods Calcium Organic milk, cheese, leafy greens,
vegetables
Salty Foods
Chloride Fatty fish, goat milk
Silicon Cashews, nuts, seeds

Take Control: How to Prevent & Control Cravings

  • Tame Your Stress: Take time for yourself and relax, meditate or do yoga.
  • Fight Boredom: Go for a walk, call friend, try a new hobby.
  • Avoid Temptation: Don’t keep tempting treats around the house. Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Don’t Deprive Yourself: Indulge every once in a while; Depriving yourself can lead to binges.
  • Drink Water: Drink water first. Your body may just be dehydrated — not hungry.
  • Snack Healthy: Keep healthy snacks on hand so you don’t opt for convenience foods.

About the Author

, Celebrity Personal Trainer and Fitness & Nutrition Expert headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. He specializes in helping men and women achieve weight loss, muscle building, toning and other customized fitness & nutrition programs to create a Healthy Lifestyle. James offers private luxury personal training, 12-week custom workout plans, and personalized nutrition meal plans. Follow on Google+.

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