From time to time, we all crave for special dishes, a specific food item, chocolates, ice creams and some of our favorite foods.
When our body craves a particular food item, it is an indication that there is a specific nutrient that our body needs. Learning about these and balancing it in our diet helps avoid health complications in the long term.
When our body craves
1. Chocolate
When our body craves for chocolate, we might be craving for magnesium. Including magnesium based foods in our diet helps! Having an avacado toast, or a full banana or some black berries help!
2. Ice cream
When our body craves for ice cream, check how much sleep have you been getting of late. Balancing your sleep cycle helps address ice cream cravings. When work or studies get to a point where it impacts your sleep cycle and biological clock (staying up late and not sleeping for days), we tend to need more tryptophan, and end up craving for ice cream. Eating 4-5 dates, peanuts, milk or pineapple help!
3. Bread
Sometimes, we have this innate craving for bread, especially varieties of bread. Check how much of protein you have been consuming during these periods. Increasing protein helps balance nitrogen needs in our body. Including a good source of protein like lentils, beans, chickpeas, chicken in your diet helps.
4. SALTY FOODS
If you have a craving for salty foods, check your source of water and water consumption patterns of late. Your body may need chloride. Eating mixed nuts helps.
Our cravings are related to our diet and when we eat a balanced diet, and get proper exercise and sleep well, our body feels well rested and our inherent immunity and resistance power increases. Check your cravings next time, and see your food patterns. You will start noticing your own food & health patterns.
If you have nuts or lactose allergy, use alternate foods that have similar nutrients that work for you. If your cravings are consistent and last longer than a few weeks, you may want to consult your physician.
Stay healthy, safe safe!