What your cravings are trying to tell you
You’re not weak because you crave chocolate at 3pm. You’re not a lost cause because you find yourself reaching for snacks after dinner.
Cravings are one of the body’s ways of communicating unmet needs - whether physical, emotional or hormonal. When we stop fighting our cravings and get curious about what’s driving them, it becomes easier to work with our body, not against it.
In this post, we'll explore what some of the most common cravings might mean, and how to support your body without guilt, judgement or restrictive diets.
Sugar Cravings
You might be:
Low in magnesium, chromium or dopamine
Craving quick energy (especially if tired, overwhelmed or stressed)
Eating meals and snacks low in protein (leading to quick energy crashes)
Riding the blood sugar rollercoaster
In the habit of reaching for a sweet reward
What you can do:
Include protein and healthy fats in every meal, especially breakfast
Add magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds and cacao
Try a healthy sweet snack, e.g. fruit with nut butter or a bliss ball
Ask: Am I hungry - or am I tired, wired or needing comfort?
Carb Cravings
You might be:
Low in serotonin (your mood-regulating neurotransmitter)
Skipping meals or missing grounding foods
Overstimulated, emotionally drained or seeking comfort
What you can do:
Choose complex carbohydrates, e.g. oats, sweet potato, brown rice
Avoid skipping meals
Add grounding meals on busy or anxious days, e.g. porridge with nut butter and stewed apple, or chicken, barley and vegetable soup
Salt Cravings
You might be:
Low in minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium
Dehydrated or feeling burnt out (especially after ongoing stress)
Craving crunch or sensory stimulation
What you can do:
Add a pinch of quality sea salt to water or meals
Include mineral-rich foods like avocado, olives, seaweed and nuts
Support adrenal function with balanced blood sugar and rest
Emotional Cravings
Not all cravings come from nutrient gaps. Some are your nervous system asking for a bit of support.
Cravings can be more intense when you’re tired, stressed, lonely, anxious or overwhelmed. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’re human.
Before reacting to a craving, try pausing to ask yourself: What do I really need right now?
a break?
food?
comfort?
a nap?
a hug?
a walk in nature?
Are you looking for snack ideas to manage cravings without restriction? Download my FREE Snacks to Satisfy Cravings handout from the Resources page on my website.
And if you’d like personalised support to manage your cravings, get in touch to book a consultation or free discovery call.