5 causes of food cravings
Cravings are important signals that are meant to help you maintain balance in the body. That sudden urge to eat a particular food can take hold of you until it’s been satisfied, with the biggest culprits being sugar, gluten and dairy products. Sugar in particular gives you an immediate high, but then you crash, crave even more and before you know it, you’re in a vicious circle, consuming more sugar and riding a series of highs and lows that provoke stress and exhaustion. Next time you get a craving, examine it by asking what your body wants and why. Knowing what causes your cravings can help you kick a bad food habit and bring equilibrium into the body.
Below are some of the main sources of cravings.
1. Life imbalance
We’re huge advocates of the Ora Circle being key to living a healthy lifestyle. There are many factors that make a person healthy, from relationships and food to spirituality, movement and education. When you're dissatisfied in one of these areas, it can have a knock-on effect on other aspects of your life and cause emotional eating. Perhaps you’re demotivated in your job, lacking a community, dissatisfied with a relationship or your movement is too much, too little or not suiting your lifestyle. You might choose to eat to fill the void. Take a few minutes to try our Ora Circle exercise and acknowledge how happy and healthy you’re feeling right now, you might come to realise something you never knew you were lacking.
2. Water levels
Not getting enough water can manifest as hunger pangs, while too much water can also make you crave food. As soon as you feel a craving come on, drink a glass of water. Top up your hydration levels via the food you eat too. Both food and water provide a balance of water, electrolytes and carbohydrates so ensure you’re eating a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables as well as drinking plenty of water throughout the day. How much water you require depends on how you move, what you eat and your overall health in general.
3. Seasonality
The body often craves food according to the seasons. In the colder months, we crave warm and spicy foods, stews and root vegetables. Whereas in summer, we prefer cooling and detoxifying foods such as fruit, ice cream, leafy greens and citrus. Eating in this way balances the elements of the seasons. Listen to your body.
4. Lack of sleep
When we don’t get sufficient sleep and feel low on energy, our hormonal balance is altered. The body ends up producing more ghrelin (known as the hunger hormone) and less leptin (known as the starvation hormone). The two have opposite functions, with ghrelin stimulating appetite and leptin preventing us from both undereating and overeating. Leptin is also responsible for the feeling of fullness in the body. This imbalance drives the body to eat more, especially sugary foods, to keep energy levels high, thereby triggering cravings.
5. Nutrient deficiencies
The less nutrient deficiencies, the fewer cravings you’ll have. When the body suffers from insufficient nutrient intake, it results in cravings for non-nutritional forms of energy like caffeine and sugar, while inadequate mineral levels can produce salt cravings. Ensure you’re eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, protein and healthy fat. Swap artificial sweeteners for natural versions and incorporate more spices such as cinnamon and turmeric into your meals. This will help control blood sugar levels.