It’s been proven that certain grazing animals do have cravings for salt in the spring, which is why they’re given salt licks. Human cravings, however, are almost entirely about satisfying an emotional need. So why do we get food cravings and what can we do about them?
Stress
Dietary Restrictions
Most cravings occur when we try to follow restrictive diets that are boring and deprive us of all the foods we enjoy. While many people diet to lose weight fast, in most cases, they end up putting the weight back on as these limitations are not sustainable long term and the cravings kick in. The key is to get a balanced diet and follow a healthy nutritional plan that allows you to enjoy your food and won’t leave you reaching for the biscuit tin.
Tiredness
You’re hungry
While it’s obvious that if you’re hungry you’ll crave food, if you let yourself get really hungry, you’ll often choose something easy to make or grab from the supermarket that’s less healthy and will keep your hunger at bay for less time. Make sure you start the day with a healthy breakfast with a protein, such as eggs, that releases energy slowly throughout the day and leaves you feeling satisfied for longer. Also, stock up on leafy veggies and don’t let yourself get to the point where you’re so hungry that you’ll eat literally anything.
So Cravings Are All in Our Heads?
Pretty much. The only nutrient that has been scientifically proven to be associated with cravings in humans is iron. However, weirdly, symptoms of this generally don’t cause cravings for red meat, stake, liver, or other foods rich in iron. People who are iron deficient often crave things like ice and even cement or clay. Yum.