Do you wake up hankering for caffeine? Or can’t say no to the midnight munchies?
While cravings can be habitual or related to boredom they can also be signs of nutritional deficiencies. And in these instances, it’s helpful to know what you’re really craving so you can curb them without losing control.
1. You wake up itching for coffee.
If you find yourself reaching for a short black as soon as you step out of bed you could have a phosphorus deficiency. This mineral is a known stimulant and can help give you an energy kick when you’re seriously considering hitting the snooze button. Again.
While we enjoy our morning brew (in moderation!), if you feel you’re a little too reliant on caffeinated beverages to start your day try swapping them for some sardines.
Wait, bear with us! As well as mood-boosting benefits these fish have extremely high phosphorus levels. Sardine Boats for breakfast, anyone?
2. You regularly crave chocolate at 3pm.
Unable to resist the temptation of the office cookie jar or vending machine at 3pm? Your body may need more magnesium, a mineral required for energy production and regulating blood sugar.
And it turns out cacao is actually a good source of magnesium! But to beat the slump (and avoid ensuing sugar crashes), stick to the darkest chocolate varieties available. Or go one better and load up on other magnesium-rich foods like green leafy veggies, spinach, legumes and seeds.
3. You’re longing for a bowl of creamy pasta after a long day at work.
If all you can think about after a brutal day is a comforting bowl of pasta, your body may need more serotonin. Your body creates this happy hormone after eating foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan.
And while pasta can form part of a healthy diet, for even more nutrient-dense options that help deliver a dose of serotonin swap it for pumpkin seeds, dairy and oats.
4. You always need something sweet after dinner.
Whether your weakness is tub of ice cream or a block of chocolate on the couch, an inability to resist dessert after dinner isn’t always about willpower. In fact, science says your body may be short on tryptophan, an amino acid that helps you sleep.
Sound familiar? Try skipping dessert for a cheese platter. A few slices of Cheddar are particularly high in tryptophan and can help you doze off much more peacefully than a sugary treat.
5. You can’t resist raiding the pantry for chips at midnight.
If you’re so full you don’t have room for any more food, yet constantly find yourself searching for salty snacks in the middle of the night, you may have a chloride deficiency.
This is because chloride plays an important role in regulating fluid balance in your cells and is also needed to form stomach acid to help digest your dinner.
Instead of processed foods, better sources of chloride include seaweed, tamari and olives.
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