The Tribune

By Christine Carey

“Once we realise that the body is a reliable bio-computer that never makes mistakes; it’s much easier to concede that cravings are critical pieces of information that help you understand what your body needs.”

– Joshua Rosenthal

When experiencing cravings we go for the quickest choice around and most of the time that choice is going to be a fast food laden with sugars, refined ingredients, oils, additives and preservatives. What many people don’t realise is that there are many healthy alternatives that can help with cravings. One of my philosophies is that if you understand what’s happening you are in a much better position to make positive change.

Here are four primary causes of cravings, according to nutritional teacher Joshua Rosenthal:

1. Dehydration

The body doesn’t send the message that you’re thirsty until you are on the verge of dehydration. Dehydration occurs as a mild hunger, so the first thing to do when you get a craving is drink a glass of water.

1. Lifestyle

Being dissatisfied in a relationship, having an inappropriate exercise routine, being bored, stressed, uninspired by a job or a spiritual practice can all contribute to emotional eating. Eating can be used as a substitute for entrainment or to fill the void.

1. Lack of nutrients

If the body is getting an inadequate amount of nutrients it will produce odd cravings. For example, inadequate mineral levels produce salt cravings, and overall inadequate nutrition produces cravings for non-nutritional forms of energy like caffeine.

1. Hormones

When women experience menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, fluctuating testosterone and oestrogen levels may cause unusual cravings.

Are you craving something sweet?

As much as possible, try to satisfy your sweet flavour craving with a food that doesn’t contain refined white sugar. Try a rice cake with a nut butter or agave syrup, various cookies or pastries made from whole-grain flour and sweetened with fruit juice. Certain vegetables are called sweet vegetables because when they’re cooked the body recognises that taste as sweet. Some of them are corn, carrots, onions, beets, sweet potatoes, yams and squash.

Are you craving salty foods?

Cravings for salty foods are often a mineral deficiency. Natural sea salt contains 60 different trace mineral which are the foundation for forming vitamins, enzymes and proteins. Most people use regular table salt which has been refined and missing many of these essential minerals. Instead of reaching for the bag of pretzels have a dark leafy green salad with some natural Bahamian sea salt and see if you can curb your salty flavor need. Dark leafy greens are full of minerals.

Are you craving bitter foods?

Bitter foods enhance digestion so craving for a bitter flavour may actually be a craving for nutritious foods to cut through fat and stagnation on the body’s digestive tract and organs. Try eating dark leafy greens like dandelion, mustard greens, arugula, kale and collards.

Are you craving pungent or spicy flavours?

Wanting these flavours can be a signal that circulation may be slow or weak. You can use a variety of spices and condiments like cayenne, scallions, ginger, onions, leeks, garlic, pepper and hot pepper sesame oil.

Are you craving something crispy or dry foods?

If you are looking for something crisp and dry you may be drinking too many fluids. To fulfill this craving choose rice cakes, high-quality crackers without oil or sugar-free sesame sticks. You can also bake your own potato chips or sweet potato chips.

• This column shares preventative health tips and life transformation tools aiming to enlighten the reader to living their full potential with passion and purpose.

Christine Carey is a certified holistic health and life coach, blogger (www.christine-carey), and co-owner of Liquid Nutrition (www.liquidnutrition.com).

This content is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. It is intended to be provided for informational, educational, and self-empowerment purposes only. Please consult with your wellness team, and then make your own well informed decisions based upon what is best for your unique genetics, culture, conditions, and stage of life.