What Your Food Cravings Are Actually Trying to Tell You...

Do you find yourself fighting frequent urges to snack on something unhealthy, fried or sinfully sweet? Well, it could mean more than just a snack-attack that may take a toll on your fitness levels. 'Food cravings are the biggest barrier in switching to a healthy lifestyle or lose weight. It is tough to hold back desire for eating something salty, sweet or spicy. But you have to control yourself to eat healthy and less fat to lose weight. It is a myth that cravings mean you miss your sweets or junk food. These are actually because of some mistakes we unknowingly make in our diet,' says Dr Rohini Patil, MBBS, nutritionist and the founder of Nutracy Lifestyle. Here's how you can decode your cravings: (Image: Banga Studios)

Arpita Kala

Nov 03, 2020

You’re not eating enough protein

"Not eating enough protein can deplete your energy levels. Protein is an essential nutrient that promotes growth and development. This can make you feel hungry as well. Eat food rich in protein such as eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds etc."

You’re about to have a migraine

"People suffering from migraine usually crave for sugar and sweets. It is a common indication for migraine to hit soon (a few minutes or a few days). Hence, consult your doctor for cause and treatment and keep a track on your cravings."

You are stressed out.

"Chronic stress results in the production of the hormone cortisol resulting in increased appetite, especially for sugar. Sadness may result from the compensative nature of eating delightful foods that begins the release of the feel-good chemical in our brains. As our moods improve, we then connect these good feelings with that particular food. Stressful environment makes you crave to eat. To prevent stress, you can do yoga, meditation, go for your hobby and the things that divert your mind and makes you happy."

You are sleep-deprived

"You may feel hungry or want something to eat at midnight. Why? This is due to staying up late and not eating anything after dinner. Lack of proper sleep causes high production of stress hormones that cause hunger. Hence, sleep 6-8 hours at night to end food cravings."

Cutting out the wrong fats

"Not all dietary fibres are unhealthy. It is necessary to have unsaturated fats in your meals. Saturated fats are needed to cut out from diet as they cause obesity. Elimination of fats makes you crave more as fats make your appetite full for a long time. Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids help in improved sleep, weight loss and good heart health. Foods like fish, avocados, nuts, olive oil etc are rich sources of protein."

Get a diabetes check-up!

"Diabetic patients usually feel hungry and crave for food, especially liquid, because their body works to flush out waste sugar from their body. This is because their body is opposed to sugar, resulting in excess urination from their body. People with diabetes must drink enough water to avoid dehydration."

You are dehydrated.

"Dehydration is one of the biggest reasons behind food cravings- especially sugar. Lack of water in the body means a lack of energy. Our body is 70 per cent made of water. When there is a deficiency of water in the body, the glycogen production reduces resulting sugar craving for an energy boost. Also, it happens we feel hungry but actually, our body is wanting liquid. So, in future, drink 2 glasses of water when you feel a bit hungry or have a sweet craving, and you will feel full without eating calories."