CRAVINGS: WHAT THEY MEAN & HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
Cravings are something all of us have through at some point or the other. We’ve all had moments where we wanted something really badly and felt that we’d be happier if we just got it. Well there you have it, that’s what a craving is. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a bad thing. Food cravings are usually the body’s way of showing that it needs a specific nutrient. In this blog, we’re going to be talking about the reasons for cravings and certain ways we can overcome them.
There are plenty of factors that contribute to cravings. Understanding what these factors are is the first step to control your unpredictable appetite. Here are some of the main causes of cravings and ways we can overcome them.
#1 – Lack of Sleep
When we’re sleep-deprived the body’s hormonal balance is altered and the body operates on lower energy levels than compared to a normal day. In order to increase energy levels, the body triggers cravings, generally something sweet to increase blood sugar levels and give an instant surge of energy.
#2 – Bad Gut Health
Your gut is the center of serotonin production. This is dependent on the balance between the good and bad bacteria present in your gut. So, if you follow a bad diet it’s only natural that the bad bacteria in your gut increases and reduces the levels of serotonin production. This, therefore, creates food cravings.
#3 – Dehydration
Being dehydrated can confuse the body into thinking that you need something to eat. One of the best ways to keep your cravings at bay is to make sure that you’re properly hydrated throughout the day. Keeping your body hydrated not only eliminates toxins from your body but also ensures overall well being.
#4 – Deficiency Of Vitamins
Our body needs a wide range of vitamins in order to function at its best. If we don’t get the required vitamins we need, the body tends to start craving them. Therefore, we consume a wide range of foods to make sure that the body gets all the nutrients it needs.
#5 – Emotional Vulnerability
Being sad, bored, or highly stressed are all emotional situations that make you vulnerable to give in to your cravings. Studies have shown that high-stress levels can lead to sugar cravings which in turn lead to weight gain.
How Do You Handle These Cravings?
Some of the ways we can tackle these cravings are
By making sure that we get enough sleep.
Eat healthy so that our gut health remains in tact.
Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
Have a balanced diet to ensure that we get all the vitamins we need.
Satisfy your sweet cravings by having natural sugars from fruits, fruit juices etc.
Since you now get an idea of what cravings mean, it’s important that you pay attention to these so that you can provide your body with the right nutrients that it needs. The next time you get cravings for something, stick to healthier alternatives and your body will thank you for it.
There are plenty of factors that contribute to cravings. Understanding what these factors are is the first step to control your unpredictable appetite. Here are some of the main causes of cravings and ways we can overcome them.
#1 – Lack of Sleep
When we’re sleep-deprived the body’s hormonal balance is altered and the body operates on lower energy levels than compared to a normal day. In order to increase energy levels, the body triggers cravings, generally something sweet to increase blood sugar levels and give an instant surge of energy.
#2 – Bad Gut Health
Your gut is the center of serotonin production. This is dependent on the balance between the good and bad bacteria present in your gut. So, if you follow a bad diet it’s only natural that the bad bacteria in your gut increases and reduces the levels of serotonin production. This, therefore, creates food cravings.
#3 – Dehydration
Being dehydrated can confuse the body into thinking that you need something to eat. One of the best ways to keep your cravings at bay is to make sure that you’re properly hydrated throughout the day. Keeping your body hydrated not only eliminates toxins from your body but also ensures overall well being.
#4 – Deficiency Of Vitamins
Our body needs a wide range of vitamins in order to function at its best. If we don’t get the required vitamins we need, the body tends to start craving them. Therefore, we consume a wide range of foods to make sure that the body gets all the nutrients it needs.
#5 – Emotional Vulnerability
Being sad, bored, or highly stressed are all emotional situations that make you vulnerable to give in to your cravings. Studies have shown that high-stress levels can lead to sugar cravings which in turn lead to weight gain.
How Do You Handle These Cravings?
Some of the ways we can tackle these cravings are
By making sure that we get enough sleep.
Eat healthy so that our gut health remains in tact.
Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
Have a balanced diet to ensure that we get all the vitamins we need.
Satisfy your sweet cravings by having natural sugars from fruits, fruit juices etc.
Since you now get an idea of what cravings mean, it’s important that you pay attention to these so that you can provide your body with the right nutrients that it needs. The next time you get cravings for something, stick to healthier alternatives and your body will thank you for it.