What cravings are trying to tell you

Dreaming about chocolate or desperate for chips? Experts believe our food urges could reveal vitamin deficiencies, insomnia and depression, says CAROLINE JONES

WE all crave a particular food sometimes – be it pizza, bread or chocolate. But if we’re obsessing about one food type, could our body actually be trying to tell us something? Yes, according to research, which suggests our snacking behaviour could reveal vital clues about our health.

“Cravings for specific foods could be an indication of a deficiency in a particular nutrient,” says nutritionist Emily Whitehead. “For example, craving for chocolate can highlight a magnesium deficiency.”

Likewise there’s evidence craving other food groups can point to low mood or high stress levels.

Why? “One common reason is that many of us eat too many processed foods – or skip whole food groups on restrictive diets,” says nutritionist Linda Foster. “This means our bodies are missing out on vital nutrients.”

Some research suggests cravings might be the body’s response to a monotonous diet. In one study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, healthy young adults followed a diet that met all of their nutritional needs, but consisted only of meal replacement shakes for five days. People on this one-note diet reported significantly more cravings than on a varied diet.

Therefore, decoding your cravings may help you give your body what it really needs to stay on top form.

CRAVING... COFFEE

WHAT IT COULD MEAN: YOU’RE FEELING DOWN – OR YOU’RE DEHYDRATED IF YOU CAN’T GET THROUGH THE DAY WITHOUT SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE COFFEE SHOP, THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE YOU’RE SUBCONSCIOUSLY TRYING TO LIFT YOUR MOOD.

Mental health research shows that people feeling unhappy tend to reach for “quick fixes” such as coffee to perk them up.

However, the short-lived mood and energy boost provided by caffeine is always followed by a crash. Plus, too much caffeine can cause palpitations, anxiety and irritability, creating a vicious circle when it comes to mood.

Also, craving any drink – even an unhelpful diuretic like coffee – can simply mean you’re dehydrated. FIX it: Forget the flat white and reach for some plain old water. “Just as plants that are wilting in the sun soon perk up after they’ve been watered, people can quickly feel better and more alive after a drink of water,” says nutritionist Linda Foster.

A balanced diet rich in tryptophan can also help improve mood. If low mood is seriously affecting your quality of life, you need to talk to your GP, who may