Food cravings occur for every human being, but there are many differences in the types of food cravings that occur. Some people may crave food of any kind simply because they are hungry, but others may crave a specific food, such as ice cream. It is important to know what actually is triggering the food cravings. Factors such as physical hunger, watching a television advertisement and being around the aroma of food can all trigger cravings. However, food cravings can also be triggered by the human body's lacking a certain vitamin or mineral.
Psycholgical versus Physical Food Cravings
According to Life.FamilyEducation.com, it is very important to know the difference between a physical food craving that is actual hunger and a psychological or emotional need for food. When a person is experiencing a physical food craving, the body really needs nourishment. If the body is overall well nourished, it will simply crave food in general to maintain well being. But if the body is deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral, it will crave specific foods. It is important to know that a physical food craving will not go away over time; it will actually be more noticeable as the time between meals increases. A psychological food cravings is a result of a trigger that makes you want to eat, such as a food television advertisement, the aroma of food or just boredom. A psychological food craving will go away over time, and simply diverting your attention to something else may eliminate the craving.
Cravings Associated with Iron Deficiency
According to MedlinePlus, if the body is iron deficient, a condition called iron-deficiency anemia can result. Anemia is a condition in which the body produces too few red blood cells. Iron-deficiency anemia can cause an unusual food craving called pica. Pica is pattern of eating non-food materials. When individuals experience pica, they crave and eat substances such as dirt, paper, ice, sand or paint. If this eating pattern is noticed, particularly in children, contact a physician immediately.
Vitamin Deficiencies Associated with Sweets Cravings
According to NaturopathyWorks.com, deficiencies of several essential vitamins and minerals may cause the body to crave sweets. If the body is lacking the substances of chromium, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur or tryptophan, an ususual affinity to sweets can occur. If an unusual cravings for sweet foods is noticed, adjusting the normal diet to include higher quantities of chicken, beef, poultry, broccoli, nuts and fresh fruits may lessen the cravings for sweets.
Vitamin Deficiencies Associated with Chocolate Cravings
According to Russell J. Martino,Ph.D, individuals who constantly have a craving for chocolate may actually have a deficiency in vitamin B or magnesium. Chocolate cravings can be curbed by increasing amounts of raw nuts, seeds, beans and fruits in an individual's daily diet. In addition, the supplement flax seed oil may also assist in lessening the craving for chocolate.
Vitamin Deficiencies Associated with Alcohol Cravings
According to NaturopathyWorks.com, usual cravings for alcoholic beverages can be associated with deficiencies of several vitamins and minerals. Deficiencies of substances such as protein, glutamine, avenin, potassium or calcium can cause an individual to crave the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Increasing the body's daily intake of these substances by including foods such as meat, seafood, poultry, broccoli, granola and oatmeal in a daily diet can be of benefit in getting rid of alcohol cravings.
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