What do your cravings say about you?

Our body has subtle ways of communicating to us when something is up. The problem is that nowadays we are very quick to reach for external solutions to every problem depending on pain killers, antibiotics, supplements etc without really pausing to decipher what it is our body might be telling us and what we really need. The body and the mind are intricately connected and responsive to each other but have fallen out of sync; they are suddenly speaking different languages and constantly misinterpreting each other. In order to really understand the body's physical clues we must realign the two. Remember that the physical self is just one aspect of our being, but equally important are our emotions, our life experiences or our 'inner self'. Our physical reactions could be interpreted as spiritual messages that can quite often tell us a lot more about our state of mind than our physical health.

That being said, we are all familiar with the term 'eating your feelings'. I'm sure we've all had one of those crying into a tub of Ben and Jerry's after a break up moments, or a bad day pizza delivery, or that sudden inexplicable urge to bake something. Our cravings and eating habits are especially good indicators of mental blocks or spiritual crises since they have a way of popping up in moments of high vulnerability. Although cravings can be complicated and caused by a multitude of factors, there are some common ones that can help you to understand your body's hidden messages and find strategies to avoid giving in to those persistent urges:

1) SWEET CRAVINGS:

That burning desire for chocolate, cupcakes, doughnuts or whatever sickeningly sweet treat does it for you, is considered to be an indicator of sadness. The sweets work as a bandage to cover up the real issue and give us a sudden burst of happy hormones which temporarily fix the problem. When we are experiencing low moments in which sadness and loneliness take over, our serotonin levels plummet. Sugar however fixes this problem and gives us that irresistible (and addictive) high with all the warm, fuzzy, feels caused by the serotonin and endorphin surge. When that sugar rush wears off however, the same emotions come flooding back and the band aid is ripped off. This can often lead to binging and overindulgence in order to maintain pleasure and avoid the rest.

Tip: magnesium and zinc can help to reduce sugar cravings. Dark chocolate is high in magnesium and can work as a substitute for its higher sugar counterpart. Swap refined sugar for natural sugars like fruits. Getting outside in nature, spending time with friends or hitting the gym has been proven to lift mood and combat feelings of sadness or disconnection which trigger the craving.

2) SALT CRAVINGS

Salt is interpreted as the stress craving. Scientifically speaking, when we are suffering stress our adrenal glands become exhausted and reduce the creation of aldosterone which retains sodium. Craving salt therefore is a way of replenishing what has been lost. Salt also balances and controls our blood pressure, body fluids and muscle function. It is associated with kidney, adrenal and water balance. Therefore it is no surprise that those craving salt tend to be on some level craving control, balance and stability. The craving may reflect a period of uncertainty, instability and tension in life. Salt is our way of solidifying ourselves, creating hardness and strength which is necessary to deal with the stressor, however, this promotes resistance as opposed to healing and again, is only a temporary fix to mask the overwhelming flood of negative emotion.

Tip: Vitamin B5, Ginseng, Valerian Root aid with anxiety relief. In terms of activities, yoga, meditation and breathwork are fantastic stress busters.

3) FAT CRAVINGS

Ever destroyed half a tub of peanut butter in one sit? Or maybe you get a hankering for a greasy fry up or an indulgent fast food feast. In evolutionary terms, craving calorically dense foods would have been a good survival strategy. Craving something heinously calorific could therefore be a response to high emotional stress which the body registers in the same way as it would a threat to survival. Craving calorie dense fatty foods may also be a sign of a restrictive diet; perhaps you have been feeling particularly self conscious and as a result are scrutinising what you eat or even fearing certain food groups. This may have left you in too much of a calorie deficit or lacking specific nutrients. Maybe you are deficient in essential fatty acids which come from healthy fats like oils, fish, seeds, nuts etc. Craving fatty food can also be attributed to a calcium deficiency. When fat and sugars are combined, it is a dangerous combination since both serve in stimulating dopamine and endorphin production, giving you that short term buzz which lights up your brain and becomes highly addictive in times of emotional vulnerability when you may be lacking those 'happy hormones'. Binging and overeating these are therefore a common emotional reaction.

Tips: It may be helpful to supplement calcium, omega 3, or fish oil. Favour healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, nut butters, oil. Have some 'you' time, enjoy outdoor activity and get in some exercise to lift the funk and raise your spirits.

4) SPICE CRAVINGS

A sudden obsession with all things spicy can often be an indication of restlessness, frustration or even boredom. It may be that we aren't craving chilli as much as we are craving change, passion and excitement. It reflects a desire to literally 'spice things up'.

Tip: Other than the obvious - adding chilli to everything, try evaluating the factors in your life that are limiting your growth, holding you back from your goals or dampening your creativity. Whether that is a job, a friendship, a relationship, or just simply a change of scenery (like a holiday, a new experience, a slight change in your daily routine).

FOOD FOR RESTORING THE CHAKRAS

This connection between body, mind and food was greatly emphasised in ancient healing practices. A chakra imbalance for example is believed to lead to a shift in emotional state and can be restored by the consumption of specific high-vibration, natural foods:

* ROOT CHAKRA

This is located at the base of the spine and is associated with family, security and feeling grounded. The root chakra can be thrown out of balance by home/family or financial stress and is characterised by feeling disconnected, fatigued and tense. Foods believed to elevate the root chakra are a rich RED colour such as beetroot, berries or pomegranate. So swap the salty stress-induced snacks for some crimson fruits!

* SACRAL CHAKRA

This can be found at the naval. It is responsible for creativity, sexuality and passion. A weakened sacral chakra often causes low libido, creative blocks and a lack of enthusiasm or excitement. Instead of reaching for the chilli for your 'pick me up', pick foods that are ORANGE in colour like mandarins, mango, carrots, pumpkins, sweet potato, or even nuts.

* SOLAR PLEXUS

Above the naval, this chakra is responsible for sense of self, personal power, self esteem and confidence. When this falls out of sync it creates negative self image, mood swings and feelings of worthlessness, self-consciousness and even fearfulness. Rather than shovelling spoonfulls of Nutella, it is recommended to favour YELLOW foods such as bananas, corn, pineapple, peppers or grains.

* HEART CHAKRA

Responsible for love, gratitude, joy and compassion, when the heart chakra becomes underactive, jealousy and anger tend to dominate. On the other hand when it is overactive, we might become too giving and co-dependent. To restore balance, GREEN foods such as leafy greens, vegetables like broccoli or kale are recommended.

* THROAT CHAKRA

Key to speaking the truth and expressing oneself, when this chakra becomes blocked communication falters and it becomes difficult to be honest and truthful. LIGHT BLUE foods like blueberries, kelp or figs are the best choices to restore balance.

* THIRD EYE CHAKRA

At the centre of the forehead, this is responsible for intuition and the ability to perceive the truth. When it is strong we are insightful, focused and intuitive. When it is weakened however we have a difficulty looking inward for self reflection, and we may feel confused or be quick to regard others with suspicion. To strengthen the chakra DARK BLUE or PURPLE foods such as plums, grapes, or aubergine are preferable.

* CROWN CHAKRA

It is through this that we find inner guidance and connection to source. When it is open we are able to live in the present, see universal truth and we can trust our inner self. A block can cause a lack in self awareness, and a struggle to be still. When the crown chakra is active one can thrive off of the elements without depending on the energy of other sources (as a result it is helpful to spend time in nature, get plenty of sunlight and drink water when feeling disconnected from the Crown chakra) however VIOLET or WHITE foods may be helpful to recharge, for example, coconut, lychee, ginger or garlic.

So next time you are feeling that familiar itch for a sweet, salty or spicy treat, or unsure what triggered that fatty food binge, stop to reflect on what might be causing these sudden desires, how your emotions and life experiences might be effecting your reactions, and what might be a better choice to restore both mental and physical balance.

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