5 Steps to Decoding Your Cravings

Welcome back, Happy Army! We are talking about cravings today.

Cravings often get a bad rep. I'm sure you've heard tons of people saying this like:

"You'll gain weight if you give in to your cravings."

"Cravings come from bad habits or addictions."

Or my favorite one:

"You lack willpower." or "you need more discipline."

But what if I told you that cravings are actually your body's way of sending important messages?

Let’s get into what those urges might really be saying and learn how to better understand them.

Cravings can be anything from a desire for a sweet treat to a yearning for comfort foods on a rainy day.

Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t just about willpower (I hate it when people say that!). Often times, these cravings can actually be signals that your body or mind is trying to tell you something important.

In this blog post, we're gonna talk about:

• What are physical cravings

• What are emotional cravings

• Cravings stemmed from nutritional deficiencies

• How to decoding your cravings

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Physical Cravings

Physical cravings usually mean your body needs something specific.

For example: If you generally crave for salty chips or other salty-flavored snacks, your body might be asking for more electrolytes. Or if you crave sweets, it could be a blood sugar imbalance.

Ignoring these signals can sometimes lead to future problems that mess with your overall well-being.

Emotional Cravings

Emotions play a big role in cravings too. There is a reason for why a tub of ice cream is the go-to indulgence after a horrible day (the reason is because sugar triggers a dopamine release, which gives you an immediate but temporary mood boost).

These are emotional cravings, a response to how we’re feeling rather than what our bodies need.

Recognizing these moments helps you understand what’s really going on inside.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Sometimes, cravings point to specific nutrient deficiencies.

For example, chocolate cravings are linked to low magnesium, which is found in cocoa.

Understanding these connections can help you make healthier choices that satisfy your body’s needs.

I highly recommend The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirasagar if you struggle with identifying your cravings, and how to manage them. Not only does it give awesome insight on curbing unhealthy cravings, but this book is packed with insight on what your cravings are telling you about your body, and how to give your body a 30-day reboot so you can eliminate your cravings at the root! I promise, you and your body are going to thank me! Just click on the link!

Decoding Your Cravings

• Listen Mindfully

Pause when a craving hits.

Ask yourself: “What do I really want right now?

Is it taste, texture, or am I feeling a certain way?”

This moment of awareness helps you tell if the craving is physical or emotional.

• Hydrate First

Before you reach for that snack, try drinking a glass of water.

Dehydration sometimes tricks us into thinking we’re hungry or craving specific foods.

• Check Nutrient Content

Do a little digging into the nutrients in the food you’re craving. If you're craving something sweet, maybe you need a natural energy boost.

Grab some fruit instead, which comes packed with vitamins and fiber.

• Explore Healthier Options

You don’t have to deny yourself! Just swap out that craving with a healthier version.

If your craving something salty and crunchy, reach for whole-grain crackers and hummus instead of a bag of chips.

And for my tea lovers, try making The Daily Drink (recipe found in The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirasagar), an Ayurvedic detox tea with fennel and cumin seeds. It’s hydrating, metabolism-boosting, helps people lose weight, and my students swear it helps reduce their cravings.

• Do an Emotional Check-In

I'll admit, this step is difficult, but it does get easier with practice.

Emotional cravings are the toughest ones to recognize and control, since emotions are tough to recognize and control! So the first step here is recognition by doing a quick check-in.

Do a quick breathing exercise, maybe meditate for a couple minutes, yoga, or even going for a walk. Anything that helps you take a quick pause and feel centered.

What are you actually feeling? What set that emotion off? Is the emotion a rational or an irrational response to the external stimuli? No judgments here, just pure understanding.

While your craving may feel like it's going to address the emotional issue, usually it's your body's way of trying to control the external world instead of addressing the actual concern: your response to the situation.

Once we truly understand this, the cravings get much easier to understand as well.

Balance and Moderation

Indulging every now and then is totally okay! Being too strict can backfire and lead to overindulging later.

The key is to find that sweet spot between treating yourself and staying mindful about your choices.

We're leaving food/craving shaming in the past! Get The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirasagar. This book is a literal roadmap to understanding your body and your needs, and how you can prosper just by understanding and listening to them! The book is the cheapest it's ever going to be, at only $10! Click the link, and join the thousands of us who are ready to reconnect with our bodies and minds to achieve our highest selves! It's time to be happy again!

The Sum Up

Cravings aren’t the enemy. They’re your body’s way of sending you important clues about what it needs.

By tuning in and decoding these signals, you can make choices that align with your health and well-being.

So, what’s your go-to craving? Mine is always pickles!

That's it for now! Sending positive vibes your way, and happy exploring!