Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD

What causes cravings?

Sometimes you crave foods ...

that contain nutrients your body needs

because you're bored, tired, anxious, depressed or fearful

because you're watching TV and a commercial suggests you're hungry

because you've been dieting and you feel deprived


What can you do to stop cravings?

*Craving chocolate may mean your body is deficient in magnesium. Rather than eat the fat, sugar and caffeine in chocolate, it's probably better to eat a big salad with leafy green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, kale, arrugala, Swiss chard, for example), a bowl of whole grain cereal (oats may be best because they also protect your heart), or legumes (have a handful of peanuts that haven't been salted or roasted in oil, or a cup of black bean or pea soup, or a Mexican meal with refried beans, or a side order of any kind of dried beans or peas) to replenish your magnesium.

*Cut out the fastfoods and start eating whole foods. Most fast foods are deficient in nutrients, high in calories, fat, salt and sugar. Things that only make you crave them more and put on unneeded weight that sets you up for diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more chronic conditions you don't need or want.

*Take a reading on yourself. Are you bored, tired, anxious, depressed or fearful? If you are, instead of eating, take a walk or do some exercise. It will soothe depression, relieve anxiety and fear and get your mind off food.

*Turn off the TV and do something constructive. Write that letter you owe a friend or family emember, find a hobby or volunteer work you're passionate about and go to it, take a course, read an inspiring book or make a 5-year plan to accomplish your dreams.

*Stop dieting. Research has shown again and again that dieting doesn't work. Ninety-nine percent of the people who diet and lose weight gain it back again and more! When you deprive your body of important nutrients, no wonder you crave foods. Don't believe there's a diet that will work to keep you healthy and trim long-term. There isn't one. Instead, focus on eating fresh (or frozen) organically produced (without harmful pesticides) fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals and breads, oily fish (salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel), soy (soy milk, soy cheese, soy meat, tofu, tempeh, soy burgers to name a few---check out your grocery store or find them in a health food store). Clean out your cupboards and freezer of sugary, non-nourishing food that only makes you crave more of the same. If you're hungry, have a handful of sunflower or pumpkin seeds or peanuts or Brazil nuts (the non-salted, non-oiled kind). If that doesn't do it, have a bowl of nourishing soup or a glass of water. Carry nuts, seeds and dried or fresh fruit with you so if you get a craving, you won't eat something that only makes you crave it more!

Bon Appetite!