What do your cravings mean?

Can’t keep away from the biscuit jar? Desperate for just one more square of choc? Cravings have a powerful influence on our eating habits, but what do your cravings mean?

Chocolate
It’s thought that craving choc can be a result of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is a powerful mineral and can help fight stress, improve sleep and promote relaxation. Smoking, drinking and stress are all thought to leave your body craving magnesium, so try to give up the vices and chillax to keep those choccy cravings at bay. Top up your levels by eating plenty of pumpkin seeds, seaweed, leafy greens, almonds and cashews, which are high in this essential mineral. Or simply pop a magnesium supplement such as Magnesium Citrate (£10.29, myprotein.com).

Carbs
Craving pasta, bread and pastry could be a sign of chromium deficiency or nitrogen deficiency. If you can’t resist picking up that croissant or cinnamon swirl try beating cravings by upping your intake of onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cinnamon, grapes, apples, sweet potatoes and green leafy veg or taking a chromium supplement. A lack of sleep can also see you craving carbs, so try to ensure you get your full seven to nine hours.

Sweets
Cravings sweets can be down to a number of factors from tryptophan deficiency to chromium deficiency. Top up your tryptophan levels with sweet potato, eggs, seaweed, spinach and plenty of fish or take a chromium supplement like the one above.