Decoding the Connection Behind Your Chocolate Cravings

Do you ever find yourself wondering why your body seems to yearn for specific foods, only for those cravings to vanish like a puff of smoke? One moment you're fixated on chocolatey goodness, and the next, it's like it never happened! We'll dive into the enigma of cravings with a time limit, and why our bodies play this whimsical game with our taste buds.

🔍 Unraveling the Connection

Picture this: a long, exhausting day at work or a flurry of personal challenges. Suddenly, all you can think about is sinking your teeth into a velvety chocolate treat. You're not alone; many of us experience this craving-stress connection, and science might have just cracked the cocoa code.

While stress certainly plays a role in our love affair with chocolate, there's more to it than meets the eye. Enter the stealthy mineral - Magnesium! It turns out that chocolate cravings could be your body's way of signaling a magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium is a mighty mineral responsible for regulating stress hormones like cortisol. When our stress levels surge, our magnesium levels may take a dip, triggering a chain reaction that sends us running straight to the candy aisle.

• Muscle cramps and spasms 💪

• Fatigue and weakness 😴

• Irregular heartbeat 💔

• Nausea and vomiting 🤢

• Loss of appetite 🍽️

• Tingling or numbness 🔢

• Mood swings 😓

• Insomnia 😴💤

• Headaches 🤕

• Muscle weakness 💪

These are all signs of magnesium deficiency.

The Chocolate-Magnesium Fix:

But before you dive headfirst into a pool of chocolate bars, let's talk about a more nourishing solution - boosting your magnesium intake!

1. Leafy Green Power: Popeye wasn't kidding when he chomped on spinach! Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and chard are fantastic sources of magnesium. So, load up your plate with these super greens to keep those cravings in check.

2. Go Bananas: Besides being a convenient snack, bananas are a sweet source of magnesium. Munch on one to curb those sweet-tooth pangs and support your body's mineral balance.

3. Nuts About Nuts: Almonds, cashews, and peanuts are not only tasty but also pack a magnesium punch. Keep a handful of nuts nearby for a crunchy stress-busting snack.

4. Whole Grains, Wholeheartedly: Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats are a great way to up your magnesium game while nourishing your body with fiber and essential nutrients.

🚨 Should I buy a magnesium supplement?

I have been getting super positive feedbacks from my patients utilising magnesium supplement, including myself! However, it's all about quality. Tabs on the chemist shelf may compromise on various factors such as sourcing, manufacturing processes, and overall product standards. This compromise can lead to subpar magnesium supplements that might not provide the expected benefits. In fact, some types of magnesium such as 'magnesium oxide' may irritate our digestive system and can potentially cause negative side effects (which nobody wants!). If you really want to get the good results, it's so important to consult with qualified naturopaths or nutritionists with your full details. In saying that, if you know you are carrying a lot of stress in your life, it is also essential to support brain and adrenal connection, called HPA axis. Hypothalamus and Pituitary in the brain is like a message control centre telling the adrenal glands what to do. And Adrenal glands are like 'responders'. When they receive the message from the pituitary gland, they release stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, into your bloodstream. These hormones help your body deal with the stress and stay alert. However, chronic or prolonged stress can sometimes put too much pressure on this system, leading to potential health issues. So, back to the topic - the true suspect of chocolate cravings are magnesium deficiency, most likely due to chronic stress, consciously or maybe unconsciously! Are your brains and adrenals getting looked after? Stay healthy xx Saya