HOW TO DECODE YOUR CRAVINGS

It’s the time of year when a lot of the holiday and comfort food cravings kick in.

You’re fine one minute… and the next, you’re standing in the kitchen, staring down the snacks like it’s a showdown.

Cravings aren’t always random.

Think of them as little messages from your body, brain, or nervous system trying to tell you something.

Once you learn to “decode” them, you can respond in a way that actually works (instead of relying on sheer willpower.

Here are four common cravings and what they often mean:

🧁Sweet Cravings

→ Low energy or blood sugar dips (especially mid-afternoon)

→ Not enough protein earlier in the day

→ Needing emotional comfort

Quick fix: Pair a naturally sweet option with protein or fiber to stabilize blood sugar and mood. Try nondairy yogurt with berries and cinnamon, or an apple with almond butter.

Bonus: A brisk 5-minute walk can help boost your energy and burn off stress.

🥨 Salty or Crunchy Cravings

→Feeling stressed or ‘on edge’ (crunching can be soothing)

→ Low minerals (like magnesium or sodium)

→ Not drinking enough water

Quick fix: Sip a glass of water with electrolytes or a pinch of sea salt. Try snacking on roasted edamame for crunch and minerals.

🥐 Carb-Heavy Cravings (bread, chips, pasta)

→ Low serotonin (hello, comfort foods)

→ Hormonal shifts (especially around your cycle)

→ Not eating enough earlier, or having too few complex carbs earlier

→ Dehydration (your brain sometimes mistakes thirst for hunger)

Quick fix: Start with a tall glass of water, then eat a balanced snack with slow-digesting carbs + protein. Try rice with shredded chicken.

🍷 Late-Night Wine or Sugar Cravings

→ Nervous system overload (‘I need to turn my brain off’)

→ Fatigue disguised as hunger

→ A habit that signals ‘the day is finally over’ to you

Quick fix: Swap the reward loop: herbal tea with honey, a square of dark chocolate with almonds, or a 5-minute pre-bed routine (dim lights, stretch, slow exhale).

Cravings are often cues…

And when you respond to what’s behind them, they are so much easier to take care of.

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