Those cravings you’ve been having actually reveal hidden vitamin deficiencies. Let’s decode a few

Who doesn’t crave good food? But, if your cravings get out of hand, they might be an indication of underlying health problems and nutritional deficiencies. Indianexpress.com spoke to health experts and found out a cheat sheet of common cravings and the deficiencies they are associated with.

Let’s start with something very common that probably all of us have been through at some point!

Fatty food

“Cravings for specific foods can sometimes indicate certain nutritional deficiencies or emotional needs. When an individual craves fatty foods, it may indicate two things. One is that the body needs more omega-3 and omega-6 for brain function and hormonal balance; or the individual’s diet lacks fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K,” shared Dt. Sonal Sureka, Dietitian, Consults on Practo.

Chocolate and nuts

Integrative Health Coach Dr Prathana Shah shared that if you have a chocolate craving, you might be deficient in magnesium as cocoa is a rich source of magnesium. You could also be suffering from a vitamin B deficiency, or copper, or fatty acid deficiency.

Sugary food

“If you constantly crave sugar, it’s likely you lack chromium, phosphorus or your blood sugar is off the charts. It could also simply mean that you need some joy in your life because sugar causes a spike in serotonin! So do more things that bring you joy,” Dr Shah shared.

Also, try and add in broccoli, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms to your diet. A bread craving could indicate a lack of nitrogen, which requires more nuts, seeds, citrus and dark leafy greens.

Understanding and addressing these cravings require a comprehensive view of one’s overall health and lifestyle (Source: Freepik)

Salty food

If you’re craving salty foods, you could be having low levels of sodium. A cheese craving could be due to lack in calcium, so consider adding some milk to your diet.

“Also specifically, low levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium can lead to an increased desire for salty foods,” shared Sureka.

She emphasised that food cravings can indicate underlying health issues beyond nutritional deficiencies, such as hormonal imbalances, blood sugar regulation problems, and emotional or psychological factors like stress or depression.

“They can also result from sleep deprivation, dehydration, gut microbiome imbalances, or side effects of medications. Understanding and addressing these cravings may require a comprehensive view of one’s overall health and lifestyle,” added the dietitian.

Dr Shah suggested getting regular blood tests done and checking your electrolytes, vitamin and blood sugars regularly. According to her, a regular health checkup is essential to catching diseases early and even preventing the onset of more.

*DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.*

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