Why people have cravings for sweet and salty foods?

An Australian nutritionist has highlighted the importance of paying close attention to your cravings, as they can indicate the possibility of deficiencies in the body, the Daily Mail reported.

Lee Holmes from Supercharged Food said ongoing cravings are often caused by essential mineral deficiencies, which can lead to health problems over time.

“When it comes to nutrition, one of the greatest obstacles people face is 'the battle of the appetite and cravings,’” Lee told FEMAIL.

“Sometimes when you're not giving your body what it needs it can pull out the placards and protest!” 

If you're craving chocolate, nuts or beans, this could signify a deficiency in magnesium, which is found in pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, peanuts, soy milk and spinach.

Lee suggested reaching for a dark chocolate treat, snacking on almonds or adding beans to your lunch to ensure the craving doesn't persist.

She added that deficiencies in zinc, chromium, iron, calcium and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings too.

Craving lollies, fizzy drinks, and other sugary snacks shows you are lacking in trace minerals including chromium, tryptophan and phosphorus, according to the experts, all of which are needed for energy, cell repair and a healthy metabolism.

If you're craving a salty snack, this could be a signal for an electrolyte imbalance, which could occur after exercising or from being dehydrated.

“When a person loses too much sodium, from vigorous exercise, their body may begin to crave salt,” Lee said. “Zinc and iron deficiency may also contribute to salt cravings.”

It's an odd craving, but at times you might find yourself wanting fizzy drinks or soda water, which Lee said could be an indication of a lack of calcium in the body.

Instead of giving into the craving, supplement this by opting to drink milk or eat plums, kale and broccoli with a meal.

Other foods rich in calcium include yoghurt, leafy greens, sardines, and most cheeses. 

If your body is low in iron you will likely start to crave meat, as a lack of protein in the diet and blood sugar issues can cause protein cravings.

You might also be iron deficient if you start of crave ice, Lee revealed.

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