Messages from the Body: 10 Tips for Deconstructing Food Cravings
Although food cravings get a bad rap as urges that do not serve us and that test our willpower, they are, in fact, important messages from the body. Part of embodied living means tuning in to how the body communicates and listening openly and honestly to those messages. So, the next time you feel the need for a particular food or drink, take a moment to pause and reflect on what your body might be trying to tell you. Use cravings as an opportunity to connect with your body on a deeper level; discover the emotional, psychological, and physiological imbalance that’s likely occurring; and respond with loving awareness.
Most cravings come from dehydration. Drink a glass of water and see if the craving subsides.
Many cravings come from a lack in primary food, or the other areas of your life besides the food on your plate such as career, relationships, finances, and physical exercise.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the concepts of yin and yang are used to talk about the different forms of energy that course through our body akin to the “fight, flight, or freeze” energy of the sympathetic nervous system, and the “rest and digest” energy of the parasympathetic nervous system. Society demands that we live a go-go-go yang lifestyle, often leading us to crave the quiet relaxation of yin, or foods that trigger the pleasurable relaxation response, like sugar and alcohol.
We often crave the comforting foods of childhood in times of stress and could perhaps reach out to family and friends for community support in these moments.
Sometimes we crave foods that are new, or foods we have just eaten. Brushing teeth or cleaning the tongue can help prevent cravings from foods recently eaten.
Cravings can be seasonal. We might crave warm, fatty foods such as soups and stews in winter and cooler, lighter foods such as salads and fruits in summer. Listening to these cravings can better connect our minds and hearts to the cycles of nature, within which our physical body naturally operates.
Cravings can be the result of a lack of nutrients. Are you craving red meat or leafy greens? You may be low on iron. It’s a good idea to notice these kinds of cravings and see if they disappear by eating more of what you crave. It can also be a good idea to get a routine blood test and make sure you don't have any nutrient deficiencies.
Hormones are the chemical syntax of our bodies—sending important messages across all systems. They fluctuate constantly at all stages of life in both men and women, and these changes can result in cravings.
Sometimes we crave foods we have been denying ourselves or telling ourselves we can never eat. It’s important to keep moderation in mind and to let yourself know that it’s ok to splurge on foods you don’t want to eat every day but do find pleasure in—like chocolate.
Craving foods that you know your body does not respond well to can be a sign of self-sabotage or of feeling you do not deserve to feel good. What’s your inner dialogue connected to the craving? What stories are you telling yourself about this craving? Try to take some time to pause and see how your inner critic might be showing up. What is the most compassionate action you can take for yourself in these moments?
Try some of these somatic meditations for connecting more deeply to your body.
