FOOD CRAVINGS? MYSTERY SOLVED.

We all have food cravings from time to time. What's new.

Apparently there's rhyme and reason behind said cravings.

The Top 5 Food Cravings:

1. SALT

Needs trace minerals. In case you missed it, trace minerals are minerals needed only in small amounts, generally less than 20 milligrams per day.

Iron / Zinc / Manganese / Copper / Fluoride / Molybdenum / Iodine / Chromium / Selenium

2. SWEETS

Needs chromium (a type of trace mineral). See above. The amount of chromium your body needs depends upon your age and gender.

For Adult men ages 19 to 50 = 35 micrograms vs. Adult men ages 50+ = 30 micrograms per day.

For Adult women ages 19 to 50 = 25 micrograms vs. Adult Women 50+ = 30 micrograms per day.

Chromium enhances the action of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and protein.

3. CHOCOLATE

Needs magnesium.

Magnesium is a mineral that's crucial to the body's function. Magnesium helps keep blood pressure normal, bones strong, and the heart rhythm steady.

4. DAIRY

Needs essential fatty acids aka EFAs.

EFAs support cardiovascular health, brain function and development, skin health, and offer many other benefits for your body.

5. RED MEAT

Needs iron and/or B12.

For Adult men and Postmenopausal women = 8 milligrams of iron per day.

For Adult women ages 19 to 50 = approximately 18 milligrams of iron per day (to support iron loss during menustruation).

Iron is necessary to produce the proteins hemoglobin, found in red blood cells, and myoglobin, found in muscle cells. These proteins bind to oxygen and carry it to the cells throughout the body. Iron supports brain development, immune function, and temperature regulation.

#nutrition