If you’re craving a steak or a burger:
Cravings for red meat can signal a lack of iron, or conjugated linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid that helps your body burn stored fat. A healthier option to replace iron is dark, leafy greens like spinach.  This is especially beneficial if your diet is high in fat or carbohydrates. Try incorporating smaller amounts of red meat into your diet so that you don’t go overboard when you do indulge.

If you’re craving baked goods:
This usually indicates that your blood glucose levels are fluctuating. The stress hormone cortisol triggers the release of glucose, and thereby insulin to regulate it. The sugars and carbohydrates in baked goods raise levels of blood sugar and serotonin, which is a brain chemical that invokes feelings of happiness.  Instead, try a piece of fruit or a glass of 100% fruit juice.  Not only will the natural sugars help level you out, but they also provide nutrients like vitamin C that you can’t get from a brownie.

If you’re craving chocolate:
Chocolate contains an amino acid called phenylalanine, which is essential in the body’s production of brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin.  These chemicals enhance mood, and reduce pain. A better choice is dark chocolate as it has less sugar and more cacao.  Another option is to mix unsweetened cocoa powder with skim milk and add a natural sugar substitute like Stevia.

If you’re craving French fries:
This usually means you’re lacking sodium, or experiencing a blood sugar imbalance caused by cortisol. The simple carbs in potatoes break down to glucose, and the salt will satisfy your need for sodium.  The healthy alternative is salted nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts.  These are full of sodium as well as healthy omega 3 fatty acids.  The protein found in nuts will help keep your energy up as well.

Home Hiccup Cure
Here’s a tip from one of our customers:  Nancy says “take a teaspoon of honey, agave nectar, or sugar and hold it in the mouth for less than a minute.  The hiccup just disappears.  Don’t know why, it just does.”  Thanks for the tip Nancy, more people suffer from hiccups than most people realize.

Trouble Sleeping
Your body needs the essential amino acid tryptophan in order to make serotonin and melatonin which help control your mood and sleep patterns.  If you don’t have enough tryptophan, you won’t be able to make enough serotonin or melatonin, and you may start to feel depressed or have trouble sleeping.  The easiest way to get tryptophan is by eating it.  It’s contained in many dairy products, fruits, and lean meats.  Ever wonder why Thanksgiving dinner is so nap inducing?  Turkey is very high in tryptophan.

Chocolate is Good for Your Heart
It sounds too good to be true, but evidence in recent years has been mounting steadily.  Dark chocolate especially is an excellent source of antioxidants.  A 2006 study among Dutch men showed that the ones who ate more foods made from or containing cocoa had lower blood pressure and their risk of death was 50% lower than those who ate little or no chocolate.

I “Swear” This Works
Ever wonder why people are more likely to utter expletives when in pain?  Recent research from Keele University in England suggests that swearing originates in the right hemisphere of the brain, and is more aligned with emotion than language.  It triggers adrenaline, and increases aggression, which in turn downplays pain and weakness.  So, depending on the company you keep don’t be afraid to let it out the next time you stub your toe.