Do you ever get random cravings? Mine has been potato recently. I just can’t get enough of that stuff… and cheese popcorn! And when I’m trying to stick to a diet, these cravings are terrible! I was surprised to learn though that some cravings are more than just missing a food you haven’t had for a while, though, and can be the sign that your body is missing something that it needs. Here are 7 cravings, and their hidden meanings…

1. Chocolate

Craving chocolate? Rather than just being the sign of a sweet tooth, this could be your body’s way of telling you that your mood has dropped. Chocolate contains feel-good hormones which will boost your mood, but only temporarily, meaning you’ll need more later. Try boosting your mood by doing something you enjoy, such as walking, running, painting or indulging in a hobby instead.

2. Sex

If you suddenly can’t get enough, it could be a sign that your hormones aren’t following their normal cycle. Most women feel more in the mood for two weeks before their period, but hormonal pills can change this, and even make these feelings worse. Just remember that during those two weeks, you are much more fertile than usual, so be careful and use contraceptives! And if you aren’t used to these urges and contraceptives don’t do the trick and it continues for more than two cycles, it might be worth seeing your GP.

3. Salt

I suffer from this one badly. Craving anything salty? This is a sign that your stress levels have rocketed, but an unhealthy snack like a bag of crisps or chips won’t actually stop the craving. You need the minerals from natural salt, so instead, reach for salted nuts, fruit or vegetables.