Are Your Food Cravings Trying To Tell You Something?

Insatiable sweet tooth? Can’t resist a cheese board? It might be more than just gluttony, discovers Amy Packer

-  Amy Packer

Bacon butties

Who hasn’t hoped to have breakfast delivered to their bed after one too many? But if a sarnie packed with rashers keeps floating into your mind, there might be more to it.

“If you are vegetarian or vegan, it can be distressing to have cravings for meat, but it isn’t hugely unusual,” says Lauren Craven-Niemczyk, head nutritionist and product developer at Feel Vitamins (wearefeel.com).

“The reality is that this craving may be telling you to eat more protein.”

The good news is you can still do this without visiting the meat aisle.

“Dairy, soya, nuts, seeds and protein powders such as hemp or brown rice are all great options,” adds Lauren.

If you’re already well catered for in the protein department, it could be a sign of another deficiency.

“Craving red meat, in particular, may indicate a diet low in iron, zinc or B vitamins,” she explains. “Try to increase plant-based sources of these foods, for example nuts, seeds and leafy greens, or take a good quality multivitamin.”