One of the best results of following paleo has been a reduction in food cravings. In fact, the only craving I've had since starting has been for a glass of wine. Prior to this challenge I had gotten back on the sweets roller coaster, almost needing to have something sweet every night. My biggest weakness is chocolate cake, and of course, indulging once in a while is fine, but this should not be a daily treat. I've learned a great deal about what causes these cravings, and most of the time, they result from something your body is lacking.
One of the best examples is the extreme chocolate craving the women experience around their periods. Turns out that a magnesium deficiency, which is exacerbated during menses, is the likely culprit. Chocolate is relatively high in magnesium so we women experience some intense cravings. Upping your magnesium intake can help keep these cravings in check. Almonds and cashews are a great source, and I've definitely been eating a significant amount of both.
Another example is carb cravings. This results from blood sugar swings, caused by eating too many carbs relative to protein and fat. Carbs are a quick source of energy that your body can easily breakdown and use, so when blood sugar levels dip you crave more carbs to quickly bring them back up. A great way to break this cycle is to increase your protein intake. Again, because paleo focuses heavily on protein and good fat, carb cravings are minimized.
Take the time to track your cravings and do some investigating to figure out what it is your body might be lacking. It is also important to consider your stress level. When we're stressed we tend to reach for "comfort foods" because they stimulate endorphin and serotonin release in the brain. These have a calming, soothing, and anti-depressant effect, so its no wonder that people crave theses foods when they are stressed.
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