This is a quick blog post today, inspired by how much chocolate I have been craving recently. That’s the first thing we think of, right? The old chocolate craving around our periods, therefore we need magnesium! Well it is estimated that 80% of Australians are deficient in magnesium! So while it could be very accurate that you’re both magnesium deficient and craving chocolate, there are so many other reasons you have that craving.

What do chocolate cravings mean?

Fatigue

Chocolate has properties that stimulate the brain. It increases the activity of the neurons in your prefrontal cortex – the area required for rational thinking, emotional regulation, and concentration. So if you’re feeling the effects of a late night, or are sleep deprived for any reason, you might find you crave chocolate to stimulate your brain to cope with the day.

Adrenaline

Typically, chocolate increases the dopamine in your brain. This is the reward pathway that gives you pleasure. Small amounts of chocolate will lead to an increase in dopamine, leaving you feeling happy and fulfilled. Now not many people know about this… but if you’re deficient in zinc, and you eat chocolate, your brain will convert the dopamine directly into adrenaline! So you suddenly find yourself bouncing off the walls, with ants in your pants, and while some people find they can concentrate well in this stage, others are too agitated and end up needing to go and release some energy. If you find you’re angry or frustrated when you eat chocolate, this could be why. You may also feel grumpy and tired the following day, but feel like you need more chocolate to help you focus again.

Boredom or Lack of Satisfaction

This links back to the dopamine. If you’re having one of those days where you don’t feel like you’re achieving much, a hit of dopamine will change that! Dopamine makes you feel like you’ve accomplished more than you have. I personally find I eat more chocolate on days I’m home with the kids, because in my mind I’ve got my own work to do but I never manage to get it done.

Sugar Hit

Have you ever tasted pure raw cacao beans? They aren’t the most palatable of foods. The reason we can enjoy chocolate so much is because most chocolates are sweetened with sugars. If you’re finding you’re craving chocolate during waves of low energy, and then needing more chocolate (or other sugars) in your next energy low, then it’s likely you’re needing the sugar hit and your body’s choice is chocolate.

Knowing the underlying reason of your craving is the key to resolving the issue.

How do you know which one you fit into? Well you might fit into more than one of these options. If you’re fed up with cravings (chocolate or otherwise) and would like to rebalance your system, there are natural solutions. (And for the record, I was craving chocolate to stimulate my prefrontal cortex, and once I rebalanced my neurology I am no longer craving it).