You’re Craving Magnesium, NOT Chocolate. Eat THESE Magnesium-Rich Foods Instead
Even though chocolate cravings are usually associated with women and their period, they can often indicate some mineral deficiency or health issue. For instance, chocolate craving can be a sign of a magnesium deficiency and more people are deficient in magnesium than you know…
According to a study conducted 10 years ago, nearly 50 percent of Americans didn’t get the recommended amounts of magnesium. You are probably wondering why aren’t people getting enough magnesium, right? Well, there are several reasons for this. Among them are:
- Eating too much processed foods which have no nutritional value
- Even if people eat whole foods, pesticides have significantly reduced the magnesium levels in the soil
- Stress causes the body to sabotage its magnesium levels
- Excessive consumption of sugar causes the body to use even more magnesium to process it
- Pharmaceutical drugs like antibiotics and birth control tend to also deplete magnesium levels
SIGNS OF MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
If you are experiencing any health issues, it could indicate the magnesium deficiency. The most common signs of this deficiency include high blood pressure, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, depression, anxiety, muscle cramps or spasms, and more!
SOURCES OF MAGNESIUM
Chocolate is one of the highest sources of magnesium with a staggering 41 milligrams per ounce in dark chocolate. Other sources include:
Fruit: Bananas, strawberries, grapefruit, figs, and avocado are all great sources
Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, as are sunflower seeds and flaxseeds!
Beans: Kidney, black, pinto
Fish: Great for omega-3s and magnesium
Nuts: Cashews, pecans, almonds, and Brazil nuts are perfect for getting your magnesium
Dark leafy greens: You need to be eating these every day. They include spinach, Swiss chard, kale, or collard greens
OTHER WAYS TO BOOST MAGNESIUM LEVELS
- Stop eating sugar, even though it tends to hide in various products, from salad dressings to beauty products. Cutting down on sugar helps your body replete its magnesium levels and gives you more energy, clear skin and helps you lose weight.
- Take magnesium supplements! However, make sure that you need to look for quality supplements rather than ones that contain artificial fillers. Opt for natural health stores as opposed to supermarkets.
- Take a bath with magnesium flakes. Magnesium chloride comes from the sea, and people benefit from this type of magnesium because it’s easily absorbed through the skin.
- Add raw cacao to your recipes as Cacao beans are one of the best dietary sources of magnesium
Source: http://theheartysoul.com/magnesium-deficiency-and-chocolate-cravings/?t=HHL