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The mechanism of the beastly appetite attacks has been revealed.

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Published: 2012-05-16 11:19

It is not only pregnant women who sometimes experience an irresistible desire to indulge in something sweet, unhealthy, salty, or eat a mountain of lettuce. Every second person on the planet, experts say, regularly experiences the strongest attacks of brutal appetite, writes Bild.

"Sometimes we eat away stress with a chocolate bar or a piece of cake. However, often our desire to immediately eat something is hidden by a lack of a specific substance in our body," the publication writes. "Our body sends us unambiguous signals that indicate its true needs," says nutrition expert Werner Winkler, noting that an irresistible desire to eat something specific is not a whim of our body, but an indicator of a lack of a specific vitamin or mineral.

"Unfortunately, only a few are in tune with their bodies and can distinguish between a normal feeling of hunger and an obsessive desire to consume something specific and not always healthy. In this case, these conditions become a problem," says Marion Grillparzer, the author of a book dedicated to this phenomenon. According to her, it is not necessary to consume fast food or eat a bar of chocolate every time you feel like you can't do without it. The publication provides a number of tips that can be followed to offer your body a healthier alternative.

"A lack of iron in the body often leads to a person looking with indifference at juicy steaks and hamburgers." Experts suggest eating legumes, as well as iron-rich oatmeal and spinach, as a replacement for animal products.

Craving for all sorts of chewing pastilles and marmalade most likely indicates a lack of sugar and, above all, selenium. The latter protects cells from free radicals and is involved in hormonal processes occurring in the thyroid gland. Nutritionists advise resorting to dried fruits in such cases - among other things, they are a real treasure trove of potassium.

Sodium deficiency is behind the desire to snack on chips and salty crackers, experts say. Salted water or a handful of olives can help you overcome the irresistible urge to eat a bag of chips.

"Those whose diet does not go without chocolate, apparently suffer from a zinc deficiency. (...) This element is known for its participation in various metabolic processes and for strengthening the body's defenses. Nuts and seeds - especially cashews and sunflower seeds - contain a lot of zinc. (...) But the absolute record holders for the content of this element are oysters."


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