Chocolate Cravings?

While reading “Adrenal Fatigue” by James L. Wilson (see book review), I came across an interesting fact about what is behind chocolate cravings, especially for women at a certain time of the month! Our body craves chocolate when we are low on magnesium, because chocolate is high in magnesium. One of the ways magnesium is used in the body is in the manufacture of the hormone progesterone, so it is related to PMS symptoms.

Unfortunately, we start a downward cycle. Although we get the magnesium our body needs, caffeine-like substance, theobromine, tires our adrenal glands (whose job it is to balance the sex hormones). The increase in adrenal fatigue leads to increased PMS symptoms…and then (to our detriment) we eat more chocolate.

So when you are constantly craving chocolate, listen to your body’s need for magnesium but get it from another source. Some suggestions for foods high in magnesium are kelp, almonds, cashews, peas and beans, whole grains (not refined) and green leafy vegetables. You could also try taking a supplement. The author here suggests 400mg from ovulation to the first day of your cycle. But remember, a supplement isn't a replacement for nourishing food.