Cravings Aren’t About Willpower
I hear it all the time in my naturopathic practice—“I just don’t have the willpower.” But here’s the truth: cravings are your body’s way of trying to talk to you. And the sooner you stop fighting them and start listening, the easier everything becomes.
Your Body Speaks in Signals
Our bodies are smart. When something’s out of balance—blood sugar, hormones, nutrients—it doesn’t always show up as pain or a diagnosis. Sometimes, it shows up as I need chocolate right now.
Cravings are signals. They point to needs, gaps, and sometimes deeper dysfunctions. And yes, they can be emotional, too. But none of this means you’re doing anything wrong.
Let’s unpack a few of the most common ones I see.
Craving Sugar? Think Blood Sugar and Burnout
If you’re reaching for sugar in the late afternoon or after dinner, you’re not alone.
This is usually tied to two things:
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Blood sugar crashes from eating too many refined carbs earlier in the day.
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Adrenal fatigue, when your stress hormones are out of rhythm and your body wants a fast fix.
Your body isn’t begging for cookies—it’s begging for energy and stability.
Try this instead:
Add more protein and healthy fat to your breakfast. Eat regularly. Get ahead of the crash before it starts.
Craving Salt? Think Stress or Mineral Depletion
Salt cravings often point to low cortisol or electrolyte imbalance.
If you’re constantly craving salty chips or olives, your adrenal glands might be running on empty. This can happen when you’ve been under long-term stress or you’ve been sweating a lot without replenishing.
Try this instead:
Add sea salt or a mineral-rich electrolyte drink to your day. Don’t skip meals. If this is happening daily, it’s time to test your adrenal function.
Craving Crunch? Think Tension and Emotion
Ever want something crunchy when you’re mad, anxious, or wound up? That’s your nervous system trying to discharge stress. The act of crunching—literally—is releasing pent-up energy.
It can also point to unmet emotional needs, like frustration or lack of control.
Try this instead:
Notice the feeling before the craving. Go for a walk, breathe deeply, or journal for 3 minutes. Crunch on cucumber, jicama, or nuts if you still want texture.
Craving Late at Night? Think Sleep and Cortisol
Nighttime cravings usually mean your body is underslept, overstimulated, or stuck in a cortisol loop.
Instead of asking, “Why can’t I stop eating at night?” ask: “Why is my body still running at midnight?”
Try this instead:
Cut screens by 8pm. Add magnesium or adaptogens to your routine. Eat a balanced dinner—skipping dinner can make nighttime cravings worse.
It’s Not About Discipline—It’s About Decoding
You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re not addicted to food.
You’re likely running on survival mode without enough support.
In naturopathic medicine, we don’t just try to stop the craving—we ask why it’s there. Cravings are data. When we take the time to read that data, we can finally give your body what it actually needs.
You Deserve to Feel Balanced Again
When patients stop blaming themselves and start understanding their cravings, everything shifts. They feel in control again. They stop fighting their body. And most importantly—they start healing.
If this resonates with you, there’s nothing wrong with your willpower. You just need the right tools and the right plan.
Let’s get curious instead of critical. Your body’s speaking. Let’s learn to listen.
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Meta Description:
Cravings aren’t weakness. Learn what your body is really asking for and how to decode the deeper message behind sugar, salt, and late-night snacking.