We all treat ourselves from time to time, but when the craving for a certain food won't go away, it may be something to think about.

There's no 100 percent way to figure out exactly why you want to eat a particular type of food at a particular time. It can baffle the best of us!

But some food cravings can hint at nutritional deficiencies or other health issues, according to Joseph Colella, author of The Appetite Solution. 

While you might not be able to diagnose yourself on food cravings alone, putting your food cravings into context can help to give your body what it really needs. 

So consider these triggers the next time you're reaching for the snacks:

Chocolate

If you crave chocolate, it doesn't mean your body has a chocolate deficiency (although we would probably prefer that).

Chocolate is high in magnesium and cravings often indicate that this mineral is low in your body. If this craving strikes, eat foods such as nuts, seeds and leafy greens. 

And if you must go for the chocolate (because let's face it, who can resist), choose organic or eat dark chocolate. 

 

Sweets

If you crave sweets you could be experiencing blood sugar fluctuations. When you blood level drops, your body is telling you to give it more fuel. 

While eating a handful of sweets might give you a rush of energy for a few minutes, beware, because you will come crashing down.

Instead try fruit, beans or wholegrains to give your body the energy it needs. 

 

Salty Food

Cravings for salty foods like popcorn or chips often indicate stress hormone fluctuations in the body – so getting on top of stress in your life is step one.

The adrenal glands in our bodies help to cope with stress, and in our hectic lives, it often gets worn out. Try meditation or breathing exercises to nab anything getting out of control.

 

Cheese

A craving for cheese or pizza could mean you have a fatty acid deficiency, which is actually common in most people. Eat foods such a raw nuts, wild salmon and flaxseeds. Regularly eating these types of foods should cut the cheese craving out altogether. 

 

Red Meat

Not surprisingly, a craving for red meat usually means you have an iron deficiency. Women are particularly vulnerable to this during their periods and head straight for burgers or steaks. 

Eat more iron-rich foods like beans, prunes, figs and other dried fruits. And if you need the meat, choose a lean or organic cut.