Divine Disruption

You know that moment when your elbow-deep in a bag of kettle chips or spooning almond butter straight from the jar and you think, “Ugh, what is wrong with me?” Here’s the truth bomb: nothing is wrong with you. Your cravings aren’t failure of discipline—they’re a message from your body. A signal. A little “Hey babe, something’s off, please pay attention” memo.

We’ve been taught to believe that cravings are the enemy. That if you just had more willpower, more discipline, more… celery sticks, you wouldn’t feel pulled toward sweet, salty, or creamy. But here’s the kicker: cravings are biological, emotional, and biochemical messages. They don’t make you weak. They make you wise—if you listen.

The Physiology of a Craving

Your body is wired for survival. It prioritizes keeping blood sugar stable, your brain fueled, and your stress hormones in check. Cravings often come from:

Blood sugar crashes: When you eat something high in refined carbs or sugar, your blood sugar spikes—then plummets. That crash triggers your body to shout for more sugar to bring you back up.

Nutrient deficiency: Your body may actually be low in magnesium, zinc, or protein—which can show up as cravings for chocolate, red meat, or salt. Your body isn’t asking for junk—it’s asking for replenishment.

Stress response: Cortisol (your primary stress hormone) increases your appetite—particularly for quick fuel like sugar and fat.

So, no—it’s not willpower. It’s chemistry. You’re not “bad.” You’re in a loop that biology designed.

Source: Harvard Health Publishing, “Why stress causes people to overeat” (2018); Mayo Clinic: “Blood sugar and hunger connection”; Institute for Functional Medicine nutrient depletion guides

Emotional Hunger vs Physical Hunger

Cravings have layers. You might be physically hungry—or you might be emotionally drained. You’re not craving a donut; you’re craving comfort, distraction, or grounding.

Signs it’s emotional hunger:
Comes on suddenly. Very specific (must be cheddar popcorn and nothing else!)
Feels urgent, like a demand. Continues even after you’re full.

Signs it’s physical hunger:
Comes on gradually. Open to multiple food options. Stops when satisfied.
Here’s the big truth: You’re not failing. You’re feeling. And your craving is a doorway—not a dead-end.

Cravings as a Communication Tool

When you stop shaming your cravings, you can start decoding them. Your body is wise. She’s not trying to sabotage you—she’s trying to self-regulate.

She may be saying: “I’m undernourished.” “I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m exhausted.”
“I haven’t laughed in 6 days and my soul is starving.”
Let that craving be your clue—not your curse.

Instead of asking, “Why am I so weak?”, try asking: “What am I needing right now—physically or emotionally?”

What to Do Instead of Giving In Blindly

Cravings aren’t the problem. Mindless eating is. Let’s trade reactive snacking for curious choices.

Balance your meals. Every meal should include: protein + fiber + healthy fat. This combo stabilizes blood sugar and reduces the intensity of cravings later.

Example: apple + almond butter = sweet satisfaction + blood sugar stability

Stress check-in. Before reaching for a snack, ask: “Am I actually hungry—or am I feeling anxious, tired, bored, or lonely?”

Hydrate. Mild dehydration mimics hunger. Try a full glass of water and wait 10 minutes.

The 5-minute rule. Cravings rise like waves. Instead of giving in immediately, wait 5 minutes. Move. Breathe. Then decide.

Upgrade the craving. Swap processed treats for nourishing alternatives that still satisfy:

Craving chocolate? Try dark chocolate + almonds. Craving chips? Try roasted chickpeas or pistachios. Craving ice cream? Frozen Greek yogurt with cinnamon and a drizzle of almond butter, or frozen High Protein Cheesecake – email me for it!

Don’t deprive—delight. Make space for joy in your food. When food is only functional, your pleasure centers rebel.

The Soulful Shift: Eat Like You’re Worth It

Cravings lose their grip when you stop trying to fight them and instead start to understand them. That doesn’t mean giving in to every whim—but it does mean meeting your body with curiosity, not criticism.

Ask yourself:
What do I actually need right now?
Have I nourished myself today?
What am I hungry for emotionally?
And then respond like someone who is healing, not punishing.
Your future self is dependent upon your choices.

Bottom Line:

Cravings don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re alive, intuitive, and needing a reset—physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
You don’t need more rules. You need more trust.

Next time you reach for that cookie, pause and ask, “What’s the message here?” You might just find the wisdom you’ve been craving all along.