Your Cravings Are Not Your Enemy— 6 Causes & Simple Indian Fixes

Do you ever feel guilty about craving samosas during a stressful workday or ordering in sweets and desserts after an emotional moment? What if I told you that your cravings aren't a sign of weakness—they're your body's inherent language, asking for balance?

In Ayurveda, cravings are seen as messengers, not mistakes. They reveal hidden imbalances—whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual—and when understood correctly, they can guide us toward better health by working on the root cause of those cravings.

The problem? Modern life drowns out these signals. We sit in AC offices (dehydrating without realising), snack mindlessly (confusing boredom with hunger), lack intimate relationships (in the over-sharing world of social media) and ignore what our bodies truly need.

But what if you could decode your cravings and respond in a way that nourishes you—without guilt or restriction?

Let's explore the 6 most common causes of cravings, why they happen, and how to fix them the traditional way—with Ayurvedic wisdom, Yoga practices, and simple food swaps that actually work.

1. Dehydration – "I'm Thirsty, Not Hungry!"

Why it happens: Ayurveda explains that air-conditioned environments severely aggravate Vata dosha - the dry, light and mobile energy. This artificial dryness suppresses our natural thirst signals (unlike traditional Indian workplaces with clay water pots). When Vata's cold quality dominates, the brain misinterprets dehydration as hunger, especially between 2-6 PM when Vata naturally peaks.

Body's message: "Hydrate me—don't feed me!"

Fix:

• Sip nimbu-pani with rock salt, chaas or flower teas before reaching for snacks

• Yoga hack: Practice Sitali pranayama (cooling breath) to curb false hunger

2. Emotional Stress – "I Need Comfort, Not Empty Calories!"

Why it happens: According to Ayurveda, chronic stress creates a Pitta-Vata imbalance - where mental heat (Pitta) combines with nervous system instability (Vata). This drives the body to seek grounding through heavy (calorie dense), oily or sweet foods (like pakoras or mithai) which temporarily calm Vata but ultimately worsen Pitta. Modern work culture lacks traditional stress buffers like afternoon rest or cooling herbs.

Body's message: "Soothe my stress, don't numb it!"

Fix:

• Swap samosas and spicy snacks with chana/ moong chaat with lots of vegetables; or some greek salads, feta watermelon salad etc.

• Ayurvedic calm: Golden milk (turmeric + ghee +A2 desi cow ghee) for warmth and nourishment.

3. Nutrient Deficiencies – "My Body is Running Empty!"

Why it happens: The quality of our soil and hence food has degraded over time with rising demands and modern farming methods. Improper food combinations (like fruit with meals) and irregular eating also weakens Agni (digestive fire), leading to poor nutrient absorption. Even when eating enough, the nutrients aren't assimilated properly. This creates specific cravings - like salt cravings indicating mineral deficiency (especially magnesium, pottasium and zinc).

Body's message: "Give me nutrients, not salt fixes!"

Fix:

• Buy from organic and hydroponic farms wherever possible; know where your produce comes from.

• Yoga move: Practise Agnisara, Nauli kriya, Yog Mudra, Ardhmatsyendrasana to keep the Jatharagni (digestive fire) activated for optimum absorption of nutrients.

4. Seasonal Shifts – "I'm Craving What Nature Needs!"

Why it happens: Ayurveda's Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) explains that cravings naturally shift with seasons to maintain dosha balance. In summer, the body intuitively seeks cooling foods (like watermelon) to pacify aggravated Pitta. In monsoon, we crave spicy and oily foods to counter Vata-Kapha imbalances due to cool winds and rains. Modern temperature-controlled environments disrupt this natural intelligence.

Body's message: "Balance the season's extremes!"

Fix:

• Summer: Sattu sharbat, Bel sharbat, aam panna etc.

• Winter: Til ladoo, Moong daal halwa, Saag etc.

5. Hormonal Fluctuations – "My doshas are imbalanced!"

Why it happens: Ayurveda identifies hormonal changes as primarily dosha imbalances due to changes in the natural rhythms, internally and externally. For eg: during PMS or menopause, excess heat accumulates in the lower abdomen (Apana Vata region), creating intense cravings for sour or cooling foods. The sour taste helps move stagnation, while chocolate cravings reveal a magnesium deficiency worsened by chronic stress depleting adrenal reserves.

Body's message: "Cool me down, don't fuel the fire!"

Fix: Kokum sherbet, flower teas and shatavari milk

6. Poor Sleep – "My Body is Running on Borrowed Energy!"

Why it happens:Ayurveda considers sleep (Nidra) one of the three pillars of health, alongside diet and lifestyle. When we skimp on rest, it disrupts the natural rhythm of Vata (governing the nervous system) and Kapha (responsible for restoration). Late nights and screen time before bed aggravate Pitta (10pm - 2am), leading to an imbalance where the body craves quick energy fixes like instant ramen, dessets, caffeine, or heavy snacks to compensate for fatigue.

Modern metropolitan life worsens this— the light and sound pollution, staying up late to meet deadlines, binge-watching shows, or scrolling through phones delays melatonin production, making deep, restorative sleep elusive. The brain, deprived of proper rest, seeks instant energy through stimulants (chai, coffee) or comfort foods (Maggi, cookies).

Body’s message: "Let me rest, don’t force me awake!"

Fix:

• Ayurvedic Sleep Tea: Warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg + ashwagandha before bed

• Digital Sunset: No screens 1 hour before sleep (or use blue light filters), sleep by 10pm

• Yoga Hack: Legs-up-the-wall (Viparita Karani) for 15 min with abdominal breathing.

Your cravings aren't a willpower problem—they're your body's SOS signals. The next time you reach for your phone to order pizzas and dessert or a midnight Maggi, pause. Ask yourself: "What is my body really asking for?"

Is it Hydration? Nutrients? Stress relief? Friends? Intimacy? Or just a hug?

When you start listening, you'll realize that true nourishment isn't about willpower—it's about wisdom.

Your Turn: Which craving do you struggle with the most? Comment below or DM me—I'd love to talk about it!

👉 Want to go deeper? Check out my health Programs here to balance cravings naturally.