As a new mother, your body is going through tremendous changes. Between sleepless
nights and the demands of caring for your baby, it’s easy to neglect your own needs,
particularly when it comes to nutrition. Understanding the root causes of food cravings
can empower you to make better choices, stabilize your hormones, and keep your
energy levels steady. Here are eight common causes of cravings and actionable tips to
manage them.

1. Lack of “Primary Food"
Primary food refers to non-food elements that nourish your life, such as relationships,
physical activity, career satisfaction, and spiritual practice. If these areas are
unbalanced, it can lead to emotional eating. As a new mom, you may feel isolated,
overwhelmed, or disconnected from your previous routines.

Tips to Address This:
• Seek support from your partner, family, or mom groups to ease feelings of
isolation.
• Incorporate light, enjoyable exercise like walking with your baby or doing yoga.
• Set aside a few minutes daily for mindfulness or journaling to help manage
stress.

2. Hydration
Dehydration can mimic hunger, leading to unnecessary snacking. Postpartum, staying
hydrated is especially important, particularly if you’re breastfeeding, as this process
increases your fluid needs.
Tips to Address This:
• Keep a water bottle within reach throughout the day.
• Aim to drink a glass of water before meals to ensure proper hydration.
• Include hydrating foods in your diet, like cucumber, watermelon, and broth-based
soups.

3. Yin-Yang Imbalance

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suggests that imbalances between expansive (yin)
and contractive (yang) foods can lead to cravings. For example, consuming too much
sugar (yin) may make you crave protein-rich foods (yang).

Tips to Address This:
• Focus on neutral, whole foods like vegetables, whole grains, beans, and
moderate amounts of protein.
• Avoid extremes, like too many sugary snacks or overly salty processed foods.

4. Inside Coming Out
Cravings can stem from recent meals or comfort foods from childhood. These cravings
often reflect a desire for emotional comfort or familiarity during times of stress.

Tips to Address This:
• Prepare healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods. For instance, try baked
sweet potato fries instead of regular fries.
• Pair nostalgic treats with nutrient-rich foods to strike a balance.

5. Seasonal Cravings
Your body naturally craves different foods depending on the season. For example,
lighter, cooling foods are often desired in summer, while hearty, grounding foods are
more appealing in winter.

Tips to Address This:
• Eat seasonally by incorporating fresh, local produce into your meals.
• In colder months, opt for warming dishes like stews and roasted vegetables to
satisfy your cravings and boost energy.

6. Lack of Nutrients
Cravings can indicate nutrient deficiencies. For example, a craving for chocolate might
signal a magnesium deficiency, while a desire for salty snacks might indicate a need for
sodium or electrolytes.

Tips to Address This:
• Include a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and
lean proteins, in your diet.
• Speak with your doctor about taking a high-quality postnatal vitamin.

7. Hormonal Changes
Postpartum hormonal fluctuations are inevitable and can lead to strong cravings,
especially for sugary or carb-heavy foods. Stress can further exacerbate these hormonal
shifts.

Tips to Address This:
• Stabilize blood sugar by eating small, frequent meals that combine protein,
healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
• Incorporate hormone-balancing foods, like flaxseeds, avocados, and wild-caught
salmon, into your diet.
• Practice stress-reduction techniques, such as deep breathing or a warm bath
when you feel overwhelmed.

8. Devolution
Changing your diet and lifestyle is a process, and it’s normal to slip back into old habits
occasionally. Recognize this as part of your journey rather than a failure.

Tips to Address This:
• Celebrate small victories, such as swapping sugary snacks for fruit or drinking
more water.
• If you have an off day, don’t dwell on it. Refocus on your goals and keep moving
forward.

Final Thoughts
Acknowledge that your life has changed. Motherhood is an incredible stage of life, and
embracing this new chapter is key to finding fulfillment. Trying to live exactly as you did
before can lead to frustration. Instead, adapt to your current reality and prioritize your
well-being. By understanding the root causes of your cravings and implementing these
tips, you can create a sustainable routine that supports your energy levels and
hormonal balance. Remember to be kind to yourself during this transformative time
and take each day one step at a time.