What causes food cravings? Understanding what causes your food cravings is the first step toward controlling them. Though the exact cause of food cravings is difficult to pinpoint, many doctors and nutritionists alike believe that they develop as a result of a complex medley of biochemical processes and a variety of hormonal and emotional factors.     There are many additional theories as to the causes of food cravings, some of which can be found below:    Lack of nutrients If your body has inadequate nutrients, it will produce odd cravings. For example, inadequate mineral levels produce salt cravings, and overall inadequate ...