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Eating healthy can come as a struggle for many of us, what with our crazy work schedules and propensity for sugary, salty, yummy foods (did someone say pizza?). But sometimes, the not-so-great-for-you foods that you crave can actually tell you something super important about what your body needs.

Here’s a closer look at what your food wants might actually mean—and how you can maximize these cravings to stay healthy and satisfied.

Sugar: The more sugar you eat, the more you want to eat. Which can be an issue since eating too much sugar can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain. Another interesting facet of sugar cravings (and insulin resistance), however, is that they’ve been linked to low Vitamin D levels—and according to recent research, not having enough D can mess with your appetite control. Talk about a vicious cycle!

To make sure you’re getting enough…