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Strong cravings for chocolate may be linked to an iron or magnesium deficiency, and some experts believe nutrition and hormones play a strong role in the desire for chocolate.

The Nestle Research Center in Switzerland completed a study that shows chocolate cravings are linked to the amount of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. If you don't have enough of these bacteria, you may experience more cravings for chocolate than most. (Source: American Chemical Society via SciencMode.com)

So what can be done to curb that sweet tooth? Monitoring your diet and making sure you're not stuck on a sugar and carbohydrate cycle are good places to start. Here are some easy ways to stop chocolate cravings so you can enjoy the good stuff in moderation:

Stop Craving Chocolate By Exercising More

Many people become addicted to chocolate because of the temporary mood boost it delivers. You can get this same boost in mood with a brief but vigorous exercise session. Any workout that gets your heart pumping and releases endorphins will give you that 'lift' you're craving. A workout can also keep your appetite under control the rest of the day, so you'll be less likely to overeat any type of food.

Stop Chocolate Cravings with Magnesium Supplements

Chocolate contains a significant amount of magnesium per serving, so if you're not getting enough magnesium from your diet, cravings might strike more often than not. Try a magnesium supplement before bed to keep your levels in check; magnesium is also an excellent sleep supplement that will let you relax with ease.

Stop Craving Chocolate by Eating Something Spicy

Tricking your taste buds by eating something that's completely the opposite of what you're craving can calm down the chocolate obsession. A super spicy snack will also help increase circulation and alter how you feel (at least temporarily), just long enough to conquer the chocolate craving.

Reduce Chocolate Cravings by Eating a Small Portion

A tiny portion of pure, dark chocolate can keep your sweet tooth under control. Many people think they're craving sweet chocolate, when a piece of slightly bitter dark chocolate will be just as rewarding. You can trim down the calories and fat when you make the switch to darker varieties, and slowly 'wean' yourself off the chocolate each time the craving hits.

Stop Chocolate Cravings by Waiting It Out

Cravings for any type of food typically subside within 15-20 minutes. If you can distract yourself for a while and get busy with something besides eating, your chocolate cravings may just disappear. Try chewing some powerful peppermint or spearmint gum to freshen up your breath and calm down your digestive system if you need some extra help.

Stay strong. You can do this. You can be healthy.