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- Oct 18, 2012
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Has anyone else heard the theory that cravings for certain foods are a result of underlying deficiencies, that cravings are the body's way of telling you what nutrition it needs? Is there good evidence supporting this, or is it an undisputed fact in certain circumstances (e.g. in pregnant women)?
In some ways my body would be regarded as hopeless at telling me what it needs, as it tells me I don't need to eat sometimes even though my weight is dangerously low, and it tells me I need codeine when I've already had well over the recommended daily amounts. (Though I would argue that while my weight is low, my digestive system is right to tell me when it can't handle food, and I will feel better with codeine regardless of official dosage rules.)
I definitely get cravings, for all sorts of different things, and I'll eat them very often for a few weeks or months, and then I really don't want them at all anymore. But when I am craving something, I know exactly what I want: not just a food-type, but a specific food/drink, often a specific brand. Though there are other foods and drinks that I like on a much more long-term, usually less intense basis. My blood tests don't usually reveal any deficiencies.
Do you think cravings are more common in people with digestive disease or who are underweight? Do you get cravings, do they differ when you're flaring? Is there any link between the things you crave or are they random?
In some ways my body would be regarded as hopeless at telling me what it needs, as it tells me I don't need to eat sometimes even though my weight is dangerously low, and it tells me I need codeine when I've already had well over the recommended daily amounts. (Though I would argue that while my weight is low, my digestive system is right to tell me when it can't handle food, and I will feel better with codeine regardless of official dosage rules.)
I definitely get cravings, for all sorts of different things, and I'll eat them very often for a few weeks or months, and then I really don't want them at all anymore. But when I am craving something, I know exactly what I want: not just a food-type, but a specific food/drink, often a specific brand. Though there are other foods and drinks that I like on a much more long-term, usually less intense basis. My blood tests don't usually reveal any deficiencies.
Do you think cravings are more common in people with digestive disease or who are underweight? Do you get cravings, do they differ when you're flaring? Is there any link between the things you crave or are they random?
