Milk cravings can catch us off guard, leaving us wondering about the underlying causes. The reasons behind these cravings might surprise you, from nutritional deficits to psychological triggers.
Understanding these factors can empower you to make informed choices about your dietary needs. The Eating Enlightenment, Food Journal App, is a valuable tool in this journey, offering support to manage cravings, emotional eating, and binges and helping you maintain a balanced and mindful approach to your well-being.
1 – You Lack Calcium Or Other Minerals
Harvard research indicates, “For many people, it is the easiest way to get calcium.”
But that’s not the only calcium source. Green leafy vegetables like kale also contain calcium.
But what’s easier of these two options?
- Pour a glass of milk with a bowl of cereal.
- Cut up, stir fry, and season some green leafy vegetables.
If you don’t eat many green leafy vegetables, you may be craving milk or other dairy products because your body wants more calcium.
Milk may also contain vitamin A and vitamin D (although, fun fact, vitamin D is added).
One easy idea is to try calcium and vitamin D supplements. If you live in the US and regularly drink milk, milk is likely the largest source of your daily Calcium and Vitamin D needs.
Summary: If you don’t eat many leafy green vegetables, you might crave the calcium in milk.
2 – You Are Hungry
Milk contains a good amount of protein, fat, and sugar.
Overall, one glass of milk contains:
- Calories: 150
- Water: ~90%
- Protein: 7.5 grams
- Carbs: 11.5 grams
- Sugar: 12 grams
- Fat: 8 grams
This is one reason babies need milk at the beginning of their lives: it is easy to digest and contains lots of vital nutrients.
I remember that growing up, I would always crave a bowl of cereal. Years later, I see my cravings for cereal were more due to the milk in the bowl of cereal!
Cereal was my excuse to get more milk when I was hungry.
Generally speaking, if you aren’t getting enough food, you’ll get cravings to eat food!
So, if you rely on milk to fill you up when you’re hungry, then you may be thinking it’s a craving for milk when, in fact, you are simply hungry.
Other dairy products like ice cream could also be craved too.
Overall, I can’t emphasize enough how many food cravings are simply because one is hungry! Duh!
Summary: Milk can help satisfy hunger.
3 – You Are Thirsty
Speaking of babies and milk …
You know you need water to live, right? Duh! Of course, you know that!
And … drumroll … Milk is approximately 90% water!
This means milk provides calories and hydration, plus a bunch of other minerals, like calcium, that you might be lacking.
Sounds like milk is pretty good, right?
Side note – ice cream also provides a moderate degree of hunger satisfaction and hydration.
While ice cream has much more sugar than milk, the same factors behind milk cravings also explain the meanings of ice cream cravings.
Summary: Milk can hydrate you.
4 – You Are Craving Sugar
Hold on, not so fast!
Remember how I said cereal was just my way to get more milk?
Well … that’s true … but the cereals I ate back then weren’t so good either …
- Reese’s Puffs
- Cornflakes
- Cocoa Crisps
Back then, I believed I partly craved milk because I craved sugar, too, and these cereals were loaded with sugar!
- Milk is often paired with sugary treats like “chocolate for ‘chocolate milk’” or “cookies for ‘cookies and milk’”
- Milk also has sugar about 4-12 grams per cup.
You may be craving sugar high, but because milk is often associated with sugar, your body interprets your sugar craving as a craving for milk.
Plus, milk has sugar too!
This also helps explain cravings for chocolate because milk and chocolate often are paired together. The familiar “milk chocolate” type says all you need to know.
Summary: It’s easy to think you are craving one thing (like milk) but craving another (like sugar).
Hint: Do you see how this relates to being hungry? One reason you crave sugar is that you’re not satisfied or are missing protein from your diet!
5 – You Just Ate Something Spicy!
Of course, not everything is about sugar.
Sometimes, you just eat something spicy and need milk to reduce those red-hot chili pepper burns!
Ever wonder why milk helps with spicy food? Most plant-based spicy foods contain a chemical called capsaicin, which is an oily compound.
Capsaicin is fat-soluble, meaning that the 8 grams of fat found in a glass of milk helps dissolve the capsaicin oil from the spicy food you just ate!
Good luck with those burns 🙂 Read here if you are craving spicy food.
Summary: The craving for milk in spicy situations could be caused by the fat in milk reducing the oily capsaicin compound found in spicy foods.
6 – Creamy Texture
And what’s another reason why people like milk?
It’s creamy 🙂
Milk, especially 2% milk fat or higher, can provide a slightly creamy texture that’s hard to find elsewhere.
It’s possible that the reason people crave milk is not for the nutrients or milk sugars but for the texture.
The texture does play a role in our food cravings, so don’t underestimate this reason!
Just think about your comfort foods; I’m betting these have a soft or creamy texture!
Summary: Milk is a unique liquid with a creamy texture that is hard to find elsewhere.
7 – Coffee
One reason is that many people detest black coffee.
What better way to make your black coffee taste better than by adding some creamy texture to it?
Heck, what about some sugar, too?
Milk has both sugar and that creamy texture, which is oh-so-good with black coffee.
Fun fact: I like drinking about 50% milk and 50% coffee.
You can get used to milk going with specific food pairings like cereal or cookies.
Therefore, the association with coffee is another reason you might crave milk.
Summary: Milk goes great with coffee.
8 – Genetics
Some people are lactose intolerant. In fact, according to the National Institute of Health, people from East Asia show the highest rates of lactose intolerance.
People whose ancestors originated in Asia likely didn’t have cows or other animal sources of milk until the past few hundred years. They relied upon a more plant-based diet, for example, eating more rice and vegetables.
When I lived at a monastery in California and traveled abroad to Thailand, I noticed there wasn’t nearly as much meat or dairy as the United States. While other factors other than genetics can explain this, it is still interesting to note.
However, other ethnic groups have a much longer historical connection to milk-bearing animals and might, therefore, crave milk because of genetics.
For example, certain groups of humans resided in Europe. They had a more extended evolutionary history alongside cows and other domesticated animals, as noted in Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, And Steel” book.
It’s likely that these humans developed less resistance to milk, as milk was a primary form of sustenance in the cold, barren northern lands of Europe.
That’s why there are many lactose-free cheeses in the world!
Summary: Genes can explain an aversion to milk (lactose intolerance),, and genes likely also play a role in craving milk.
9 – Comfort & Calories When Sick
Whether your ancestors needed milk to survive …
Or whether you like adding milk to your coffee…
Milk can make people feel comfortable.
Milk is beneficial for feeling comfortable when you are nauseous.
Sometimes, when you are nauseous or so anxious, you may not be able to eat solid food.
In these situations, milk can help you get the calories you need for sustenance.
Summary: If you struggle to eat food due to nausea or lack of calories, milk can provide an easy way to provide your body with sufficient calories.
10 – You Might Be Pregnant
To finish this list,, let’s return to calcium, our first reason.
Another reason you might be craving calcium is because you’re pregnant!
If you are pregnant, take a look at these prenatal multivitamins, specially formulated to support the development of the baby’s brain, nervous system, bones, and eyes.
FAQs:
Is craving milk a sign of pregnancy?
That’s right! Cravings for dairy are a prevalent sign of pregnancy.
According to Dr. People at Parents.com, fruit and dairy are the two most common cravings for pregnant women. Fruit provides vitamin C, and dairy provides calcium.
Why am I craving milk before my period?
It’s not uncommon to experience cravings for certain foods before your period. Some women crave chocolate; others crave salty snacks. And some women find themselves reaching for a cold glass of milk.
There are a few theories as to why this happens. One is that the body seeks out calcium-rich foods before menstruation to replenish stores that may be depleted during the month. Another possibility is that the body is trying to increase its intake of water and other fluids in preparation for the increased blood flow during menstruation.
Whatever the reason, there’s no need to worry if you’re craving milk before your period. Just indulge in a tall glass of your favorite chilled beverage and enjoy!
Can drinking too much milk be bad for you?
Yes. The Harvard research I cited at the beginning of this article indicates that too much milk can be detrimental. Here’s the science:
This study here followed over 60,000 women and over 45,000 men. Plus, they followed these people for over 13 years!!!!
This is incredible science here, ladies and gentlemen. The resources used to conduct this research were exhaustive.
What did the research indicate?
Too much milk, defined as three or more glasses per day, was significantly associated with higher mortality and increased risk of hip fractures.
With all that calcium, you’d think the group that drank more milk would see fewer fractures, but the data didn’t bear that out.
Can someone be addicted to milk?
No. I believe that you cannot be addicted to food, period.
At Eating Enlightenment, we believe that with proper love, training, nutrients, mindsets, and support …
We can return to our natural selves, which are whole and intuitive, and be normal around food.
Finally, I admit there are some different viewpoints on the issue of sugar addiction.
There are intelligent people on both sides of the debate, and some feel that sugar cravings can mean food addiction. For example, they note withdrawal symptoms in some people when deprived of sugary foods.
However, others feel that elements of deprivation set up sugar to be addicting, so it’s deprivation that’s the problem and not sugar itself.
Regardless, there’s no debate about whether milk is addicting or not. That debate was purely for sugary foods like sodas.
Milk is not addicting.
Why do I crave milk at night?
You might find yourself craving milk at night for a few reasons.
Perhaps you’re feeling a bit stressed, and your body is craving the comforting properties of milk.
Milk is also rich in calcium, which can help promote relaxation and sleep.
Additionally, if you’ve been working out hard during the day, your body may be craving the protein and nutrients in milk to help repair your muscles.
Whatever the reason, if you find yourself craving a glass of milk before bed, go ahead and indulge!
Why do diabetics crave milk?
There are a few possible explanations for why diabetics may crave milk. One theory is that the body craves calcium, which is found in milk.
Another possibility is that the body seeks extra hydration since diabetes can cause dehydration. It’s also possible that the body is simply seeking out more calories since diabetes can lead to restrictive eating.
Whatever the reason, if you’re diabetic and you find yourself craving milk, it’s essential to talk to your doctor to make sure that you’re managing your condition correctly.
Causes of milk cravings – Summary
It’s not uncommon to have a sudden and intense craving for milk. There are a few reasons why this might happen.
One reason is that you may be lacking in calcium. Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium, so your body may be trying to tell you that you need more of this essential nutrient.
Another possibility is that you’re lacking in protein. Milk is a good source of protein, so if you’re not getting enough from other sources, your body may crave it.
You may also be lacking in fat. Fat is an essential part of the diet, and milk contains a type of fat called saturated fat. Your body may crave milk if you’re not getting enough fat from other sources.
It’s also possible that your cravings are due to genetics. If your parents or grandparents craved milk, you may also be more likely to crave it.
Pregnancy can also cause cravings for milk. This is likely because pregnant women need more calcium than before they became pregnant.
Finally, you may be craving milk because you just ate something spicy. Spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining, and milk can help soothe this irritation.
If you find yourself craving milk frequently, you should talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian (or me!) to ensure you get all the nutrients you need.
