Craving Nuts? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Them

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Craving Nuts Here's Everything You Need to Know About Them

If you’ve ever felt a strong craving for nuts, you’re not alone. In fact, nut cravings are quite common. But what’s the reason behind these food cravings?

And are too many nuts bad for you? In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about craving nuts.

We’ll talk about why people crave them, the health benefits of nuts, ways to eat them, and more. So if you’re curious about nut cravings, read on!

1 – Hunger

too hungry

The main reason people crave nuts is genuine hunger. Nuts are a great source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.

All of these are essential for keeping your energy levels up and your hunger at bay. If you find yourself craving nuts often, it’s likely because you’re not eating enough other sources of these throughout the day.

Nuts are great but moderation is important.  To be more holistic in your relationship with food, make sure to include plenty of protein, healthy fats, and fiber in your diet from other sources such as lean meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables. 

You can also try snacking on nuts or adding them to meals to help keep hunger at bay.

If you get chocolate cravings, it’s the same reason. You are probably hungry!

2 – Convenient snack

peanut butter jar with peanuts

Another common reason people crave nuts is because they’re a convenient snack.

Nuts are easy to grab and eat on the go, which makes them a great option when you’re short on time or looking for a quick snack.

If you find yourself craving nuts often because you’re always on the go, try planning ahead by packing snacks or meals that include nuts. This way, you’ll have something healthy to eat when you start feeling hungry.

My favorite is two slices of whole wheat bread sandwiched with almond butter in the middle!

In general nut butters are a source for good quality fats, speaking of which …

3 – Missing out on healthy fats

healthy fats to eat picture with avocados, fish, nuts, olive oll

Fatty foods get a bad rap in our society, but we all need healthy fats in order to have a satisfying relationship with food.

Fats help us absorb vitamins and minerals, they give us energy, and they help us feel full after eating.

Plus, your organs need fat too! Fat helps protect your organs from damage! So you absolutely need fatty food in your diet.

If you’re not getting enough healthy fats in your diet, you may start craving foods that are high in fat, like nuts. To make sure you’re getting enough healthy fats, include sources like avocados, olive oil, fish, and nut butter in your diet.

Also, remember that salty foods are not the same as fatty foods.

4 – Not enough protein

protein

Nuts are a great source of protein, which is essential for keeping your energy levels up and your hunger at bay.

If you find yourself craving nuts often it’s likely because you’re not eating enough other sources of protein throughout the day.

Make sure to include plenty of protein in your diet from other sources such as lean meats, fish, and seeds.

Protein helps us feel full and provides our bodies with the amino acids we need to function properly.

So if you’re not getting enough protein in your diet, it’s no wonder you might start craving foods that are high in protein like nuts, or you might start craving cheese which is another food high in protein.

Even though they’re small, nuts pack a powerful nutritional punch. So if you find yourself craving them often, there’s likely a good reason behind it.

Whether you’re trying to combat hunger or missing out on healthy fats, there are ways to work around your craving. And remember, moderation is key!

Too much of anything can be bad for you, even something as healthy as nuts. So snack wisely and enjoy!

Let’s now cover some frequently asked questions and situations!

Craving nuts before your period

What does it mean?

If you find yourself craving nuts before your period, it’s likely because your body is craving more fat. This is due to the fact that during menstruation, womens’ bodies need more fat to help with cramps and other symptoms.

So if you’re craving nuts before your period, try to include them in your diet in moderation. You can also try other sources of healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil, fish, and seeds.

Pregnancy and craving nuts

During pregnancy, it’s common for women to start craving foods they normally wouldn’t eat. This is due to the fact that their bodies are going through so many changes and they need more nutrients than usual.

If you find yourself craving nuts during pregnancy, try to include them in your diet in moderation. You can also try other sources of healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil or yogurt.

Eating too many nuts: Is it bad for you?

Like with anything else, eating too many nuts can be bad for you. This is because they’re high in calories and fat, which can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess.

So if you find yourself craving nuts often, make sure to eat them in moderation. And remember to include other sources of healthy fats, proteins, and fiber in your diet as well.

If you’re curious about the nutrition facts of nuts, then read here.

How can I stop craving nuts?

If you want to stop craving nuts, there are a few things you can do. First, try to include more other sources of healthy fats, proteins, and fiber in your diet. This will help you feel fuller and less likely to crave nuts.

Additionally, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise, as both of these can help reduce cravings. Finally, try to avoid trigger foods that make you crave nuts in the first place.

Trigger foods are different for everyone but they could include sugary snacks or processed foods. If you can identify your trigger foods and avoid them, you’ll be one step closer to conquering your nut craving!

For more info on food cravings for other foods, read here.

Are nuts addictive?

While nuts are a healthy snack, eating too many of them can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

However, this is rarely the case. Nuts are definitely not addictive, overall! Because as you eat the nuts, you get very full and satisfied. While some people may find they have trouble controlling their urges, this is hardly the norm.

If you find yourself craving nuts often, make sure to eat them in moderation and include other sources of healthy fats, proteins, and fiber in your diet. By doing this, you’ll be less likely to crave nuts and more likely to stick to a healthier diet!

Is it healthy to eat a lot of nuts everyday?

There are many benefits to eating nuts everyday. Nuts can help lower HDL cholesterol, and are correlated with a lower risk of heart disease. Additionally, they’re a good source of healthy fats, proteins, and fiber.

Nuts are considered a superfood by many, and if you look at “Blue Zones” the areas in the world where people live the longest, many of them eat nuts daily!

Remember, there’s no need to worry unless you’re eating too many of them or finding it hard to control your urges. Otherwise, enjoy snacking on nuts in moderation!

What deficiency causes nut cravings?

Nut cravings can tell you that you lack the minerals iron and zinc, most commonly.

Vegans very typically have iron deficiency, and nuts are among vegans’ best nutritional sources of essential minerals and vitamin E, as well as iron.

Craving nuts may also indicate a craving for more protein, or even a magnesium deficiency. Heck, your calcium intake could be low if you’re craving nuts too!

Because nuts and seeds are so nutritious, it can be difficult to tell what you’re deficient in based on anecdotal data off the top of your head.

If you find yourself craving nuts often, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor to see if you might be deficient in any minerals or vitamins.

Otherwise, try to include more other sources of healthy fats, proteins, leafy greens, and fiber in your diet. This will help you feel fuller and less likely to crave nuts!

I hope this article helped clear up some questions you had about craving nuts! If you have any tips on how to control cravings or other questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!

About the Author

Jared Levenson is a former binge eating wrestler turned Zen Buddhist Monk, Internal Family Systems counselor and nutrition wellness coach. He's helped hundreds of people through universal meal principles and internal family systems to make peace with food, stop binge eating, and find true health and wholeness.

@jared_levenson

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