I certainly think there is some truth in this. The trouble is that many people, myself included, can often not distinguish between possible cravings for something healthy the body needs (e.g. banana for potassium) and hormone-induced cravings (e.g. sweet or salty cravings that happen with the menstrual cycle). There are days of the month that I crave chocolate so badly I can only liken it (no offense to anyone here) to an alcoholic craving booze or addict craving the next fix. I've fought (or given into) such cravings all my adult life. . .

I've wondered about that myself, the food cravings. Very interesting, and great for you to have an A+ check-up. I guess being a Lazypup pays off! I agree with you about cooking at home. Unless one is very careful, most restaurant food is too salty, too much fat.

Thankfully I don't have but a couple and they are not constant. Occasionally for mashed potatoes or candy which I do satisfy. It takes very little candy to stop it.

Congratulations on all the great results and good numbers!

Though I don't watch what I eat very well, by BP, heart rate, cholesterol and sugar numbers have always been really good. I attribute it to good clean, fairly stress free living.

I've often wondered about the association between cravings and the body's needs. My cravings are often for grapefruit, so I figure I might be needing some vitamin C. If I have them on hand, I might eat 3 or 4 at a time.

I believe that to a certain degree and for some cravings. For instance, I get incredible cravings for marinara sauce because I don't eat raw tomatoes. So when I get that craving, I indulge because I know that my body needs the lycopene. Same with greens and black beans.

On the other hand, I would say the vast majority of most people's cravings are for junk food...sugar or salt or fat. Candy, chips, ice cream, etc. I think that's more a taste bud craving then a body craving. :)

I don't crave anything healthy. I do crave potato chips though.
Taste bud craving as chi said, is probably what it is.

My BIL told me if you are hungry all the time, you need more meat/protein. I have been craving peanut butter which I have never done before and I think I am not eating enough meat.

I'd argue you'd be better off with more fiber. :) Humans eat too much meat already. Plant-based protein sources are good though for satiation. Try edamame, tons of protein AND lots of fiber.

It's not like it hasn't been studied before - it has.

Here's a link to an article, which will provide further Google fodder (names of researchers) for anyone interested.

Here is a link that might be useful: link to an article about such studies

I don't get food cravings.

Glad your checkup went well. :)

I happen to agree with you 1,000%, Lazypup...and I hope you'll post any findings that study group may unearth that support "our" theory. Mary c's correct in that it's been studied before but new eyes always seem to add something more to the knowledge pile.

Junk food was never allowed in my childhood home and as a result...I've rarely found any enjoyment in any of it. I've been a "from scratch" cook all my life...much to the chagrin of my late husband who couldn't keep his hands off of junk food...and it's yet to fail me. I've had a few genetically predisposed health problems throughout my years but even those have a more positive response to my "natural" eating/life habits than I think they would have to a pile of pills washed down with a bubbly drink.

I rarely have cravings now but I eat such a varied and balanced diet these days that there's nothing really missing that would create a craving. As a young teen I had a constant craving for liverwurst and organ meats. LOL I was severely anemic and had to get Vitamin B and iron shots on a regular basis. Once the anemia was reversed...my cravings for liverwurst subsided. Oddly enough...although I still love it...I haven't had a desire for it in many a moon. Now it's too fatty for my liking. Perhaps that's why my cholesterol numbers are so good. ;-)

I, too, send my congratulations on your "successes".

Anne

Yes and I completely agree with your philosophy and subscribe it myself. I think it's by design that foods have all different colors, tastes, smells and textures intended to attract you to the nutritional diversity the human body requires. If you listen to your body (and skip the man made/highly processed foods) I don't think you can go wrong.

i have to go and look for some peanut butter now

Middle of the afternoon cravings is when I get them. Been on Frito's pb and crackers lately, but I find if I put a Tic Tac in my mouth it goes away.

I wish I hadn't read this post. Now I'm craving a pfeffernusse. I just bought a box and was going to be so good and not open it. I was out all day and didn't have lunch. That will do it. Now let's see if I can stick to only eating 2. LOL Glad your check up went so well. Even so, do not wait another 25 years before getting checked out again!

georgysmom, want a tic tac? :o)

LOL Glenda. I'm not as disciplined as you. I don't think a tic tac would work! I had four cookies but that's better than the last time, I ate the whole box!! I'm making some cauliflower soup and I hope it' ready real soon so I don't fall off the wagon again. What's keeping me good is the last time when I wanted something to eat the next day, there was nothing here to eat. (snack that is.)

Oh Jasdip - potato chips! Sometimes I think I could live on potato chips and fruit. Now there's a balanced diet!!!

I will try to eat something that I really crave, but it's because if I don't I will eat everything that is in sight. So the lesser of the evils is for me to have a little of whatever it might be I want.

I too think this has been studied already, and I think they found that there was no correlation, at least on a reliable enough basis.

Congratulations on a great check up!

As to giving in to the cravings. YES! I learned a long time ago that if I ate a little of what I started craving, as soon as I started craving it, I didn't go overboard with it. If I try to not give in to it, when I finally do, I eat and eat and eat and eat, whatever I'm craving.

When I crave chocolate really bad, is usually when I get charlie horses in my feet and legs. If I remember to eat something with lots of magnesium, or take a magnesium tablet, I no longer have the charlie horses or the chocolate cravings.

What I hate, is when I am craving something, but can't figure out what it is! That's when I really binge, trying to figure out what I am craving.

Tami

When I was pregnant the thought of most red meats turned my stomach! I couldn't even walk by it in the grocery store. On the other hand, I ate a lot of peanut butter. I think it was my body's way of getting the protein it needed!

I also find that if I eat a good amount of protein, my sugar cravings decrease. Not go away entirely b/c that would be a MIRACLE!!! Damn you halloween candy, damn you!

They have proven this with babies who are allowed to crawl to dishes from several different food groups including things that are not healthy. The babies will vary their diet of choice that is made up of creamed vegetables and fruits etc. Babies instintively make good choices.

We teach them to have cookies and sugary items that we consider treats.

I am not surprised at all that you did so well on your physical. You are always a darn good teacher. Don't understand why you call yourself lazypup at all. Anyway, I am so glad for you.