53. 1. Craving Salt: What Your Constant Desire for Salty Foods Could Mean

What it Means Craving salt and salty foods is a common food craving. However, excessive salt intake can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health issues. In addition, it could be a sign of poor gut health if you’re constantly reaching for salty snacks, such as chips and crackers. When our gut microbiome is imbalanced, it can affect our body’s ability to regulate sodium levels, leading to an increased desire for salt. Try incorporating more whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, into your diet to combat this. Additionally, reducing your intake of processed and packaged foods can help balance your gut microbiome, reducing your salt cravings.

2. Sugar Cravings: How to Combat Them Naturally

A Common Sign of Poor Gut Health Sweet cravings is common food cravings, especially at night. Craving sweet foods like desserts and candy can indicate poor gut health. An overgrowth of harmful bacteria can cause sugar cravings in the gut, which feed on sugar and release chemicals that signal the brain to crave more sugar. Reducing sugar intake and eating more fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables and fruits, is essential to reduce sugar cravings. Eating foods high in healthy fats and proteins can also help balance your gut microbiome and reduce sugar cravings.

3. Craving Milk and Cheese?

Cravings for dairy products, such as milk and cheese, are also common food cravings. However, these cravings can be a sign of poor gut health. Some people find dairy products challenging to digest, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut. 

Many dairy products, including “standard” cow milk, contain a protein called A1 beta-casein, which is difficult for some people to digest. In addition, A1 beta-casein can lead to inflammation in the gut, which can cause food intolerances and sensitivities.

On the other hand, A2 beta-casein, a different type of protein found in milk, is easier for many people to digest and is less likely to cause inflammation in the gut. 

A2 beta-casein is found in buffalo, goats, and sheep in European countries such as Italy and Greece. Look for feta, chevre, and bufallo mozarello from Italy and Greece. Some cows produce A2 milk, and many supermarkets now stock A2 milk. Australia now has a thriving A2 milk industry.

4. Are you craving Carbs all the time?

Additionally, carbs and carbs, such as bread and pasta, can cause an imbalance in gut bacteria, leading to an increased desire for these foods. Try eliminating processed carbohydrates from your diet to combat these cravings. Instead, focus on whole, fiber-rich foods to help balance your gut microbiome.

5. Craving Orange Juice 

While orange juice can be a healthy source of vitamin C, too much can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut. Why? Orange juice is high in sugar and can cause an unhealthy spike in blood sugar levels. Moreover, orange juice contains lectins, which are plant proteins that can harm some people with preexisting gut issues. Therefore, I avoid orange juice and consume lower-sugar fruits such as berries, green apples, and kiwis. 

6. Craving meat

A craving for meat can indicate an iron deficiency, affecting gut health. To reduce these cravings, try incorporating more whole foods into your diet, such as leafy greens and lean proteins. When it comes to meat, look for 100% grass fed meat or wild game. 

7. Craving ice cream

Ice cream cravings can be caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut, while an egg craving can be a sign of a protein deficiency. 

8. Craving tomatoes

Many people find themselves craving tomatoes or recipes with a rich tomato flavor. There’s no doubt tomatoes are delicious and versatile cooking ingredients. But tomatoes contain a type of lectin called agglutinin. Lectins are proteins that can cause inflammation and damage to the gut lining in some people, leading to, or adding to, various health issues, including autoimmune diseases. Agglutinin can bind to the lining of the digestive tract and interfere with the absorption of nutrients. 

However, pressure-cooking tomatoes can reduce the lectin content, making them easier to digest and removing the seeds and skin of tomatoes, as these parts contain a higher concentration of lectins. 

While tomatoes can be a healthy food choice due to their high content of vitamins and antioxidants, they may not be suitable for everyone. They may be best consumed with care and in moderation by those with gut issues or food sensitivities.

Tomato cravings can indicate an iron deficiency, affecting gut health. Try incorporating more wholesome, nutrient-rich foods into your diet to combat these cravings.

9. Craving eggs

If you’re craving eggs, it may be best to opt for pastured or omega-3-enriched eggs. These eggs come from chickens raised on a natural diet and have access to the outdoors. As a result, the eggs have a higher nutritional value, including more healthy fats and fewer harmful antibiotics and hormones found in conventionally raised eggs. 

In addition, pastured and omega-3-enriched eggs may be less likely to cause inflammation and other health issues.

It’s also important to note that while eggs can be a healthy part of your diet, some may be sensitive to them. So if you experience digestive issues or other symptoms after eating eggs, it is worth experimenting with reducing or eliminating them from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.