You may have been eating more shellfish than usual, or you may have a sudden craving for that sweet, buttery taste.
No matter what the reason is, our cravings are often caused by what our bodies need or don’t have.
We’re going to talk about the science behind why we want certain foods and what those cravings might be telling us about our health.
So, if you’re wondering why you can’t stop thinking about lobster, keep reading to find out!
Have you ever experienced an intense, irresistible urge to eat lobster? If so you’re not alone. Craving lobster and other shellfish is surprisingly common. But what causes these sudden intense urges to eat briny, succulent crustaceans dripping in butter? There’s actually some fascinating science behind shellfish cravings.
Potential Causes of Shellfish Cravings
There are a few potential reasons why your body might be screaming for lobster or shrimp
You’re Deficient in Certain Nutrients
Shellfish are jam-packed with important vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly Here are some of the nutrients found in abundance in shellfish
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Protein – Shellfish provide high-quality, lean protein. Clams, oysters, shrimp, lobster, mussels, etc. are loaded with protein but low in fat and calories.
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Iodine – Shellfish are the best dietary source of iodine, which is needed for proper thyroid function. Your thyroid uses iodine to produce hormones.
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Zinc – Zinc supports immune function and wound healing. Shellfish like oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food.
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Selenium – This mineral protects cells and helps regulate thyroid function. Shellfish are an excellent source.
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Omega-3s – Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA support heart and brain health. Shellfish provide these healthy fats.
If you’re not getting enough of these nutrients from your diet, intense cravings for shellfish could be your body’s way of signaling that it needs a boost in key minerals like iodine, zinc, and selenium or protein.
You’re Stressed Out
Stress takes a toll on the body, and one way it manifests is through intense food cravings. The nutrients in shellfish like protein, omega-3s, selenium, zinc, and iodine all help counterbalance the effects of stress by supporting cognitive function, hormones, mood, and the immune system.
Additionally, shellfish contain high levels of magnesium, which helps promote relaxation, and B-vitamins like B12, folate, and choline that are depleted when you’re stressed. Your hankering for some shrimp or mussels could stem from your stressed-out body and brain calling out for the nutrients it needs to regain balance.
You Have PMS or are Pregnant
Cravings for shrimp, lobster, oysters, and other shellfish are especially common in women before their periods or during pregnancy. Why? Estrogen levels rise and fall during the menstrual cycle and increase dramatically during pregnancy. This affects thyroid function and iodine needs.
Since shellfish are the richest food source of iodine, your body may intensely crave shellfish to help meet increased iodine demand. Your hormones may also drive cravings for shellfish if you’re deficient in omega-3s, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, and other nutrients that help moderate mood swings, anxiety, and other PMS symptoms.
You Have a Platitude for Seafood
Some people are naturally inclined to crave fish and shellfish more frequently, especially those with a genetic variant that makes them more sensitive to the “fishy” tastes and smells.
Research suggests that genetic differences affect our odor and taste receptors, making some people more likely to detect and crave the characteristic seafood flavors. If you nearly always opt for the lobster or shrimp instead of steak or chicken, it could just be in your DNA.
You’re Psychologically Primed
Maybe you just enjoyed an amazing lobster dinner on vacation in Maine, or saw a mouthwatering seafood dish on a cooking show. Now, lobster is all you can think about thanks to the power of association and memory.
Seeing, smelling, tasting, and experiencing shellfish, especially when you felt happy and relaxed, can get lodged in your mind. Your brain then recalls those positive sensations when you need a pick-me-up and transforms it into a craving.
What Does Science Say About Food Cravings?
Your hankering for lobster or shrimp may seem random, but it’s often your body’s way of signaling its nutritional needs. Science shows that food cravings typically serve important biological and psychological purposes. Here’s what researchers have discovered:
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Food cravings usually involve nutrient-dense whole foods like seafood, fruit, chocolate, and salt that provide key vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, magnesium, and more. This suggests your body asks for what it needs.
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Carbohydrate-rich foods are the most commonly craved, likely because carbs increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter that elevates mood. This can help reduce stress.
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Chocolate, a huge craving for many people, contains over 300 compounds including flavanols, theobromine, tryptophan, and magnesium known to boost mood and lower stress.
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Women frequently experience heightened cravings during PMS and pregnancy when nutritional needs are higher, demonstrating food desires are biologically based.
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Food cravings are linked to changes in opioid, dopamine, and serotonin activity in regions of the brain related to reward, pleasure, and emotion regulation. This gives cravings psychological power.
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Memories and sensory cues associated with past enjoyable eating experiences often trigger cravings – a testament to the strong cognitive aspects of food cravings.
So in many cases, intense yearnings for foods like lobster are the body’s way of self-medicating and calling out for needed nourishment or comfort. Paying attention to your cravings offers guidance on what your body may currently need.
Healthy Ways to Satisfy Shellfish Cravings
Giving in to cravings is often seen as taboo, but suppressing them can backfire. Trying to ignore shellfish cravings completely often makes them even more intense. However, mindlessly indulging in butter-drenched lobster every time the urge strikes probably isn’t good for your health – or wallet!
Here are some healthy, sensible strategies to deal with shellfish cravings:
Eat the food you crave – Ignoring cravings altogether can set you up for a binge later. Having a reasonable portion of shellfish you’re craving in a balanced meal can satisfy the urge so it’s no longer distracting. Pay close attention to flavor and textures.
Focus on preparation – Steaming, grilling, baking or broiling shellfish helps bring out its natural flavors. Skip the heavy sauces and enjoy it simply seasoned with lemon, herbs, and spices.
Surround it with vegetables – Pair your shellfish with a salad or roasted, steamed, or grilled veggies like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. This increases nutrients and fiber and prevents overdoing empty calories.
Manage portions – Stick to a palm-sized serving of shellfish or about 3-4 ounces to keep calories in check. Load up on veggie sides to add volume and nutrients.
Substitute similar foods – Get the tastes and textures you crave through fish, beans, eggs, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and other seafood like wild salmon. These provide protein, minerals, and omega-3s.
Consider supplements – If cravings persist, you may be deficient in something like iodine, zinc, selenium, magnesium, or omega-3s. Ask your doctor about testing levels or supplementing.
Reduce stress – Since stress can trigger cravings, relaxing through yoga, meditation, massage, nature walks, etc. helps take the edge off intense urges to eat.
Get enough sleep – Not getting adequate sleep fuels cravings. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to help regulate appetite hormones.
Finding ways to honor cravings through mindful, moderate consumption while exploring the potential emotional or nutritional need behind your urges can help bring shellfish cravings into balance.
The Takeaway: Embrace the Wisdom Of Your Body Through Cravings
Instead of feeling guilty, frustrated, or confused when you suddenly need shrimp or lobster, consider it a message from your body pointing you in the direction of self-care. By paying attention to the timing of cravings, how you feel in those moments, and what’s going on in your life, you can uncover the potential reasons behind your hankering for shellfish.
Rather than resisting these urges, find constructive ways to satisfy them through proper portions, nutrient-dense preparation, seafood swaps, stress management, and lifestyle changes that better support your needs. Cravings offer an opportunity to tune into your body’s innate wisdom. Learning to embrace them and respond thoughtfully can lead you to a healthier, more balanced relationship with food.
Why Am I Craving Lobster?
There are several possible reasons why you might be craving lobster specifically. Your body is probably telling you it needs more protein. There is a lot of lean protein in lobster, which is important for building and repairing body tissues.
Something else that could be making you want lobster is that your body needs more minerals like zinc or iodine. It is possible to get a lot of these minerals from lobster. They help keep your immune system and thyroid working well.
If you’re tired or don’t have much energy, your body may be telling you it needs more iron. Lobster is a good source of iron, which helps to transport oxygen throughout the body and prevent anemia.
If you have bad period symptoms or inflammation, your body may be craving the omega-3 fatty acids that you can find in lobster. These healthy fats can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall heart health.
It’s also possible that your craving for lobster is simply a result of your taste preferences. Many people can’t stay away from lobster’s unique taste and texture, so it’s normal to want it just because you like eating it.
The Science Of Food Cravings
Food cravings are intense desires for a specific type of food. The reasons behind these cravings can be physical or mental. Mentally, food cravings can be caused by emotional or hormonal changes in the body. After eating certain foods, the body releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that reduce stress and pain. These chemicals can cause intense food cravings that are similar to addiction.
Physically, food cravings can be caused by nutrient deficiencies. If you want sweets like cookies and cake all the time, you might have Type II diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome. Alternatively, you could be craving sweets because you’re short on sleep or in need of a serotonin boost. The reasons behind food cravings aren’t always clear.
It has been found that the parts of the brain that control pleasure and memory are also responsible for food cravings. This may explain why emotional eating provides comfort. Hormonal imbalances can also cause food cravings.
Cravings for food usually only last for five minutes, but they can make it hard to stick to a diet. Understanding more about why they happen and how to cope with them can make all the difference.
Jordan Peterson – Lobster lesson “Stand up straight with your shoulders back” (rule 1)
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