You can’t say for sure why you want to eat a certain food at a certain time. Now that you know that, Cravings can be caused by a number of things, such as not getting enough nutrients or meeting certain needs, or by noticing something tasty in the environment, like the smell of freshly baked bread. However, many food cravings are a direct result of restrictive eating or limiting certain foods.
A registered dietitian, Alissa Rumsey, a certified intuitive eating counselor, and author of Unapologetic Eating says that if you cut back on certain foods or food groups, like bread or sugar, your body will eventually go into starvation mode and make you really, really want those foods you’ve been avoiding.
“To your body, food restriction feels like starvation,” Rumsey says. “So even if there is a lot of food around you, your body is set to make you hungry and increase your food cravings.” ”.
Cravings also happen when you frequently ignore hunger cues or wait until youre ravenous before eating. Because your body wants to make sure you have enough energy, if you wait too long to eat, you may feel stronger cravings.
Food cravings aren’t a good way to tell if you have a health problem or aren’t getting enough of something, but eating what you want and understanding why you want it helps your body get what it needs. Consider these factors the next time you just really want THAT food.
You just sat down for lunch, but that turkey sandwich isn’t hitting the spot. What you really want is a big slice of salty, smoky ham. Before you know it you’re elbow-deep in the deli case grabbing a few thick slices of Black Forest ham. But why the sudden ham craving?
Cravings for meat like ham and other animal proteins often come on strongly and feel irresistible. But these urges are trying to tell you something meaningful about the state of your body and mind.
Let’s explore some of the most common reasons you may be craving cured, salty ham along with what you can do about it.
Nutrient Deficiencies Lead to Ham Hunger
One of the top reasons your body may be demanding ham is because you’re lacking certain nutrients abundant in meat,
Ham is loaded with:
- Protein – Necessary for building and repairing muscle, skin, organs and more.
- B Vitamins – Help convert food into energy and maintain healthy skin and nerves.
- Iron – Critical for oxygen transport and energy production.
- Zinc – Boosts immune health and wound healing.
If you’ve been skimping on meat and other protein-rich foods lately, a ham craving could indicate your body is starved for these essential nutrients.
Vegans, vegetarians and people with restricted diets may be especially prone to craving meat due to lack of these dietary building blocks.
Try adding more nuts, beans, lentils, eggs and dairy into your diet to get more of the nutrition your body seeks from ham.
Imbalanced Blood Sugar Levels
Going too long without eating enough protein and healthy fats can cause your blood sugar to rollercoaster.
Your body turns carbohydrates into quick glucose for energy. But without protein and fat to balance it out, your blood sugar spikes then crashes, leaving you feeling irritable, shaky and craving sustenance.
Ham provides steady energy, keeping your blood sugar stable. The protein takes longer to break down while the fat further slows digestion.
If erratic blood sugar is an issue, focus on eating regular, balanced meals with a mix of proteins, smart carbs and healthy fats to maintain steady energy all day.
Stress Relief and Improved Mood
Comfort foods like ham have the power to soothe and boost mood thanks to certain brain chemicals they affect.
Eating ham triggers release of feel-good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain. This gives an instant mood lift when you’re feeling low or stressed.
Ham may also evoke happy memories around celebrating holidays and occasions with family and friends. This nostalgia provides further calming effects when you indulge a ham craving.
While ham can temporarily alleviate stress or sadness, it’s best not to rely too heavily on any one food for mood management. Focus on maintaining emotional wellbeing through proven stress relief, social connection and self-care.
You’re Addicted to Salt
Ham’s sky-high sodium content may be the addictive quality you’re really seeking when a craving strikes.
The average slice of deli ham packs over 400 mg sodium. And for some, sodium can be as habit-forming as sugar or caffeine.
Research suggests salt triggers the release of dopamine in a similar manner to addictive drugs. Over time, you need more and more to get the feel-good hit of salt.
If you suspect you’re overdoing salt, try flavoring food with herbs, spices, citrus and vinegar instead. Gradually decreasing salt intake can help break addiction and reduce health risks of excessive sodium.
Increased Appetite and Fatigue
Have you noticed ham cravings striking at a certain time of day or month? Hormonal fluctuations may be the culprit.
Many women experience insatiable appetite for meat and other foods just before their menstrual period when progesterone levels peak.
Intense fatigue from lack of quality sleep, overexercise or stress can also drive appetite way up. Your body seeks quick energy any way it can get it.
Ride out temporary hormonal or tiredness-related hunger by opting for nutritious snacks over hyper-palatable junk foods. Fill up on protein smoothies, veggies with hummus or Greek yogurt.
You Actually Need Iron and B12
While most meat cravings stem from emotional or psychological roots, there are a few scenarios where they signal a true vitamin deficiency.
If you are prone to iron or vitamin B12 deficiency due to health conditions or dietary restrictions, ham cravings could indicate your body urgently needs these nutrients found abundantly in meat.
Symptoms may include extreme fatigue, pale skin, dizziness, brittle nails and cognitive difficulties along with persistent ham hunger.
Seek medical advice to test your levels if you suspect an iron or B12 deficiency. Your doctor can guide you on the best dietary changes or supplements to correct it.
Honoring Your Body’s Signals
Rather than resisting or feeling guilty about your ham craving, view it as helpful information your body is trying to convey about its current state.
By listening to these signals mindfully, you gain insight into your nutritional needs, energy levels, sources of stress and emotional health.
While ham may sound irresistible in the moment, take time to pause and evaluate what your craving is really telling you. Then you can decide the healthiest way to respond.
Sometimes a slice of hearty ham is exactly what your body begs for. Other times, a mineral-packed veggie bowl or mood-lifting walk may truly be the answer.
With greater self-awareness around your cravings, you can nurture a better balanced, more attuned relationship with food and yourself.
When you want a salty snack
Thirst is often masked as hunger. If you want salt, which helps your body hold on to water, it could mean that you aren’t drinking enough or that you are losing water faster than you are taking it in, like by sweating, having diarrhea, or throwing up.
Many salty foods—like chips, crackers, and pretzels—are crunchy. Eating crunchy foods can help relieve stress, Dr. Colella says.
Your mouth is bored.
Dr. What if your favorite salty foods are also crunchy? It’s possible that your salivary glands and jaw muscles need a little more exercise. Colella.
What Causes Food Cravings?
FAQ
What does it mean if I crave ham?
What am I lacking if I crave meat?
Why am I craving pork?
Why am I craving meat all of a sudden?
Why do I crave meat?
Generally, meat cravings are caused by deficiencies in some of the key nutrients found in red meat. Meat provides several essential vitamins and minerals, and it is a complete source of protein (with all nine essential amino acids). What Does It Mean If You Are Craving Meat? So, what does it mean when you crave meat?
Is ham gluten free?
Ham naturally by itself is gluten-free. Although, many companies made their ham with gluten-containing ingredients like broth, spices, and glazes. So, you must prefer brands that indicate they are gluten-free on the packaging.
What if you have a craving for a certain food?
If you happen to be struck by a craving for a certain food, you likely react by going out and getting that food. And enjoying it, as you should. But since some cravings can be the body’s way of communicating what it needs, it may be a good idea to pay closer attention.
Why do you crave food?
Dr. Greenway explains that your cravings can give you a lot of information about yourself, including important things about your mental and physical health (beyond the fact that you have a major sweet tooth). Sometimes, an individual craves food simply because they’re hungry. Other times, there’s more behind the specific craving.