Why Am I Craving Cornstarch? [And What to Do? Explained!]

Cornstarch is a popular ingredient in cooking that thickens sauces and soups. It’s also popular in baking and other recipes. However, it’s weird to hear people crave such since it’s bland and flavorless on its own. Thus, you may ask:

Why am I craving cornstarch? If you crave cornstarch, you probably have pica, an eating disorder that occurs when you crave something other than food. The disorder can be a symptom of an underlying disease, but nutritional deficiencies often cause it. In cases like this, you should seek professional assistance.

A cornstarch craving is a rare occurrence, but it does happen to some people. Additionally, if you give in to a craving without understanding it, you put yourself at risk. To put it simply, you need to know why you crave cornstarch. That way, you can control it without jeopardizing your health.

The purpose of this article is to tell you everything you need to know about cornstarch cravings and how to deal with them. By doing so, you can prevent further complications and avoid taking the risk of eating cornstarch.

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Craving CornstarchPin

Why do I crave cornstarch?

What does it mean when you are craving cornstarch? You probably have an underlying illness or health condition when you crave cornstarch. You should not disregard the possibility of such events, and you should pay attention to what you can do to avoid them.

Here’s what we found!

Pica

Cornstarch cravings are sometimes caused by pica, an eating disorder in which people crave items that aren’t food. In other words, if you suddenly crave cornstarch, you may have this disorder.

People with pica sometimes crave other items aside from cornstarch. Additionally, you can crave pebbles, ash, cloth, clay, paper, hair, and chalk.

People can get this disorder, although it is rarely diagnosed in children since they eat things.

Pica is also a symptom of other disorders such as trichotillomania or schizophrenia, but it is a distinct condition.

It’s unclear what causes pica, although experts believe it responds to nutrient deficiency, and we’ll discuss that next.

Nutrient Deficiency

Cornstarch cravings can sometimes be caused by a lack of minerals in the body. Since cornstarch contains different minerals, your body may crave cornstarch if you suffer from a deficiency.

As a result, you need to examine your current diet and see if any of the food you consume provides you with enough minerals and nutrients.

To prevent or stop further cornstarch cravings, you should take some supplements to compensate for it or have a nutritious and healthy diet.

Anemia

Although you may crave cornstarch if you suffer from anemia, eating cornstarch won’t improve your symptoms. You should consult your doctor and check your blood to determine which nutritional supplements you need.

Cornstarch in your stomach may bind to iron, zinc, and other nutrients, impairing your ability to digest nutrients if you practice geophagy. In other words, eating cornstarch may increase your risk of anemia.

Because of this, you should avoid eating cornstarch and replace it with other food alternatives to satisfy your craving.

Why am I craving cornstarch all of a sudden?

A nutrient deficiency causes you to crave cornstarch all of a sudden. For example, a person with pica may crave cornstarch due to nutrient deficiency or underlying health issues.

Finding an alternative to cornstarch is the best thing to do in this case. Also, you should take a mineral supplement to ensure that you are getting the right minerals for your body. It should suffice to keep you from craving cornstarch further.

If you still crave cornstarch after trying all of these measures, you should consult an expert or diagnose yourself if you suffer from any illness.

Why am I craving cornstarch all the time?

Likely, you’re not getting enough minerals if you crave cornstarch all the time. In most cases, cornstarch is required to provide iron and other minerals.

While most cravings will disappear once they are satisfied, you cannot do this with cornstarch since it can cause more health risks.

Finding food alternatives to cornstarch is the best course of action. Furthermore, you may want to eat something nutritious and rich in minerals to prevent further cornstarch cravings.

How to stop craving cornstarch?

The best way to stop craving cornstarch is to consume foods with similar color and texture to cornstarch. For example, you can chew on cookies, cereal, or crackers. Also, you need to get food rich in minerals to stop craving cornstarch.

Another thing you can do is to tell someone you trust so they can help you avoid eating cornstarch, especially if you’re struggling with your cravings. Lastly, you can consult an expert’s help if you think you need such.

What to eat when craving cornstarch?

You can eat some bread instead of cornstarch if you want to stop craving it. You can, for instance, grind some cookies or other kinds of flour-based food with you and eat them.

As long as you can, keep replacing your cornstarch with cookies. Moreover, you may want to take some vitamins and minerals along with your food alternative.

If you do this, you will get the proper amount of nutrients that will prevent you from craving cornstarch later in life.

Craving cornstarch during pregnancy

Why are you craving cornstarch when pregnant? When you crave cornstarch during pregnancy, you probably need the iron or minerals you can find in cornstarch.

Pregnant women sometimes crave cornstarch, and it’s often the kind of craving that comes with pregnancy.

Some experts claim these cravings result from iron deficiency, while others suggest it is a response of the immune system to the changes during pregnancy. 

To ensure you get the right amount of minerals, you would be well advised to take mineral supplements.

Furthermore, you should avoid cornstarch since it contains several health risks and complications.

Craving cornstarch before period

Why are you craving cornstarch before your period? You might crave cornstarch before period because you need more iron. The cravings for cornstarch may be a side effect of iron deficiency in people with heavy periods. 

In this case, you must take iron supplements to cope with your period. Additionally, this will prevent you from craving cornstarch in the future.

As always, the key to consuming any food is in moderation. But, of course, you can always have a taste of corn tortilla or some other alternatives to cornstarch. 

The only thing you need to make sure of is a balanced diet to help you through your period.

Craving cornstarch on period

Why are you craving cornstarch when you are on your period? During your menstrual cycle, you might crave cornstarch to get more iron. In addition, women with heavy periods may experience cornstarch cravings due to iron deficiency. 

If this is the case, you will need iron supplements to get through your period. In addition, you will no longer crave cornstarch.

Whenever you consume any food, moderation is key. Of course, you can always substitute cornstarch with corn tortillas or some other alternative. 

You only need to ensure that you consume a balanced diet to get through your period.

Craving cornstarch at night

Why are you craving cornstarch at night? When craving cornstarch at night, you are probably anemic and need more iron and other minerals. 

If that is the case, you may benefit from eating other food alternatives such as bread or cookies, along with mineral supplements.

As a result, you can satisfy your cravings with food that has a similar texture while obtaining the nutrients you need from your supplements.

Craving cornstarch when sick

Why are you craving cornstarch when you are sick? When you’re sick, you probably need more minerals to cope with your illness.

Pica cravings are eating disorders in which people crave and eat non-food items, usually cornstarch. Some anemic people also eat cornstaIf you’re anemic, you may crave cornstarch because you’re anemic.

It’s best to take minerals or eat foods rich in minerals and other similar foods, such as bread or cookies.

Can you have a cornstarch addiction?

Although it isn’t likely for anyone to have a cornstarch addiction, it can still occur if you don’t do something about your cornstarch craving.

It is best to eat some bread or cookies since cornstarch has a similar texture and color. However, you also need to supplement your diet if you are experiencing nutrient deficiencies.

Is craving cornstarch a sign of pregnancy?

The craving for cornstarch and dirt is common among pregnant women. Unfortunately, there has yet to be an apparent reason for this. 

Iron deficiency may cause Pica cravings. Another theory suggests that these cravings are caused by changes in the immune system during pregnancy.

Cornstarch cravings can occur during pregnancy, but they are not sure of pregnancy since they can happen to anyone.

Can you eat too much cornstarch?

It is possible to eat too much cornstarch, which is not recommended. Consuming cornstarch can lead to health problems because it is high in calories and carbohydrates. 

Moreover, cornstarch contains a lot of potassium, leading to high blood potassium and increasing your risk of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrests.

The short answer is that you shouldn’t eat cornstarch at all costs because it can cause several health problems and complications.

Frequently asked questions

Now, let’s answer some of the frequently asked questions that you may also wonder about regarding your cornstarch cravings. The answers below may come in handy if you ever crave cornstarch again.

What does craving cornstarch mean emotionally?

Cravings for cornstarch are not always linked to emotional needs. Nevertheless, it is essential to keep this possibility in mind. It is because cravings for cornstarch are still susceptible to emotional triggers.

Understanding such a need can be viewed as a form of self-medication. For example, you might crave cornstarch if you see others eating it around you. Furthermore, satisfying this need makes you feel good or, in other words, makes you happy.

What deficiency causes you to crave cornstarch?

The most common cause of cornstarch cravings is mineral deficiency. Anemia or iron deficiency anemia are most likely the causes of your symptoms.

Cornstarch may not benefit you if you suffer from iron deficiency anemia. While cornstarch contains small amounts of minerals and nutrients, getting them into your body is not recommended.

What will eating cornstarch do to your body?

Even though cornstarch is still consumable, unlike non-food items, it is still packed with calories and carbs and minimal nutrients. 

Cornstarch tends to be high in calories and carbs but low in essential nutrients. In addition to this, it can harm your health, especially your heart health.

If you give in to your cravings, you won’t benefit from it and may even end up putting your health at risk.

To compensate for your cravings, you need to find alternative sources of cornstarch and take nutritional supplements.

Why do females eat cornstarch?

Cornstarch craving is sometimes caused by an eating disorder called pica, and if it happens to you, you should address it as soon as possible.

It is usually caused by a medical condition called pica that someone eats cornstarch straight out of the box. It causes a craving for cornstarch, flour, or paste. It is often caused by a zinc or iron deficiency.

Simply put, you need to change your diet or add something that is an excellent source of zinc and iron. Taking a supplement will be a good choice if you have difficulty picking such foods.

Summary

It is important to note that several health-related conditions can cause cornstarch cravings. A taste for cornstarch indicates an eating disorder called pica when you crave something other than food. 

Many conditions can cause this disorder, but nutritional deficiencies usually cause it. Whenever you are in a situation like this, seeking help is always the best course.

A cornstarch craving is rare, even though some people experience it. Additionally, if you give into it without understanding it, you put yourself at risk. 

In other words, you must understand why you crave certain foods. Only then will you be able to overcome them without harming your health.

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Image credits – Canva

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