Milk is one of the most popular drinks we consume every day. In fact, it’s almost part of everyone’s diet since we’re infants. Thus, you can find many reasons if you suddenly have the urge to drink some. Still, you may ask:
Why am I craving milk? In general, you may be craving milk for several reasons. It can be that you’re hungry, thirsty, or even if you want to enjoy some sweet sugary goodness. Still, it can also be because you’re used to having milk since it’s comfort food, or you lack the vitamins and minerals it offers.
If you’re craving milk, you can get several reasons as to why. Thus, knowing all these reasons may help you identify what causes your cravings. You can also understand how to deal with what you feel once you have done this step.
In this article, we’ll give you all the common reasons why you would crave milk. This way, you can see each reason and test yourself if it’s why you crave such a beverage. This article will also give you ways to deal with your craving to maintain a healthy condition despite your cravings.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
- Why do I crave milk?
- Why am I craving milk all of a sudden?
- Why am I craving milk all the time?
- How to stop craving milk?
- What to eat when craving milk?
- Craving milk during pregnancy
- Craving milk before period
- Craving milk on period
- Craving milk at night
- Craving milk when sick
- Can you have a milk addiction?
- Is craving milk a sign of pregnancy?
- Can you drink too much milk?
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
- Resources
Why do I crave milk?
What does it mean when you are craving milk? If you crave milk, you can have several reasons why. It can be that you’re hungry or thirsty or lack the nutrients you can get from milk. Whatever that reason is, knowing such would give you an idea of how to respond to your craving.
Let’s understand each of the common reasons further.
Hunger
If your stomach grumbles, milk is a simple method to satisfy your appetite. It contains a lot of protein and fat. A cup of milk contains around 8 grams of protein and up to 7 grams of fat. Milk may drive you to want it since it makes you feel complete and comfy.
Instead, satisfy your hunger with satisfying meals produced from natural ingredients. For example, grilled chicken or salmon, quinoa, almonds, seeds, beans, and avocados are high in fiber, protein, and fat.
Thirst
Milk contains around 87 percent water. It is why a large glass of chilled milk is an excellent thirst quencher. But, of course, you could be thirsty if you desire milk.
Instead, drink a glass of water to stay hydrated. Alternatively, you may “eat” your water by grabbing a piece of fruit. Water makes up to 89 percent of the weight of apples, melons, oranges, and other fruits.
Fruit and milk have equal carbohydrate contents, but the fruit has fiber, delaying absorption and increasing satiety. In addition, fruit, unlike milk, includes antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Sugar
Your body may be desiring carbs or sweets rather than milk. A 1% fat milk cup contains roughly 13 grams of sugar, often known as simple carbs. Lactose is a kind of natural sugar. It imparts a moderately sweet flavor to the milk.
Further, lactose is also referred to as milk sugar. Lactose levels in milk can reach up to 8%.
Lactose is processed in the body into glucose, an essential sugar. Glucose is the primary energy source for all organs, including the brain. This essential carbohydrate also aids in the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut, notably Bifidobacterium, and can promote the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids.
Maintain sugar cravings at bay by substituting alternative healthy carb sources for milk sugars. Some examples include sweet potatoes, oats, and fruit. You may also try these 19 sugar-fighting foods.
Comfort
You may be desiring milk because you are experiencing mild withdrawal symptoms. But it’s not only in your brain. According to research, meals with a mix of fats and sweets activate reward areas in the brain. Thus, milk may be a “comfort meal” for you.
Lactose, or milk sugar, is only approximately 20% as sweet as cane sugar, yet it can still satisfy sugar cravings. Milk is a rich source of natural fats as well. It may also help to clarify why milk products, such as ice cream, are popular emotional eating items. Meanwhile, try these better comfort food alternatives.
Nutrient deficiency
Milk is a complete food since it contains 18 of the 22 essential vitamins and minerals. These vital elements, including vitamin A, vitamin B-12, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, are not produced by the body and must be obtained through diet.
Cravings for milk may indicate that you are deficient in some of these nutrients. Plan your meals using a weekly food diary and consult with a licensed dietitian nutritionist to ensure you’re eating a well-balanced diet regularly.
Part of routine
When you eat or drink the same item every day, your body and brain become accustomed to it. It is a behavior that becomes habitual, and you may find yourself walking over to the refrigerator even if you aren’t hungry or thirsty.
The good thing is that such cravings are generally just three to five minutes long. Distract yourself and wait for the urge to pass. Alternatively, you can stock up on healthier or more desired options such as plant-based milk, sparkling water, or tea. When you have a milk need, seek your substitute.
Spice relief
If you’ve just bitten into a jalapeno or chili pepper, you should drink milk instead of water. Capsaicin is responsible for the hot or burning feeling associated with spicy meals. Also, because milk includes lipids, it helps put out fires better than water and other liquids.
Instead, satisfy your hunger with satisfying meals produced from natural ingredients. For example, grilled chicken or salmon, quinoa, almonds, seeds, beans, and avocados are high in fiber, protein, and fat.
To avoid milk cravings, reduce your intake of hot meals. Natural fats can also be found in nut milk. After a spicy dinner, a slurp of almond, coconut, flax, or cashew milk might help chill your tongue.
Why am I craving milk all of a sudden?
If you’re craving milk all of a sudden, it may be due to nutrient deficiency. In general, our body needs some essential vitamins and minerals from food since our bodies don’t produce them.
As such, you can be craving milk because you lack these vitamins and minerals. Among the common deficiencies that cause milk craving are vitamins A and B-12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.
Why am I craving milk all the time?
If you’re craving milk all the time, it may be because your diet doesn’t give you the essential nutrients it needs. For instance, since milk has some nutrients, your body may hint that you need such by giving you a craving.
How to stop craving milk?
If you want to stop craving milk, you need to get the nutrients and feel from consuming milk. For instance, you need to stay hydrated to avoid thirst and eat food to avoid hunger.
Once these two are settled, you need to ensure the nutrients you get from food suffices for your body’s needs. This way, you can ensure that all the things you get from milk are already in your body.
Now, let’s understand what alternatives you can eat if you crave milk.
What to eat when craving milk?
If you’re craving milk and you want to eat other things, you should first know why you crave milk.
For instance, if you’re thirsty, you need some water-rich foods. You may also be craving the sugars from milk, so you need to eat sugar-rich foods. Lastly, you may be looking for the vitamins and minerals from milk, and so you need to consume healthy food, for that matter.
Water accounts for around 89 percent of the weight of apples, melons, oranges, and other fruits. Fruit and milk have the same carbohydrates, but the fruit has fiber, which slows absorption and improves satiety. In addition, fruit, instead of milk, contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
By replacing alternate healthy food sources for milk sugars, you can keep sugar cravings at bay. Examples include whole-grain bread, oats, sweet potatoes, and fruit. You might also want to try these 19 sugar-fighting foods.
Craving milk during pregnancy
Why are you craving milk when pregnant? If you’re craving milk when pregnant, it’s because your body hints that you need calcium and other nutrients from milk.
Calcium has been shown to alleviate cramping, bloating, and water retention. Calcium is found in high dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
In short, it’s a sign for you to follow your cravings. Ignoring such may lead you to calcium deficiency, which may also affect your pregnancy in the long run. Thus, you can drink milk or get some other calcium-rich alternatives.
Craving milk before period
Why are you craving milk before your period? If you’re craving milk before period, it’s probably because your body signals that you need the nutrients from milk. In most cases, it wants calcium from milk.
In general, calcium proves to help reduce menstrual cramps and helps you in reducing bloatedness from your period. Thus, it can be a great idea to follow your cravings if you think you’re about to have your menstrual period.
Craving milk on period
Why are you craving milk when you are on your period? If you’re craving milk on a period, it’s because you lack some nutrients you can get from milk, especially calcium. Since calcium helps alleviate cramp pains, you can benefit from following your craving.
As always, make sure not to overdo when you follow your cravings. Still, a good amount of milk for your period may help rather than ignoring your cravings.
Craving milk at night
Why are you craving milk at night? If you’re craving milk at night, it may be due to routine, or your body asks for its nutrients.
When you consume the same food or drink daily, your body and brain get accustomed to it. It is a regular activity, and you may find yourself going to the refrigerator even if you aren’t hungry or thirsty.
The good news is that most food cravings last about three to five minutes. Distract yourself as you wait for the impulse to go away. Alternatively, stock up on healthier or more desirable alternatives like plant-based milk, sparkling water, or tea. When you need milk, look for an alternative.
Craving milk when sick
Why are you craving milk when you are sick? If you’re craving milk when sick, it means you’re lacking in vitamins and minerals that milk offers.
These vital elements, including vitamin A, vitamin B-12, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, are not produced by the body and must be obtained through diet. A desire for milk might indicate that you are deficient in some of these nutrients.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to follow your cravings or get some alternative food if you don’t want to drink milk.
Can you have a milk addiction?
Milk addiction is not likely to happen to you. However, if you feel the urge to drink more milk than usual, it can also happen. Although milk is a healthy drink with loads of nutrients, you won’t do well if you drink too much.
In general, a glass of milk a day should be enough, and don’t drink more. Such an amount will give you the proper nutrients from milk. However, don’t drink more, as it may also affect your digestion and overall health.
Is craving milk a sign of pregnancy?
Although it’s a common craving for pregnant women, milk cravings don’t prove that you are pregnant. Still, a craving for milk may be due to deficiency or need for more calcium from your pregnancy. Thus, in a way, you can tell that it’s a common sign of pregnancy. But, to be sure, you should visit a physician or test yourself.
Can you drink too much milk?
Yes, you can drink too much milk, and it’s not a healthy thing to do. Milk is nutritious and beneficial, but drinking too much milk in a day does not improve health. Excessive consumption of anything, even something as wholesome as milk, is dangerous.
According to a Swedish study, consuming too much milk in one day is associated with mortality and increased fracture risk. For this reason, do your best to control your milk consumption.
Frequently asked questions
Now, let’s answer some other questions related to this matter. You probably have one or two questions below in your mind that need answers.
What does craving milk mean emotionally?
It’s difficult to tell if a milk craving means an emotional response. Still, the milk’s soothing effect on the body can be a valid reason to make someone crave it. In short, it can be an emotional craving, and so you need to keep it in check.
What deficiency causes you to crave milk?
As mentioned earlier, a milk craving can signify nutrient deficiency. Among the vitamins and minerals, you can get from milk are vitamin A, vitamin B-12, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Thus, a milk craving can be a deficiency of one or more of these nutrients.
Why am I craving dairy products in general?
If you’re craving dairy products, it can be due to their taste or the nutrients it gives. However, it can be due to a lack of calcium in your body in most cases. For this reason, you may want to follow your craving, but keep your milk consumption in moderation. This way, you can make sure that you keep a healthy body without overdoing your milk consumption.
Why am I craving milk when I hate it?
If you hate milk and you still crave it, it’s probably because your body seeks variety or because you lack the vitamins and minerals from milk. On the other hand, if you don’t drink milk, your body and mind may be curious about the milk’s taste.
On the other hand, you may be deficient in the nutrients of milk, and your body seeks such. So if you don’t want to taste milk, you can get other alternatives to compensate for it.
Craving milk after drinking alcohol
If you crave milk after drinking alcohol, it’s because you’re thirsty or lack the vitamins and minerals from milk. Also, since dairy products don’t blend well with alcohol, your body may get affected if you follow your craving. Thus, it would be best to find other milk alternatives.
Summary
In a nutshell, you may be craving milk for several reasons. It might be that you’re hungry, thirsty, or want to indulge in some sweet sugary delight. Still, it might be because you’re accustomed to drinking milk as a comfort meal, or you miss the vitamins and minerals it provides.
There are various reasons why you may be desiring milk. Knowing all of these factors may assist you in determining what is causing your desires. We hope the article helped you get an insight or two about this matter.
Related:
Resources
Image credits – Canva
