Have you, out of the blue, felt like craving for the yellow goodness of mustard? While cravings are typical for us humans to feel, they will still make you wonder why it happens. Perhaps there’s a meaning to it, and that you need to do something about it. Now, if what you crave is mustard, you may ask:
Why am I craving mustard? If you’re craving mustard, you likely have one of these three reasons. First, you miss the flavor mustard gives. The second one is that you like a variety of flavors. Lastly, you lack the vitamins and minerals that mustard has. Of course, there are other reasons behind it, and that’s what we’ll tackle further.
In this article, we’ll talk about the things you need to know about mustard, specifically if you crave it. This way, you can understand what it means, or get a sense of why it happens. This information will also be handy if you need to do something about it.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
- Why do I crave mustard?
- Why am I craving mustard all of a sudden?
- Why am I craving mustard all the time?
- How to stop craving mustard?
- What to eat when craving mustard?
- Craving mustard during pregnancy
- Craving mustard before period
- Craving mustard on period
- Craving mustard at night
- Craving mustard when sick
- Can you have a mustard addiction?
- Is craving mustard a sign of pregnancy?
- Can you eat too much mustard?
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
- Resources
Why do I crave mustard?
What does it mean when you are craving mustard? When you are craving mustard, you’ll likely have one or more of these three reasons why.
The delicious taste of mustard attracts you.
People want mustard for a variety of reasons. The most prevalent explanation is a preference for certain foods.
We generally understand that mustard combines savory and spicy flavors in a single mouthful! However, mustard has a unique flavor that is both tangy and delightful!
In general, most people believe that mustard is one of the most excellent condiments for enhancing the flavor of a bland-tasting food.
Without mustard, you may feel as if you’re missing stuff. Although the eggs, beans, and salsa complement each other wonderfully, something is lacking if you got no mustard.
You like to try various flavors.
Most individuals are unaware of their tongue’s craving for diversity. Instead, most of them associate cravings with sugar, hunger, emotional eating, and so forth. Still, you need to know that diversity is also worth considering!
As you can see, we humans evolved to have a varied diet. If an ancient group of people relied on a single food supply that vanished, the tribe would perish.
We evolved to want a wide range of meals because consuming various foods allowed us to adjust when a crop failed. Or when a herd of animals fails to show. Thus, if you eat the same meals every day, they will get boring.
Even if you eat an ideal diet in the world and take every vitamin, even if you eat entirely healthily, you will become bored and need new sensations. For this reason, it may be that you crave mustard because you want to try something new.
You lack vitamins and minerals.
The last reason, probably most likely, is that you lack the vitamins and minerals that mustard gives. Thus, it’s more like a response of your body to give you a hint that you need mustard or similar things that offer the same nutrients.
If you have an intense craving for mustard, you are most likely deficient in at least one of the vitamins and minerals contained in mustard.
- Calcium
- Thiamine
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Potassium
Of course, you might be low in all of these nutrients as well! But, on the other hand, it might assist in explaining the potency of your mustard cravings. Calcium is an essential element that helps to maintain the health of your bones and teeth.
Thiamine is an essential component that aids in preventing nervous system disorders. It is also involved in regulating electrolyte levels and cell membrane penetration levels, both of which are necessary for muscular contraction and nerve impulses. In addition, manganese is essential for energy generation and bone health.
Selenium is a vital antioxidant that aids in the fight against free radicals and the maintenance of a healthy inflammatory response. Selenium also increases thyroid functioning of the body, which aids immunological function. In addition, potassium is beneficial to the heart and aids in blood pressure regulation.
People, in general, want what they lack. It’s one of the reasons why a magnesium deficiency may lead to a chocolate addiction! The same is true for mustard and the nutrients listed above (especially calcium).
Why am I craving mustard all of a sudden?
If you are craving mustard all of a sudden, you likely have a deficiency in vitamins and minerals you can get in mustard. Or, you can also be simply missing the flavor and taste if you haven’t had mustard for a long while.
The nutrients you’ll likely get in mustard are Calcium, Thiamine, Manganese, Selenium, and Potassium. But, of course, you might be low in all of these nutrients as well! So it might assist in explaining the potency of your mustard cravings.
Why am I craving mustard all the time?
If you are craving mustard all the time, you likely lack the nutrients found in mustard. Or, it can also happen that you find its flavor savory and satisfying to your taste.
In most cases, people crave mustard since their body hints that they need calcium, which mustard offers. But, if you think so, you can try other food as an alternative to mustard.
Green vegetables like broccoli and kale, lentils, and dairy items like cheese also help meet this nutritional need.
How to stop craving mustard?
If you want to stop craving mustard, one of the things you can do is eat other food as an alternative to mustard. In most cases, you’ll have a better shot if you eat food with the exact nutrients you get from mustard.
One possible explanation is that you may not have sufficient calcium. However, mustard is a medicinal herb rather than a spice. In addition to being high in calcium, mustard can aid reduce toothaches.
This calcium need may be met by eating green vegetables (kale, broccoli) or dairy products (cheese). If you suspect a deficit, pay special attention because this might develop into osteoporosis (holes in bones).
Calcium is produced in our bodies by bone. That is what gives bones their strength and sturdiness. When we don’t get enough calcium, our bodies extract calcium from our bones, causing us to require more than we can make. After a period, the bone becomes porous and is no longer strong enough to support your weight, putting you in danger of falling.
Calcium can also be obtained through almonds, salmon, drinking less coffee, and sesame seeds.
What to eat when craving mustard?
If you’re craving mustard, you should eat food with similar nutrients that mustard has. In most cases, it should be calcium-rich food.
The great thing is that you can find other alternatives to mustard for calcium deficiency. For example, this need for calcium can be reached by consuming green vegetables (kale, broccoli) or dairy products (cheese).
If you suspect a deficiency, pay close care since it might lead to osteoporosis (holes in bones). Or, you can eat some mustard if you like it.
Craving mustard during pregnancy
Why are you craving mustard when pregnant? You are likely craving mustard when pregnant because you need more calcium than usual, and it’s something you’ll get from mustard.
When pregnant, your body needs a higher amount of calcium. If not, the bones will provide calcium for your baby. Such a loss of calcium will only happen after you stop breastfeeding.
For this reason, it’s a bad thing to disregard your craving for mustard since your body asks for calcium. If it continues, the lack of calcium may not do anything good to your body.
Thus, you need to eat mustard or other calcium-rich food as an alternative. Such consumption is essential to maintain the strength of your bones while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Craving mustard before period
Why are you craving mustard before your period? If you are craving mustard before period, it can mean that your body is hinting that you need calcium. In general, calcium is proven to work well in reducing menstrual pain. While it won’t relieve you from pain, it helps in reducing the intensity.
Thus, if you think you’re about to have your period and you crave mustard, it may be an intelligent move to eat some mustard or other calcium-rich food.
Craving mustard on period
Why are you craving mustard when you are on your period? If you are craving mustard on period, it’s likely because your body has low calcium and that you need to get some. As mentioned earlier, calcium works well in lessening the pain caused by your menstrual period.
Although the calcium won’t take out the pain, it helps in reducing the intensity. So, if you have menstrual cramps while craving mustard, you’ll likely find it ideal for eating some.
Craving mustard at night
Why are you craving mustard at night? If you are craving mustard at night, it may be because you need some vitamins and minerals, and your body responds to it. Or, it may probably be because you miss eating and enjoying the flavor of mustard.
The best thing to do is eat some mustard, or at least eat something with the same nutrients that mustard offers. This way, you can know if you lack some nutrients or if you’re craving the flavor of mustard.
Craving mustard when sick
Why are you craving mustard when you are sick? If you are craving mustard when sick, it’s likely because you lack one or most of the nutrients you’ll get from mustard. Thus, your body responds in the form of a craving for it.
If you’re feeling sick and have the urge to consume mustard, it must be because of deficiency.
Thus, your best response is to get some mustard, or at least eat some alternatives that have the same nutrients as mustard. It may also be a way to relieve yourself from feeling sick.
Can you have a mustard addiction?
A mustard addiction is not likely to happen. However, it may be if you’re eating mustard more often than you usually do. While mustard is typically safe to consume in a modest amount, overeating can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
However, these symptoms are generally only present if you aren’t used to eating them daily (or at all).
If you’re new to mustard, use tiny amounts of fresh powdered mustard to avoid unpleasant effects. Usually, just enough to keep your dish from tasting bland.
Is craving mustard a sign of pregnancy?
No, craving mustard isn’t likely a sign of pregnancy. In most cases, you crave a specific food from time to time because you either miss the flavor, want to try it for the first time, or lack the nutrients it gives.
Further, pregnancy cravings include more common foods like sweet, spicy, and salty foods. But, of course, while that includes mustard in some points, this condiment is rarely excluded from the list.
Can you eat too much mustard?
Yes, you can overeat mustard. Although mustard is generally safe to ingest in small amounts, consuming too much might result in diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
These symptoms, however, are usually only present if you aren’t used to consuming them daily (or at all).
If you’re new to mustard, use tiny amounts of fresh powdered mustard to minimize adverse effects. Typically, just enough to prevent your food from tasting dull.
Frequently asked questions
Now, let’s answer some of the frequently asked questions regarding mustard and its cravings.
What does craving mustard mean emotionally?
Craving for mustard doesn’t always mean it’s an emotional craving. However, it doesn’t mean it’s not possible. When you crave mustard, it can still be an emotional craving.
The best way to understand such a craving is to look at it as a form of self-medication. For example, you probably crave mustard in this craving mainly because you enjoy it and haven’t had some for a while. Also, treating this craving may help you alleviate your mood or, in simple terms, make you happy.
What deficiency causes you to crave mustard?
In most cases, deficiency is one of the main reasons you crave mustard. Now, you need to know what nutrients mustard offers to understand what you lack.
If you have an intense desire for mustard, you probably lack at least one of the essential nutrients found in mustard.
- Calcium
- Thiamine
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Potassium
Of course, you might be deficient in all of these nutrients as well! It may help to explain the intensity of your mustard cravings. Calcium is a vital mineral that aids in the health of your bones and teeth.
Why am I craving mustard and pickles?
If you’re craving mustard and pickles, it’s probably because your body hints that you need sodium.
Pickles are rich in sodium (salt is present in the brine as the preserving element—and, of course, it makes pickles extra yummy).
Sodium is also a vital electrolyte. These minerals aid in the hydration of your body. So if you’re seeking something salty, it might be because your body is dehydrated.
Why do I crave yellow mustard?
In general, you may crave yellow mustard simply because you need to try something new or you haven’t had one for a while. Our yearning for variety is hardwired into our DNA.
So, when we try something new, like fiery mustard or sweet honey-mustard dressing, our brain releases dopamine, which generates pleasurable feelings and makes us want more.
Why do I crave vinegar and mustard?
You may crave vinegar and mustard. It’s likely because you have a low stomach acid. Vinegar is an acidic food, and so your body may crave it along with mustard if you have a low stomach acid.
Thus, if you frequently want acidic meals, you may be deficient in stomach acid. Strong stomach acid is your body’s primary line of protection, serving to sterilize food, clean the stomach, and wear down meals (mainly proteins).
Summary
If you’ve ever wondered why you crave mustard, or if you’ve ever fantasized about eating a whole jar of mustard in one sitting, we have an answer for it.
If you want mustard, it’s probably for one of three reasons. First, you miss the taste that mustard provides. The second is that you like a wide range of flavors. Finally, you lack the vitamins and minerals found in mustard. Of course, there are other reasons behind it, which we will discuss more.
Related:
Resources
Image credits – Canva
