Why You Keep Craving Beans And What Your Body Is Trying To Tell You

Why You Can't Stop Craving Beans Lately

If you have recently been hit by intense cravings for beans, youre not alone. Many people report having sudden urges to eat various types of beans, including lentils, kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, and more.

Whats Behind the Bean Craze?

There are a few possible explanations for why beans are so irresistibly delicious lately:

• Stress - Times of high anxiety can trigger cravings for comforting foods like beans.
• Nutrient Needs - Your body may be longing for key nutrients found abundantly in beans like fiber, protein, iron, and zinc.
• Hormonal Shifts - Changes in estrogen and progesterone can heighten cravings.

Understanding whats driving your bean cravings can help you find healthy ways to satisfy them.

The Benefits of Giving in to Bean Cravings

Not only are beans delicious, but they also offer many perks, meaning your cravings are right on track.

Top Reasons Why Beans Are So Good for You

Here's the scoop on the immense nutrition packed inside beans and why they deserve a solid spot on your plate, bowl, salad, soup and more.

• Protein Powerhouses - Just one cup of beans can provide over 10 grams of satiating protein to keep you energized.
• Fiber All-Stars - With their whopping fiber content, beans can help regulate digestion and blood sugar levels.
• Iron & Zinc - Hard to find in many other plant foods, beans supply a hefty dose of these key minerals.
• Potassium - An often overlooked mineral, potassium regulates fluid balance and muscle contractions.
• Folate for Cells - Necessary for DNA synthesis and new cell generation, beans are loaded with folate.
• Antioxidants Galore - From anthocyanins to kaempferol, beans come packed with diverse antioxidants to fight aging.
• Phytochemical Powerhouses - With phytochemicals linked to disease prevention, beans should be your new best friend.

So when the bean craving strikes, don't feel guilty about indulging - your body and mind will thank you.

Incorporating More Beans into Your Eating Pattern

Once you've embraced your bean cravings, the next step is seamlessly working more of them into your regular eating pattern. So how can you eat beans more often so you're not just scarfing them down sporadically?

Making Beans a Staple Ingredient

With so many varieties to choose from - like black, pinto, garbanzo, cannellini, navy, kidney and beyond - there are infinite ways to enjoy beans as part of balanced meals and snacks. Get creative with recipes like:

• Hearty bean soups and chilis full of fiber
• Plant-based bean burgers or fritters
• DIY burrito bowls piled with veggies, beans, avocado, etc.
• Rich bean dips like hummus, white bean dip or black bean dip
• fiber-filled bean salads full of crunchy vegetables
• Satisfying roasted chickpeas for snacking

Explore global cuisine for inspo! Indian dals, Middle Eastern falafels, Mexican bean dishes, and more can expose your palate to tasty new bean recipes. The options are endless once you open your bean-loving mind.

Tips for Cooking & Preparing Beans

To get the most nutrition from beans and make them easily digestible, keep these preparation tips in mind:

• Soak dried beans before cooking to increase nutrient absorption.
• Discard soaking water and rinse well to remove anti-nutrients like phytic acid.
• Cook dried beans thoroughly until very soft for easier digestion.
• Flavor cooked beans with anti-bloating herbs and spices like cumin, ginger, rosemary.
• Introduce beans gradually if your body isn't used to all that bean glory yet.

By preparing beans thoughtfully and adding them to favorite recipes, you'll be fulfilling your body's cravings the healthy, feel-good way.

When Bean Cravings May Indicate Health Concerns

Although for most people recurring bean cravings are completely normal and harmless, they can occasionally signal potential issues like:

Digestive Problems

Intense longings for beans paired with bloating and tummy troubles after eating them can indicate you may have difficulty properly digesting beans.

Blood Sugar Imbalances

Frequent strong urges to eat beans along with symptoms like fatigue, mood swings and sugar cravings may be tied to insulin resistance or reactive hypoglycemia.

Iron or Zinc Deficiency

If strong bean cravings strike along with unusual fatigue, weakness and hair loss, you may need more iron and zinc from beans.

Pay attention to any accompanying symptoms you experience with bean cravings. Discussing concerns with your doctor can determine if an underlying issue needs treatment.

When to See a Professional About Bean Cravings

While periodic hankerings for beans are typically harmless, seek medical guidance if you experience:

• Intense round-the-clock thoughts of beans that disrupt your daily functioning
• Eating beans in excess every day, even past fullness
• Significant weight fluctuations tied to bean consumption
• Strong urges to binge on beans followed by feelings of shame or guilt

If bean cravings feel unmanageable or negatively impact your well-being, speaking to an expert can determine if an underlying issue needs addressing or if certain support would help moderate your relationship with beans.

At the end of the day, nurturing bean cravings is typically a nutritious choice thanks to all those fiber, protein and antioxidants. But occasionally, they hint at other issues to explore. With mindful eating habits, beans can become a health ally that keeps you feeling nourished, stabilized and happily satisfied!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.