If you're craving fruit and other healthy snacks, you may be wondering if you're ill! If you're anything like me, salty foods or chocolate cravings are normally more likely than fruit cravings! Sugar cravings are nothing new to us all, but they usually present as cravings for high-calorie foods or unhealthy food. So, you may be asking yourself ‘why am I craving fruit suddenly?’
Top Reason You Might Be Craving Fruit!
Craving sugary foods is absolutely normal, this is why a balanced diet is always encouraged if you're trying to lose weight. And fruit contains natural sugars and is much better for you than certain foods. However, if you find craving bananas a bit strange, there could be a good reason behind it - like the ones below!
Hormonal Changes Can Lead To Certain Food Cravings
Ever heard a food craving/pregnancy joke? Well, the reason you get certain food cravings while you're pregnant is because of hormonal changes. It can also happen during menopause and during the menstrual cycle.
But why do you get cravings for the sweet taste of fruits or a hankering for processed foods that you'd never normally touch with a barge pole while you're pregnant or going through other hormonal changes? Researchers aren't sure, but women do experience changes to their sense of smell and taste during these periods. And increased hormone levels can cause physical or emotional changes too. So, you might smell juicy fruit and decide that's what you really fancy for a healthy snack. But it can also be just because!
If you've got cravings for sweet foods, you aren't alone. A sugar craving from a healthy snack is perfectly normal. Mangoes, berries and melon cravings are usually pretty traditional. But if you're craving slightly sour fruit, like citrus fruits, for example, this still isn't out of the ordinary. Many women do! Enjoy your new cravings and the additional vitamin C!
Fruit Cravings Can Mean Low Blood Sugar Levels
Your cravings for fruits may mean you have low blood sugar levels. This is likely if your cravings occur between meals. As you know, fruit has plenty of natural sugars (called fructose) and your cravings could be your body telling you to head to the nearest source of sugar.
This is particularly true if you normally make very healthy dietary choices. Your body's reaction to needing sweet stuff will likely mean that your brain won't see unhealthy food like a chocolate bar or a tub of table sugar as a suitable source of sugar. Instead, it will choose the healthier options, in this case, fruit.
So, if you are craving fruit between meals, low blood sugar could play a factor and the psychological factors of having a healthy diet could sway your brain into choosing healthy foods that have loads of vitamins and minerals to boost your blood glucose levels, rather than chocolate or other unhealthy food choices.
Dehydration
Similar cravings as above can be caused by dehydration rather than low blood sugar levels. An apple is 85% water, a watermelon is 91% water as are strawberries! So, these sweet and delicious treats are packed full of water and essential nutrients. If you've skipped a few hydration sessions throughout the day, your body may be craving water rather than fruit. So, if you want to skip something sweet, give water a try first, but if those cravings for that sweet, sweet, fruit don't go away, grab an apple and enjoy!
Food Restrictions
If you're currently on a calorie-restricted diet, it could be the restrictions you've put in place. The diet you've set yourself may have been done with the best intentions in the world, but restricting yourself too much can mean a faster lapse back into old habits.
Unless you've had a very bad relationship with fruit in the past, consider lifting some of the restrictions in place. Fruit is high in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It also contains natural sugars that can help reduce cravings for unhealthy foods that contain more sugar, and it’s super tasty!
Dark leafy greens, whole grains and boiled chicken with the occasional sweet potatoes for flavour may be really healthy, but your body, brain and you may find it just as boring as it is healthy! So, if your body is craving something sweet, in this case, it might be worth listening and enjoying fruit every so often.
Habit
If you've cut fruit out of your diet recently, your cravings could be as simple as habit. Your brain is craving fruit because it got used to it being part of your diet, and now it's missing.
You likely removed fruit from your diet for a good reason, so finding a suitable alternative, or resisting the urges for a few weeks should be enough to stop the cravings.
The Takeaways
So, there are some of the top reasons why you are craving fruit! As London's leading supplier of office fruit boxes, we don't think there's anything wrong with craving fruit! If you aren't allergic or on a strict diet, then enjoy as much fruit as you like as part of a healthy diet!
If you live in London and can't wait to dive into fresh fruit, you're in luck! We can deliver fresh fruit that we've hand-picked from the best fruit markets in London straight to your door! So, what are you waiting for? Satisfy your fruit cravings by ordering from Ripe London today!
Fruit Craving FAQs
Is it OK to eat as much fruit as you want?
Fruit should be part of a healthy diet that includes other healthy foods (and some fun stuff). Eating a large amount of fruit doesn't pose too much of a health risk, but mixing it up ensures you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.
Can I lose weight by eating a lot of fruit?
Fruits that are high in fibre can help with weight management. They can increase the feeling of fullness, hydrate you and reduce hunger. So, don't be afraid of the sugar found in fruit, it can be your best friend on a diet.
Why do I feel so much better after eating fruit?
There is a good chance that you might be dehydrated if you feel amazing just after eating fruit. If the good feeling comes a day or two after eating fruit, this could mean you're getting vital vitamins and minerals that your body is crying out for. Whatever the reason, if you feel good, then introduce more fruit into your diet and feel great every day!
