Cravings and Vitamin Deficiencies

I've tried doing some research online on this topic, nothing has come up with my specific craving, nor does any website's information seem to match any other website's information.

I've been craving chips and salsa every day for the past two weeks. I'll eat a whole jar of salsa with like 1/3 or 1/2 a bag of corn chips EVERY DAY. It must have something to do with the crunchy and spicy combination because regular chips don't do it for me, neither does any other kind of dip. Anyway, as you can imagine, this is killing my caloric goals and is not very nutritious either.

Have you heard of anything like this before?

(P.S. - I know that I'm not pregnant. I'm on the pill and also have not had an intimate relationship with anyone in the past 6 months. So these are not pregnancy cravings. Also, I've never had cravings like this before, so I don't think they're premenstrual cravings either.)

this video might be helpful to you :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74_jgfVk7X

its just mental. you like spicy and crunchy foods, it hits the spot- everyone has theri weaknesses. i like nutty and creamy (also a very unnutritous craving) but you dont need chips and salsa. just stopeating them. or do it in moderation. i think it might help to explore other crunchy spicy combos like baby carrots with extra spicy hummus. or you could have some crunchy chicken. dip really thinly sliced chicken in egg and then bread crumbs mixed with cayenne or whatever spicey spice you wanna use and bake it in the oven. its not extremely healthy but it has good points unlike tthe emptiness of chips. salsa is actually really good for you, its just veggies, minus a slightl;y high sodium, so try salsa on different things. personlaly i will put salsa on my eggs with some chili powder for a simple mexican style egg breakfast or i use salsa on salad instead of dressing. its really good with a crunchy salad with black beans and corn with some taco seaoned chicken.

anyways... it hasnothing to do with vitiman deficiency. our bodies dont crave bad food when we need nutrition. they just crave food in general. make sure your eating enough and healthy variety. try yourself to a big bowl of chips and salsa once a week, like sunday or something. dont tell yourself you cant haveit though, cos then youll want it worse

It sounds as though what you're looking for is a salt/acid/pepper hit and you've got into a bad habit as a result.  Very simple solution will be to stop buying corn chips and salsa completely for a while on the basis of 'if it's not there you can't eat it'.    Try other salty/savoury/crispy combinations like fresh hummus and raw vegetables until you get out of the habit of the chips and salsa.  Find other things to eat... good luck

camilyna: I couldn't get to the video with the link you gave me... what was it about or what were the search words you used? Thanks.

And to clarify for anyone else who reads this post, my question is not about the nutritional value of my cravings or how to stop them.

There are certain cravings that signify certain vitamin deficiencies and I was wondering if this could be one of those.

If you are not a doctor, nutritionist, or other health expert, please do not respond.

Thank you.

With respect, if you want a doctor, nutritionist or health expert you should really go and consult one... These message boards aren't going to replace qualified professionals.

There is a condition called 'pica' which is a result of severe vitamin deficiencies.... usually iron and zinc.  Sufferers will get cravings for non-foods ranging from cigarette butts to ice-cubes to coal.  A craving for salt, vinegar, starch and sugar (salsa and corn chips) wouldn't qualify as symptomatic of pica therefore.  A deficiency of salt, however, can cause salt cravings. 

If you think your cravings are a result of a diet deficient in minerals/vitamins there is one easy way to find out and that would be to improve your diet and to supplement it with a daily multivitamin.  If the cravings continue then you'll know it's not due to a deficiency and more likely to be... as previously suggested... a bad habit.

anyways... it hasnothing to do with vitiman deficiency. our bodies dont crave bad food when we need nutrition. they just crave food in general. make sure your eating enough and healthy variety.

 I disagree. I was eating healthy foods, every 2-3 hours and I was craving sweets/carbs like MAD. I'd eat healthy but even right after the meal, I'd want something sweet. I think that some food cravings are a sign for our body trying to tell us something, so I went to a doctor and had my blood work done. I was deficient in Vitamin D and Iron, which greatly was affecting my moods too of being overtired even on 9 hours of sleep and depressed/sad feeling for no reason. Now that I'm on a good quality multi vitamin and added in more dairy to my diet, it's totally different. I don't get cravings like that any more and I'm not as tired. Everything else food wise/exercise wise remains the same as before.

to the OP if you really want to know for sure, go to your doctor and get your bloodwork done.

Original Post by silverbutterfly:

anyways... it hasnothing to do with vitiman deficiency. our bodies dont crave bad food when we need nutrition. they just crave food in general. make sure your eating enough and healthy variety.

 I disagree. I was eating healthy foods, every 2-3 hours and I was craving sweets/carbs like MAD. I'd eat healthy but even right after the meal, I'd want something sweet. I think that some food cravings are a sign for our body trying to tell us something, so I went to a doctor and had my blood work done. I was deficient in Vitamin D and Iron, which greatly was affecting my moods too of being overtired even on 9 hours of sleep and depressed/sad feeling for no reason. Now that I'm on a good quality multi vitamin and added in more dairy to my diet, it's totally different. I don't get cravings like that any more and I'm not as tired. Everything else food wise/exercise wise remains the same as before.

to the OP if you really want to know for sure, go to your doctor and get your bloodwork done.

 Thank you, silverbutterfly. This was the kind of response I had in mind when I first posted this. I had heard of cravings signaling deficiencies and wanted to see if anyone had experienced something like I'm experiencing right now. Your craving isn't exactly like mine, but your response is way more on track than the others I've recieved. I have the same problem of craving this so badly even after I've eaten a good meal. Like I mentioned,  I will eat like half a bag of chips each day, and I've never had cravings like this before.

I did call my doctor (before even posting this) and have an appointment to see him. I'm just the kind of person who likes to do some research before going in so that I can be informed.

Anyone else had similar experiences with cravings and vitamin deficiencies? :)

I have recently experienced similar cravings, but without the salsa.  I would eat 1/3 to 1/2 a bag of Tostitos and could not stop.  I would eat them daily.  I figured there was a reason I was craving them.

I have been reading medical information on a site called womentowomen.  On an evaluation, they asked the question "Do you crave corn chips?"  I emailed  the question, why am I craving them and will hopefully get a response within the next few weeks.

My cravings came after my first experience with recurring panic attacks.  Since then, I've been told that I havea hormone imbalance.  These attacks can leave your cortisol levels higher, and interrupt the natural cycle of highs and lows.  I wonder if this could cause a craving.

Original Post by silverbutterfly:

anyways... it hasnothing to do with vitiman deficiency. our bodies dont crave bad food when we need nutrition. they just crave food in general. make sure your eating enough and healthy variety.

 I disagree. I was eating healthy foods, every 2-3 hours and I was craving sweets/carbs like MAD. 

Just pointing out a logical inconsistency here silverbutterfly. You might have thought you were "eating healthy," but if you were iron and D-deficient, your body still "needed nutrition."

OP I would try out gijanes advice before I spent time and money on a Dr.'s visit (then again, maybe your insurance is better than mine). If the multivitamin clears out your cravings it might be time to re-examine your diet choices.  Then again you don't want my advice so I'll now zip my non-professional lips and just wish you luck!