Why you may crave potatoes
Craving potatoes on a raw vegan diet can be due to various physical, emotional, and dietary factors. Some of the most common reasons: 1. β
Carbohydrate deficiency. Potatoes are a starchy food and a rich source of carbohydrates, which the body uses as its primary source of energy. On a raw vegan diet, you may not be consuming enough calories from carbohydrate-rich fruits or other raw sources. Result β‘οΈ The body signals for easily digestible and satisfying carbohydrates like those found in potatoes. If you're under-consuming calories, your body may crave calorie-dense, starchy foods like potatoes to meet its energy needs. Potatoes may feel like a "comfort food" due to their ability to quickly satisfy hunger. 2 β
Desire for Complex Carbohydrates Fruits, the main carbohydrate source on a raw vegan diet, provide simple sugars (glucose and fructose), which digest quickly. Potatoes, as a source of complex carbohydrates, provide slower-digesting energy, which your body may crave to feel more sustained energy. Result β‘οΈ Your body might be seeking the slower, steadier energy release that potatoes provide. 3 β
. Some mineral deficiencies Like Potassium, Magnesium or Vitamin B6 (present in potatoes) 4 β
. Emotional Comfort and Habit You may subconsciously crave the emotional comfort or familiarity that these foods provided before switching to a raw vegan diet. Your body could be associating potatoes with feelings of warmth and satisfaction. 5 β
. Transition and Detox When transitioning to a raw vegan diet, your body detoxifies and adjusts to the lack of cooked and processed foods. This can sometimes trigger cravings for previous staples, including cooked starches like potatoes, as your body remembers them as satisfying and grounding. 6 β
Gut Microbiome Changes The gut microbiome adapts to dietary changes, and certain bacteria that thrived on starches may send signals to the brain to encourage the consumption of foods they favor (like potatoes). Cravings can arise as these bacteria seek their preferred fuel.