The meaning of dairy cravings

Dairy cravings can be driven by a combination of nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances and stress.

Nutrient deficiencies can trigger dairy cravings because it contains these nutrients

• Minerals calcium and magnesium for bone and nerve health

• Vitamin D for immunity and gut health

• Tryptophan for serotonin production, our happy neurotransmitter

• Healthy fats (EFAs) for cell integrity, brain health and hormones

Gut dysbiosis

• Some people have gut bacteria that break down dairy into opioid-like peptides, making them feel calm and addicted to dairy

• Yeast overgrowths like candida in the gut cause dairy cravings, especially cheese, which feeds certain fungi

Blood sugar dysregulation

• Dairy contains the sugar lactose. If our blood sugar is low or unstable, we may crave dairy for fast energy

• It also has an insulinogenic effect, increasing insulin levels more than other foods, leading to blood sugar swings and cravings

Hormonal imbalances

• Dairy contains natural hormones that can mimic oestrogen and progesterone, leading to cravings when our body is hormonally imbalanced, including in menopause

• Prolactin, a hormone involved in milk production, can increase dairy cravings, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Stress can cause cortisol dysregulation

• Stress can cause dairy cravings as it contains casein, which breaks down into casomorphins, opioid-like compounds that have sedative, pain-relieving effects

• Dairy contains tyrosine, a precursor to dopamine, our reward neurotransmitter

• Dairy’s tryptophan helps produce serotonin, our feel-good neurotransmitter