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You’re just minding your own business when suddenly—BAM!—a craving hits out of nowhere. And not just any craving. You’re practically drooling at the thought of hot, crispy fried chicken wings. You can already hear the crunch, taste the juicy, flavorful bite, and feel the satisfaction of biting into that perfectly seasoned crispiness. Nothing else will do. You want those wings now.
But wait—where is this craving even coming from?
Why, out of the blue, does your body suddenly demand fried food?
Turns out, those deep-fried desires aren’t just random. Cravings are often your body’s way of sending a message, telling you that it needs something—specifically, certain vitamins and nutrients that might be running low. If you find yourself seriously wanting fatty, fried foods, it could mean your body is low on fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. (1) These vitamins play a big role in keeping your immune system strong, stabilizing blood sugar, and helping your body properly use and store calcium. (1)
Here’s the thing—your body stores these vitamins in fatty tissues, so when it realizes it needs more, it nudges you toward foods that contain fat. And unfortunately, that often means cravings for deep-fried deliciousness like chicken wings, French fries, or potato chips. (2) It’s your body’s way of trying to get what it’s missing, even if it’s not always the healthiest way to go about it.
Now, let’s be honest—giving in to the craving is easy. A quick drive-thru trip, an order of crispy wings, and you’re golden. But regularly eating fried foods comes with some not-so-great side effects, like weight gain, high cholesterol, and increased risk of heart disease. While the occasional indulgence is fine, making it a habit can lead to long-term health issues.
What to eat if you crave fried food
So what’s the alternative? The good news is, you can still satisfy your body’s need for fat-soluble vitamins without relying on deep-fried food. Instead of reaching for the fryer, try incorporating healthier fat sources into your meals.
Foods like salmon, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, and a variety of nuts and seeds are packed with healthy fats and those essential vitamins your body craves. (1) By making these nutrient-dense foods part of your regular diet, you’ll naturally reduce those intense cravings for fried, greasy foods.
There are also a few extra tricks to help keep cravings in check.
• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can prevent false hunger signals.
• Managing stress is another big one—stress can send cravings into overdrive, pushing you toward comfort foods. (3)
• Getting enough sleep is key, too, since poor sleep messes with hunger hormones and can lead to increased cravings for fatty, sugary foods. (4)
• And don’t forget about protein! Eating enough protein, especially at breakfast, can help keep cravings under control throughout the day. (5)
At the end of the day, it’s all about tuning in to what your body is really asking for and making choices that support long-term health. Cravings aren’t the enemy—they’re just signals. And with a little know-how, you can respond in a way that keeps both your taste buds and your body happy. So next time that fried food craving strikes, remember—you’re in charge, and there are plenty of delicious, nutritious ways to give your body exactly what it needs.
Sources
1. https://www.bepure.co.nz/blogs/news/what-cravings-actually-mean-eat-instead
3. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-stress-can-make-you-eat-more-or-not-at-all/
