Tuna is a sea fish that is in great demand because of its delicious taste and texture. Have you ever eaten tuna? Have you ever suddenly craving tuna, whether it was in the form of fried tuna, cooked in soy sauce, sushi, salad, or in other forms such as sandwiches? This craving is often a sign that someone is lacking in nutrition, hormonal changes, emotional factors, or because they are provoked by past memories when you enjoyed tuna.
In this article, I will discuss some possible reasons behind tuna cravings and what you can do to overcome this uncontrollable craving. Keep reading this article until the end!
Some Reasons Behind Tuna Cravings
Here are some possibilities that underlie someone’s craving tuna. If you experience this suddenly, then you are likely experiencing one of these reasons. Let’s check them one by one!
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
When you crave tuna, there are many reasons behind it and one of them is because your body is lacking the nutrients provided by Tuna. When your body is in that condition, your instincts will tell you and ask you to consume tuna.
Among the nutrients in tuna is Omega 3, which is an important nutrient for the heart, and brain, and good for reducing body inflammation. Tuna also contains protein which is beneficial for repairing body tissue and building muscle. If you crave tuna, it could be a sign that your body is lacking protein.
Tuna is also a source of vitamin D which is beneficial for helping bone health and body immunity. Then, there are also nutrients such as iron and selenium, both of which are important in energy production and antioxidant defense.
When the body lacks these nutrients, the body will naturally crave foods that contain these nutrients such as tuna. So, it is natural that you crave tuna, this is a sign that there is a possibility that your body is experiencing a deficiency of these nutrients.
So, what should you do when you crave tuna? There is nothing to worry about, you can follow your cravings as long as they are not excessive because this is good for your body.
2. High body need for protein
If you do a lot of physical activity or exercise that makes your body run out or lack protein. Then, of course your body needs more protein and at the same time you experience tuna cravings.
Tuna is a healthy food without fat and contains a lot of protein that can provide amino acids for body health.
3. Hormonal Changes
Another reason behind cravings is hormonal changes, usually cravings like this occur in pregnant women, menopause, and menstruation. This condition will make women experience unbearable cravings. Tuna is an important source of nutrition especially in building hormonal balance, and when hormonal changes occur, the body often experiences cravings for tuna to restore the body’s hormonal balance.
4. Emotional and Psychological Factors
There are also cravings for tuna that occur due to psychological and emotional factors. This type of craving occurs in individuals who feel stressed, anxious, or seeking comfort. When the body is in this condition, our brain sometimes associates certain foods such as tuna. Consuming it sometimes gives a sense of happiness because of its deliciousness.
If you’ve tried tuna in the past, you may experience cravings to return to that pleasant past, especially those related to tuna.
5. Dehydration or Electrolyte Needs
Tuna cravings can also occur when the body is lacking fluids and electrolytes. Tuna is a fish that contains salt and this can replace lost body electrolytes. If you experience mild dehydration, it is very possible for someone to crave something that is salty and tuna cravings are one of them.
6. Influence of Environment and Social Media
Then, the factors behind tuna cravings can also be due to the environment and social media. When you see other people enjoying tuna with gusto on social media or see advertisements about the deliciousness of tuna, this affects your appetite and suddenly you want to eat tuna.
Tips for Overcoming Craving Tuna
If you feel disturbed by tuna cravings that continue to occur even though you have followed the cravings, then you should think about tips to prevent it or tips to overcome these cravings.
Among the tips to overcome tuna cravings are:
1. Make sure you get enough nutrition
To ensure your body gets enough nutrition, try eating foods that are sources of nutrition such as fish rich in omega 3, including salmon and sardines. Also eat foods rich in protein such as eggs, chicken, and tofu.
Vary your daily diet by consuming nutrients from plant sources in the form of green vegetables so that your iron and vitamin needs can be met.
2. Meet your fluid needs
If you crave salty foods such as tuna, this could be a sign of mild dehydration. So, the way to overcome this is to meet your daily drinking water needs. Try drinking lots of water, at least 2 liters every day and if you do heavy physical work, you can drink more water.
3. Consume Tuna Within Reasonable Limits
Even if you have tuna cravings, it doesn’t mean you can eat tuna in excessive portions. Always pay attention to your portions, and don’t consume tuna in excessive amounts. Then, choose tuna that is low in mercury, and consume about 2-3 servings a week.
4. Divert Attention
When you crave tuna, you can overcome this craving by following it (consuming tuna in reasonable amounts), if this continues, then try to divert your attention so that you do not eat excessive portions of tuna.
You can divert your attention by exercising, reading, or taking a leisurely walk. This is believed to prevent or eliminate your cravings.
5. Control your Stress
Stress is one of the causes of overeating, including when you crave tuna. If you are stressed and want to eat a lot of tuna, you can manage your stress properly.
Proper stress management can reduce the urge to eat certain foods. You can do meditation or yoga. Both of these activities can help you relieve stress or reduce it.
6. Consult a Nutritionist
If tuna cravings continue and reach the point of disrupting your eating patterns, now is the time to consider your problem and it is advisable to consult a nutritionist for further guidance on your problem.
When Should You Call a Doctor?
We admit that tuna cravings are common, but there are some things that need to be considered and require medical attention. Some craving conditions that make you need to call a doctor are:
- Uncontrollable cravings are a sign of serious nutritional deficiencies.
- Cravings that cause new health problems such as extreme fatigue, paleness, or dizziness.
- Tuna cravings that can make you overeat, this is worried about excessive mercury exposure, especially for pregnant women.
- Well, if tuna cravings are in a worrying condition like above, you should consult a doctor and ask for advice from a doctor or professional nutritionist.
FAQs about Craving Tuna
1. Is tuna cravings during pregnancy normal?
Yes, cravings during pregnancy are very common, including tuna cravings. This happens because of hormonal changes during pregnancy, or because of nutritional needs during pregnancy. Even though you can eat tuna, choose tuna that is low in mercury.
Check out more:
2. How much tuna is safe to consume each week?
The FDA recommends that tuna consumption should not exceed 2-3 servings per week, this is important to avoid mercury exposure.
3. Can craving tuna indicate malnutrition?
Yes, one of the reasons behind tuna cravings is a lack of certain nutrients that found in tuna. For example, a lack of protein, vitamin B12, and omega 3. Tuna provides these nutrients, so by following your cravings, your nutritional needs can be met again.
4. How to replace tuna with other healthy foods?
If you don’t want to consume tuna, you can find nutrients (such as in tuna) in salmon, sardines, nuts.
5. Can I consume canned tuna?
Yes, canned tuna is also healthy as long as it is consumed in moderation. Then, pay attention to the label, choose low-sodium tuna, low-mercury and types of tuna that are free from other harmful ingredients.
Conclusion: Craving Tuna Fish
Tuna cravings are normal, and this happens not without reason but because of many factors. Among the causes of tuna cravings are nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, due to emotional factors, or certain media that advertise or show the deliciousness of tuna.
You can follow these cravings as long as they are within reasonable limits. Balance it with a variety of other foods for balanced body nutrition. But if you have excessive or uncontrolled cravings, immediately contact a professional nutritionist.
