Food cravings aren’t uncommon.
However, you might find it odd that you’re craving beans in particular.
There are a few reasons you may be craving beans instead of other types of food.
Here are 10 reasons you might be craving beans so bad.
Why Am I Craving Beans So Badly? (10 Possible Reasons)
1. Low On Calories
If you’re low on calories, then your body will tell you.
The human body needs calories to fuel itself and keep itself running.
A tablespoon of beans has 42 calories.
While that doesn’t cover the daily amount that you need, it does give you a good amount.
Eating more than a tablespoon of beans can help you reach your total daily number of calories.
You should keep in mind that eating too many beans could affect your ability to stick with a diet.
Beans that use a lot of butter or come with other greasy sides can add even more calories to your diet.
You may end up ingesting more calories than you realize.
As a result, you blow past your diet.
2. You’re On A Diet
You may also be craving beans if you’re on a diet.
Most diets are starvation-based.
They require you to put a deficit in the number of calories that you eat.
The problem is that you’re not taking in enough protein and other nutrients.
As a result, your body tells you that you need to eat more.
Because beans are nutritious, your body craves them.
It can cover the various deficits that your diet is giving to your body.
Instead of relying on a diet to lose weight, you should eat the correct number of calories that your body needs according to your BMI.
You won’t crave beans as much.
3. You Need Protein
You need protein to build muscle and help your body function.
The problem is that certain sedentary lifestyles mean that you may not get enough protein to support your lifestyle.
A sedentary lifestyle for a male requires an average of 56 grams of protein a day.
For women, it’s 46 grams of protein.
A tablespoon of beans has 2.6 grams of protein on its own.
If you have a bowl of beans, then you can significantly increase the amount of protein that you receive in your diet.
If your body doesn’t receive enough protein, then it may be trying to tell you through cravings.
When you eat enough protein, the cravings should stop.
4. You Need Carbs
Carbs often get a bad reputation when it comes to your diet.
Many diets try to cut down on the number of carbs that you consume.
The problem is that your body needs carbs.
They’re responsible for fueling your body.
When your body needs energy, but you don’t have access to a meal, then your body breaks down stored carbs in your body.
You can push through your task until you’re able to consume a meal that is easier for your body to digest.
If you ever feel as though you’re low on sugar or feeling weak, then it may be because your body doesn’t have stored carbs to break down for energy.
As a result, your body sends out a craving for beans.
That’s because a tablespoon of beans has eight grams of carbs.
That’s a large number of carbs for a small size.
Once you eat some beans, your craving will stop because you have supplied your body with enough excess carbs.
5. Hormonal Changes
Going through hormonal changes can have a huge impact on your cravings.
Your hormones play an integral role in everything from your metabolism to your sex drive.
They act as messengers and regulators.
Hormonal changes can occur due to age, medication, and even certain lifestyles.
When a hormonal change occurs, your body may not be able to process or digest food as well.
As a result, your body may not be receiving enough of the nutrients that it needs to survive.
One craving that your body may have is for beans.
Since beans contain several different nutrients, they can help your hormones do their job.
One example is women experiencing menstruation.
They may have a sudden craving for beans either right before their period begins or at the beginning of their period.
That’s usually because their body needs extra carbs to undergo menstruation.
Since beans are high in carbs, the body craves them to satisfy its nutritional needs.
6. You May Be Pregnant
When you’re pregnant, your body needs far more nutrients than normal.
You’re not only trying to keep your own body healthy, but you’re also growing a baby.
The baby receives its nutrients from your diet.
If you’re experiencing a craving for beans, then it might be because you’re low in iron.
One of the most important nutrients that your body needs during pregnancy is iron.
It’s sometimes difficult for some women to receive the right amount of iron while they’re pregnant.
As a result, their body craves something high in iron.
Beans have a large amount of iron in them.
The craving may not even come from you, but it might come from the baby who needs iron.
7. Enjoyable Texture
Some beans have a particularly pleasing texture for some people.
They enjoy the slight pop that you receive when you bite into them.
When you first eat a food that has a pleasing texture, your brain remembers it.
It forges a connection with the pleasure sensors in your mind.
It’s associated with pleasure.
That makes the brain want more of it since it naturally seeks pleasurable pursuits.
You may find yourself craving the specific texture of beans which makes you crave beans, themselves.
There could be a number of reasons you’re craving that specific texture.
If you’re seeking comfort food, then your brain may desire the texture.
Depression or simply having a bad day may also cause your brain to seek pleasurable comforts like food textures that it enjoys.
8. You Love Beans
One of the simplest reasons that you’re craving beans is that you enjoy them.
Whether it’s the flavor or texture, you enjoy green, white, or red beans.
Since you associate eating them with a pleasurable experience, your brain gives you a craving for them from time to time.
The only way to make the craving go away is to eat the beans or eat something with a similar flavor or texture.
9. Stress
Stress often makes you crave certain things.
Stress isn’t pleasant for your brain to experience.
To combat symptoms of stress, the brain will seek a pleasurable experience.
For some people, their brains may cause cravings for sugar or donuts.
Others may receive a craving for beans.
That’s because you may have had a positive or pleasurable experience that you associate with beans.
When you eat beans when you’re stressed, it’s because your brain is trying to help you relax and feel good.
The next time you crave beans, you should take stock with yourself to see if you’re stressed about something.
10. Phosphorous Deficiency
A final reason you might be craving beans so bad is that you have a phosphorous deficiency.
Phosphorous plays an important role in keeping your bones healthy.
Along with calcium, phosphorous helps build strong bones.
There are a few signs that you can recognize as a phosphorous deficiency.
Muscle weakness and muscle damage are some of the first signs.
You may also experience confusion or have problems breathing.
Beans contain phosphorous.
Your body may send signals to your brain that it needs phosphorous.
Since it knows it can receive phosphorous from beans, it makes you crave beans.
Once your phosphorous levels are regular, the craving for beans will go away.
What Are The Different Types Of Beans?
It’s important to know the various types of beans.
When you know what type of bean you’re craving, you can have a better idea of what nutrient your body is missing.
Here are some of the most popular types of beans.
1. Black Beans
One of the most popular types of beans is black beans.
They’re mild in flavor and have a smooth texture.
Black beans are often found in vegan and vegetarian dishes as a replacement for meat.
They make a great base, but they’re also delicious as a side for your meal.
Black beans have a low glycemic index.
That means they’re low in sugar.
That makes these types of beans great for those with diabetes or who are trying to watch their sugar intake.
Black beans contain magnesium which helps with muscle support and nerve function.
It also plays a role in producing energy from food.
Having low magnesium can increase the risk of developing ailments like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
It can also lead to osteoporosis.
Black beans also have folate in them, which helps in the production of red blood cells and helps them function.
Vitamin A is another nutrient found in black beans, a crucial element of immune system support.
It helps fight disease and prevent illness.
It also helps keep your vision healthy.
Black beans also contain calcium, which
is helpful for building strong bones.
Iron also helps make red blood cells.
Without iron, you can develop anemia.
Eating a good amount of black beans can keep you from feeling dizzy and weak.
One of the last major nutrients of black beans is potassium, which aids in the functioning of your cells.
It regulates the rhythm of your heart and ensures your muscles and nerves function correctly.
2. Black-Eyed Peas
Another favorite bean is the black-eyed pea.
They’re white beans with a black speck on them that resembles an eye.
This type of bean has an earthy flavor.
Many chefs serve black-eyed peas with salty meals because of their earthy flavor.
Pregnant women eat black-eyed peas as snacks or sides because they contain a lot of folate.
This helps the baby’s cell growth and keeps the fetus healthy.
Calcium is also in black-eyed peas and can help keep the pregnant mother’s bones solid and supported while also helping the growth of the baby’s bones.
Zinc plays several roles in your body, including helping your immune system stay strong and encouraging metabolism function.
Zinc also helps your wound heals by encouraging your body to stitch itself back together.
Zinc also plays a role in your ability to smell and taste.
Black-eyed peas contain copper, which works together with iron to create red blood cells.
It also helps your blood vessels and nerves stay strong.
Black-eyed peas have manganese which helps form blood clots during wound healing.
This mineral also helps form connective tissue between muscles and bones and regulate blood sugar levels and brain function, too.
Finally, black-eyed peas contain vitamin A.
It can help keep pregnant women healthy as well as anyone else who eats them regularly.
3. Cannellini Beans
Also known as white Italian kidney beans, cannellini beans have a ton of nutrients in them as well.
One of the best things about cannellini beans is that they’re fat-free.
Those who are following a diet or trying to watch how many fats they eat can enjoy eating cannellini beans without concern.
They also support healthy cholesterol levels.
That makes them a great snack or meal for those who need to watch their blood pressure.
In terms of nutrients, they have iron, magnesium, and folate.
Together, these nutrients help support your immune system and regulate your blood levels.
4. Garbanzo Beans
Also known as chickpeas, garbanzo beans are great to eat on their own.
However, they’re often used to create hummus.
They have a firm texture which makes them a delicious addition to salads.
It adds a bit of crispness and flavor to any vegetable meal.
Many believe that garbanzo beans have a nutty flavor.
One of the best aspects of garbanzo beans is that they’re full of fiber.
Having fiber in your diet helps with your digestion.
They also have a lot of protein which can support muscle growth and skin health.
Garbanzo beans contain potassium and iron.
You’ll find lots of B vitamins in chickpeas as well.
The B vitamins help your metabolism and convert fuel into energy, but
they also help brain health.
Selenium, another nutrient found in garbanzo beans, helps your body recover from certain diseases like cancer.
It’s a powerful antioxidant that also helps fight oxidative stress.
This can reduce the chances of developing cancer and heart disease.
Finally, it can reduce mental decline.
5. Kidney Beans
Perhaps one of the most common beans is kidney beans.
They’re used in chili recipes the most often.
They have a mild flavor.
One of the nutrients in kidney beans is omega-3 fatty acids.
If you’re not fond of fish, then eating kidney beans can give you a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent cardiovascular disease and
can keep your heart and arteries healthy.
Another great aspect of kidney beans is that they’re full of antioxidants.
They can help to keep oxidizers from damaging your DNA and causing cancer.
Kidney beans also contain nutrients like iron, folate, manganese, and phosphorous.
One final nutrient found in kidney beans is thiamine.
Thiamine is another word for vitamin B1.
This helps convert food into energy that the body can use, and
it also metabolizes fats and proteins.
Thiamine can help those on a diet get the most out of their food.
6. Pinto Beans
Pinto beans also have an earthy flavor that many people love.
They contain a lot of fiber and protein that makes them a great snack, side dish, or base for a meal.
One reason many people love eating pinto beans is that they’re free of cholesterol.
That makes them one of the healthiest snacks you can eat.
If you add salt or other seasonings to the beans, however, then you also add cholesterol to the dish.
They’re also low in fat and sodium, so if you’re on a diet or need to restrict your sodium intake, then pinto beans should be a good snack for you.
They also contain some of the other nutrients found in the other beans like thiamine, iron, potassium, manganese, and phosphorous.
7. Soybeans
One final bean that many people eat is soybeans.
There are several different ways to use and eat soybeans.
Some prefer to eat them when they’re still in their pod.
Others like to squeeze the bean and make milk out of them.
The great thing about soybeans is that they contain a lot of vitamins C and K.
Vitamin C supports your immune system while vitamin K helps your blood to clot when you’re wounded.
Soy also has a ton of protein in it.
Conclusion
There are several reasons you may be craving beans.
They usually have to do with a nutrient deficiency or a stress-related craving.
The texture or flavor of beans can evoke a pleasurable response in your brain which makes you want to eat them more.
Consider the reasons above and figure out which bean you need to eat to make up for your nutrient deficiency.
