Food craving usually indicates a nutrient deficiency in the body, and onion craving is no exception.
If you’re craving onions, your body lacks one or more nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, potassium, and magnesium. You should do something about this.
Read on to find out more about why you’re craving onions.
Six possible reasons you’re craving onions
1. You like the taste
As you might have observed, onions make our foods tastier! This is the likely reason you’re craving onions – you’re probably craving an incredibly delicious onion-spiced meal.
2. You love the smell
While some people don’t like onions’ sulphuric smell, others find it captivating. If you’re in the second category, you may notice some onion cravings from time to time.
3. You’re pregnant
As always, pregnancy always comes with unusual food cravings. While some women crave ice cream or pickles during pregnancy, others display particular appetites for vegetables like onions.
It is important to note that eating onions during pregnancy can lower the chances of gastric ulcers and improve your digestive health, making onions a good recommendation for pregnant women.
However, expectant mothers should be cautious not to eat onions in excess, which may trigger allergies, diarrhea, and heartburn.
4. You’re unwell
Your onion cravings can also be a sign of an illness, and because onions are good sources of vitamin C, they can help you feel better. Eating onions might also ease nausea and vomiting, which cause feelings of sickness.
5. You may have a liver problem
In some cases, a craving for onions can indicate poor liver performance.
Onions are a rich source of sulfur, and the liver utilizes sulfur for most of its daily functions. These include breaking down toxins and regulating hormone production in the body.
If you’re beginning to crave onions, it could mean that your liver is struggling to make up for sulfur deficiency, which could be a sign of a liver problem.
Some symptoms of a liver malfunction are yellowing in the eyes and nails, red spots around the eyebrows, very dark pee, yellowish or light poop, and swelling on the legs and ankles. You should check for these signs too, and see a doctor.
6. Nutrient deficiency
Onions are generally rich in folate, potassium, B6, fiber, manganese, and vitamin C. Your body might seek these nutrients through onion cravings if there’s a deficiency.
Benefits of eating onions
Onions help to reduce cholesterol levels
Onions are rich in nutrients that stimulate high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) to move the unhealthy LDL cholesterol out of the body, reducing the risk of poor blood circulation, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
It contains antiseptic properties
Onions contain flavonoids that have been linked to reducing risk factors for some cancers, especially colorectal and stomach cancers.
Blood sugar regulation
Raw onions may help control type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Improve skin and hair health
Onion is a good source of vitamin C and A, which keeps the skin and hair healthy.
Additionally, applying a gel containing onion extract to the skin can improve the appearance of scars.
Boost bone health
Onions protect against bone deterioration and may also increase bone mass.
It may help improve sleep
Onions are one of the many natural ingredients that can help you sleep better, and they contain prebiotics, which helps lower stress and enhance sleep.
Craving onions? How to eat it
Below are some ways to add more onions to your diet.
- Add onions to stir fry dishes.
- Bread fresh-cut onions, then fry them to make onion rings.
- Mix grated onions with rice vinegar, vegetable oil, soy sauce, and sugar for a refreshing salad dressing.
- Add cooked onions to omelets, quiches, and frittatas.
- Mix diced onion, tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro with lime juice for a spicy guacamole dip.
- When making chili, add onions to kick up the flavor.
- Add caramelized onions to savory baked goods like focaccia, cornbread, and cheddar biscuits.
- Combine rice with caramelized onions and broth for a rice dish.
FAQs
Are spring onions as nutritious as regular onions?
Spring and bulb onions have the same nutrients, but spring onions contain more plant-derived antioxidants than regular onions. Furthermore, the leafy green part of spring onions is an excellent source of folic acid.
Can I eat raw onions?
Yes, you can eat uncooked onions. You can eat onions raw or cooked.
How do I stop onion cravings?
Eat some onions or eat foods that contain nutrients similar to onions. The craving will reduce over time.
Are onions healthier raw or cooked?
Onions are healthy, whether raw or cooked. However, raw onions contain more sulfur compounds, a good defense against cancer and high blood sugar.
How much onion should I eat a day?
One onion a day is healthy for you.
Does onion burn belly fat?
Onion ensures a healthy gut, crucial for weight loss and belly fat loss.
Are onions good for the skin?
Onions are excellent for skin maintenance, especially for oily and acne-prone skin. It reduces inflammation and prevents skin breakouts.
Does eating onion help hair growth?
Onions are widely known to reduce breakage and thinning of hair. You can add some onion juice to your shampoo at home.
Conclusion
While onions may often be considered a bad-breath food, they’re very beneficial to our health, and it is a great idea to include them in your meals.
If you suspect your craving is because of a sulfur deficiency or liver problem, see a doctor immediately, as consuming more onions may not take care of the problem.