h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Does hunger for certain types of food act as a barometer for our body's dietary needs? Malnutrition certainly exists in developed countries with no shortage of food, so it's clearly not a perfect system. On the other hand, many people give no active thought whatsoever to their diets (myself included) but suffer no significant health issues because of it. Does that mean that we're unconsciously answering our body's needs without the need for thought?

I sometimes get a craving for seafood and will go out just to buy some. Perhaps the body knows it neeeds salt or minerals in seafood?

When I was pregnant last time I craved red meat, leafy green vegetables, and cream/milk - so I assume my body thought it needed more iron and calcium.

Yeah, I'd heard that sort of thing too, that when you're in need of certain things, you crave foods rich in it, especially in pregnancy. Though not sure what there is in marshmallows or crisps or some of the other unhealthy things. Think maybe unhealthy foods come from the comfort eating thing.

Well, they certainly contain plenty of quick-access energy. In our evolutionary history, that's precisely the kind of stuff that would be rare, so we crave it even when we don't strictly 'need' it. At least, that's my impression.

True. Quick sugar fix. Need that all the time!

On a more cynical note, I read recently that small children start salivating when they see a McDonald's label.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/08/07/mcdonalds-advertising.html

The power of advertising.

Interesting article. Can be so true. I've heard people requesting Heinz ketchup, McVities digestives and other brand names over a shop's own brand. Probably not much in it really.

I heard that some crisps for M&S and Tesco are made in the same factory as McCoys crisps. They're all the exact same crisps, just in different wrappers. When there's a mix-up and some Tesco bags end up in a M&S multipack, customers complain of the "lower standard".

glad to see too that McDonalds give fruit, juices and other healthier stuff with Happy Meals.

i would tend to agree with the what has been said in the header post and subsequently. cravings probably do reflect underlying dietary needs in a crude way.

i would go further and suggest that the diseases caused by indolence and over eating are themselves examples of biological feedback. since it is dangerous for a species to be dominated by the genes of a small number of individuals, nature 'retards' these successful individuals by compounding what are otherwise indicators of success- plentiful food intake and reduced exposure to injury from hunting and gathering- by increasing their appetite and laziness. the net effects of which are increased mortality.

so while the header post speculates that nature might be telling you what you need to survive and stay well, it might also be possible the same biological urges compel you to slow down or die.

Possibly. Overeating defibately seems to be a big (no pun intended) issue especially here in the west with such high obesity rates, and all those cancers, liver amnd heart problms caused by excesses of various things.

We can afford more and eat too much and our systems can't cope coz people aren't as active as they once were.

I think your body *can* tell you, if you listen and the arguments for the body's drive actually pushing an overly-abundantly supplied body into stopping/shutting down is quite compelling...

We cartainly arent as good at 'self medicating' as even our most domesticated pets. Dogs, cats, horses etc will still try to gain access to plants and so on that supply trace elements they need, horses may lick salt blocks or specific types of earth for minerals they are deficient in.

My body certain often tells me I'm tired and need sleep, or hungry and need food.... Not really sure if it ever specifically aims one food desires towards those we may be lacking in, but then again I probably eat far too much, at least its a balanced/varied diet, so I doubt I'm lacking much in the way of nutrients I do have an overwealing urge to drink G&T with a slice of lemon quite a lot though

>>i would tend to agree with the what has been said in the header post and subsequently. cravings probably do reflect underlying dietary needs in a crude way.<<

i saw a docu. on chimps and this happens to them....

they are happy on thier diet then suddenly get savage and hunt down smaller chimps and eat them then after they have had some extra protien
they are happy again

I agree with Robyn, that if you pay attention your body you can know what you need. Also the more you eat what you are evolved to eat the better your body will get at knowing what it needs. Yes we are evolved to crave sugar but in the form of small amounts of carbohydrates in grains and sugars in wild fruits, not sugar cane and sucaryl. Eating highly processed foods makes it harder to know what is going on in your body.