Here's What It Means If You're Suddenly Craving Milk

Milk is the first and only food infants receive during their first few months of life. However, if you've got several birthdays under your belt and somehow have an insatiable milk craving, you're probably wondering what's going on.

Generally speaking, food cravings are messages and can be prompted by several things. "Food cravings are very common and can be brought on by a variety of mental and physical factors," says Brittany Werner, MS, RDN, the director of coaching at Working Against Gravity, an online nutrition coaching company.

These can be environmental, like smelling hot cocoa as you walk by a stand at a winter festival. Also? Comfort food isn't a misnomer.

"Our mood and stress levels can also play a role in cravings," Werner adds. "Often, when we’re in a high-stress state, we crave comfort foods. Physical factors such as hormonal shifts—hello, PMS—poor hydration, eating a highly processed diet, nutrient deficiencies and an imbalance in your hunger hormones are all common triggers for food cravings."

OK, but why milk? We asked experts to share common answers to the question, "Why do I crave milk as an adult?"

Related: These Are the 10 Healthiest Cheeses, According to Registered Dietitians

Why am I Craving Milk?

1. You're thirsty

Milk has quite a few important nutrients—and we'll get to those. However, the cause of your milk craving may be straightforward. "One of the main reasons you may be craving milk is to quench your thirst," Werner says. "Milk is about 87% water."

A telltale sign you may need hydration to squash your milk craving? "Your urine color," Werner says. "You're likely getting enough water if it’s pale yellow and odorless."

2. You're hungry

Yep, you may need to fill up on food, even if your mind is telling you to "drink up."

"Milk provides a good source of protein, carbohydrates and some fat, depending on the percentage you are purchasing," says Courtney Pelitera, MS, RD, CNSC, a registered dietitian specializing in sports nutrition and wellness nutrition for Top Nutrition Coaching. "This creates a complete nutrient profile that is filling, provides good nutrients and satisfies cravings."

3. You have a sugar craving

You may be craving something sweet. Surprised that a milk craving may be sending this message? "Milk contains a natural sugar called lactose," Werner explains.

OK, but why the sugar craving? "Sugar cravings are often brought on by stress or hormone imbalances," Werner says.

4. It's a habit

Sipping a tall glass of milk may be something you associate with a particular food or mood.

"You might crave milk with it as a cognitive response to eating a certain food because you have always eaten this particular food with milk," Pelitera says. "A good example of this is cereal, traditionally paired with milk, or a warm chocolate chip cookie, also often paired with a glass of milk."

"Milk is a comfort food provided often in early childhood," Pelitera says. "For example, your mom heating up some warm milk when you are not feeling well or cannot sleep. This might cause cravings due to the association of milk being comforting during stressful times."

5. You've got heartburn

Your brain may be speaking on behalf of your stomach—but not because you're hungry.

"Heartburn often occurs due to the acidity of certain foods we consume," Pelitera says. "Milk has basic properties that help in reducing acidity in the stomach. Therefore, when you crave milk, your body is trying to reduce the acidity naturally."

6. You have a micronutrient deficiency

You likely know milk is an excellent calcium source, vital to bone health, but there's more to it. "Milk is loaded with micronutrients that we need each day to feel our best, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and zinc," Werner says.

A milk craving may be a sign that you're deficient in one of these nutrients. However, drinking more milk isn't the only solution to this. "Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can help prevent these deficiencies," Werner says.

7. You're actively avoiding milk and it's backfiring

The body can work in funny ways, can't it? "Psychologically, if you are trying to reduce the amount of dairy you are consuming or avoid it altogether, studies have shown that this increases cravings even more," Pelitera says. "This might especially occur if you are trying to avoid all dairy sources such as cheese, yogurt and butter as well."

Related: These Are the 20 Healthiest Vegetables Of All Time, According to Registered Dietitians

How Much Milk Is Too Much?

It's not a hard and fast answer. Werner points to the United States Department of Agriculture recommendations, which say a person's optimal daily milk intake is based on many factors, including age, sex, height and dairy tolerance.

"Toddlers and children need about 1 to 2.5 cups a day, and an adult needs increase to about 3 cups per day," Werner says.

TL;DR It's OK to satisfy milk cravings by "giving in" and having a glass. Milk provides vital nutrients and perhaps even some comfort. However, a well-balanced diet is important, too.

Related: Here's Exactly What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Bone Broth Every Day

How to Stop Milk Cravings

First, eat and drink up. "The most effective way to stop milk cravings include hydrating well throughout the day," Pelitera says. "Another way to avoid milk cravings would be to make sure you are eating enough carbohydrates, healthy fat sources and protein throughout the day. Starting your day with a healthy, well-rounded breakfast will help with these cravings."

You may want to ditch some foods, though. "Avoiding spicy foods and foods high in acidity such as tomato sauce, high amounts of coffee, citrus fruits and vinegar-based foods will help to reduce the milk cravings by preventing heartburn," Pelitera says.

Besides nutrients, some other lifestyle habits can help squash cravings, too. "Practicing stress management and getting the recommended 7+ hours of sleep each night will help curb food cravings," Werner says.

Next up: 7 Things That Happen If You Don't Eat Enough Vegetables

Sources

• Brittany Werner, MS, RDN, the director of coaching at Working Against Gravity

• Courtney Pelitera, MS, RD, CNSC, a registered dietitian specializing in sports nutrition and wellness nutrition for Top Nutrition Coaching

• The Psychology of Food Cravings: the Role of Food Deprivation. Current Nutrition Reports.

• Dairy. United States Department of Agriculture.