A nutrient-dense food that is high in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants is tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum).
Among them are lycopene, lutein, potassium, carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folic acid.
A hunger for tomatoes or tomato-based goods may be brought on by a nutritional shortage brought on by dieting or restricted eating.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Meal cravings, which are frequently associated with an intense need for a certain food or food type, are not uncommon.
✅ Tomatophagia is the term for an uncontrollable desire for tomatoes or tomato-based items.
✅ Nutritional inadequacies can occasionally be linked to tomatophagia, especially in pregnant women.
✅ Even though raw tomatoes are low in iron, they may also happen in patients who have anemia due to iron deficiency.
What makes people crave tomatoes?
During pregnancy, cravings for a variety of foods, including tomatoes, are typical. Although there isn’t a clear reason why cravings of any kind during pregnancy happen, they could be brought on by hormonal shifts or nutritional deficiencies. Tomatophagia is one example of a food craving that may result from iron deficiency anemia.
This illness is brought on by a deficiency of healthy red blood cells. The following are signs of iron deficiency anemia: fatigue, weakness, pale complexion, and cold hands, and feet.
Should I visit a doctor regarding my obsession?
If you believe you may be iron deficient, schedule a visit with your physician. By taking iron supplements on your own, you shouldn’t attempt to remedy an iron deficiency. This is due to the possibility of liver damage from consuming too much iron.
You can be lacking in nutrients if you crave tomatoes when pregnant. To find out if your diet has to be modified, discuss it with your OB/GYN. Prenatal vitamins are a smart option to add to your diet when you’re pregnant. These frequently include high levels of folate, a crucial nutrient present in tomatoes.
If you consume a lot of tomatoes and notice that the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands have yellow skin, you should also visit a doctor. This could be lycopenemia or carotenemia, two disorders brought on by consuming too many foods high in carotene.
What’s the general treatment for tomato cravings?
There are things you can do on your own to help curb tomato cravings if there is no underlying medical reason for them:
- Maintain a food journal. Make sure to include the amounts of everything you eat and drink in your list. This might assist you in identifying dietary and symptom patterns.
- Consume a healthy diet. By doing this, you can make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need and avoid deficiencies.
- Consume additional meals that contain the same nutrients as tomatoes. This will contribute to a well-rounded diet while assisting in the prevention of carotenemia or lycopenemia.
Vitamins C and A can be found in the following foods:
- kiwi fruit
- strawberries
- papaya
- red peppers
- green peppers
- oranges, apples
- and guava fruit.
Try these to increase potassium:
- Bananas
- sweet potatoes
- white potatoes
- melons
- spinach
- beets
- and white beans are just a few examples.
In conclusion
An underlying disease, such as iron deficiency anemia, may be the cause of tomatophagia. Carotenemia or lycopenemia can also be brought on by consuming excessive amounts of tomatoes or tomato-based products.
Your doctor should examine you if you consume excessive amounts of tomatoes in order to rule out any underlying medical conditions. This need for eating could also be caused by nutritional inadequacies. If you have excessive tomato hankering, especially if you’re pregnant, consult your physician or a nutritionist.