Why Am I Craving Onions? Have you noticed yourself reaching for onions lately and thought, “That’s odd”? It might seem like a strange craving, but there’s more going on beneath the surface. Our bodies have clever ways of telling us what they need, and food cravings are one of them. Wanting onions could be your body’s way of saying it needs a little extra care – maybe in the form of nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, or even potassium.
But nutrition isn’t always the only reason we crave certain foods. Let’s take a closer look at some of the surprising reasons behind your onion cravings.
6 Possible Reasons You’re Craving Onions
1. You like the taste
When you crave onions, it’s probably because they taste delicious and you want to enjoy a plate of white rice with a pile of onions. Doesn’t red onion make food more delicious and delicious, that’s probably why you crave red onions.
2. You like the smell
The smell of raw onions is not pleasant, but when you fry it, the aroma will be very exciting. When you smell the aroma, you certainly like the fragrance.
So, if you haven’t had onions in a while and suddenly think about them, it’s only natural to start craving them.
3. You’re pregnant
Pregnant women often experience changes in their nutritional needs, which can trigger cravings for different kinds of foods. While some might find themselves craving ice cream or pineapple, others may develop an unusual craving for onions during pregnancy.
Interestingly, eating onions while pregnant is often linked to several health benefits. Onions are known to support the immune system and may even help prevent stomach ulcers during pregnancy. Because of these benefits, onions (particularly red onions) can be considered a valuable addition to a healthy pregnancy diet.
That being said, it’s important to enjoy onions in moderation. Eating too much can lead to unwanted side effects like diarrhea, heartburn, or even allergic reactions.
My sister, Aminah, had one of the most unusual cravings during her pregnancy—she couldn’t stop thinking about red onions. At first, we all thought it was just a phase. But it got to the point where she wanted red onions with almost every meal. She even started adding extra slices of raw onion to her favorite dishes, which none of us expected.
When we asked her about it, she said the smell alone made her mouth water, and somehow, it made her feel less nauseous during those tough first-trimester mornings. She joked that her baby must love onions.
Curious, we looked into it and found out that craving onions during pregnancy isn’t all that rare. It could be the body’s way of asking for certain nutrients, like vitamin C or folate, which are found in red onions. Of course, we reminded her not to go overboard—too much raw onion gave her a bit of heartburn—but she said a little onion in her food made her feel more satisfied and helped her appetite.
In the end, we all laughed about it, but it was a good reminder of how pregnancy cravings can be surprising and, sometimes, even beneficial—if handled in moderation.
4. You’re unwell
If you’re not feeling well, chances are you’re craving onions. Onions are a source of vitamin C which can boost immunity. So, when the body is weak and unhealthy, the body sometimes craves onions to feel better.
In addition, eating onions can also make the feeling of nausea go away and relieve headaches.
5. You may have a liver problem
A person with poor liver health will crave anions. Heart health that is not good will decrease its performance and the body as a whole will feel sick and sluggish.
We know that in carrying out its daily functions, the liver needs sulfur, including to remove toxins, and regulates the body’s hormone production. So, when conditions are like this, your body craves onions to get sulfur and can feel better.
So, when you are craving onions, this indicates that your liver is lacking the source of the sulfur it needs to carry out its functions properly.
Is your heart sick, there are some symptoms that are easy to know that your heart is in bad condition. Among them are white nails and eyes that look yellow, red spots around the eyebrows, a very dark pee, yellowish or light poop, and swelling on the legs and ankles. If you experience these signs, you should immediately check with your doctor.
These symptoms are not only symptoms of the liver, but also the possibility of other diseases. So, checking your health is the best way.
6. Nutrient deficiencies
Someone who is craving onions can also be a sign that he is lacking in nutrition.
Onions are foods that are rich in potassium, folate, vitamin B6, manganese, fiber, and vitamin C. When craving red onions, your body is looking for the nutrients it needs from onions.
Benefits of Eating Onions Regularly
Onions have many health benefits, one of which is being able to lower bad cholesterol. This one spice also contains nutrients that can stimulate HDL to remove LDL. This will improve blood circulation, prevent stroke, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease.
1. Contains antiseptic properties
Onions contain flavonoids, and these are associated with the risk of several types of cancer such as reducing the risk of colorectal cancer and stomach cancer.
2. Blood sugar regulation
Raw onions can control type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For those of you who like to eat a lot, be careful with diabetes. One way to prevent this generative disease is by eating onions or garlic.
3. Good for skin and hair health
Onions are a source of vitamins C and A, and these are great for keeping your skin and hair healthy.
A gel containing onion extract, when rubbed on the skin, can repair scars.
4. Boost bone health
The next benefit of eating shallots is improving bone health. [healthline]
It should be noted that onions are one of the active ingredients that can prevent bone breakdown and increase bone mass, so that your bones are denser and stronger.
5. It may help improve sleep
If you can’t sleep, then you must eat more onions. Sometimes, cravings for onions also appear because you often can’t sleep well.
By consuming a lot of onions (a medium portion), you can improve sleep quality and satisfy your cravings.
Onions contain prebiotics whose benefits are to reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Someone who gets enough sleep will also usually be relieved and at peace, and away from stress. [blog.providence.org]
Are You Craving Onions? How To Eat It
How do you eat red onions? Like this, it is difficult for some people unless they are craving. Here are some ways to add more onions to your diet.
- Add more onions to sauté dishes
- Fresh onion buns, add chopped and fried onions to add to the flavor.
- Try mixing grated onion with rice vinegar, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and sprinkle on a salad, it will freshen up your salad. You can also add it to a house salad with more vegetables.
- Cooked onions can be added to your omelets, frittatas, and quiches.
- If you like to eat guacamole, try mixing it with chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime juice.
- When you make the chili, add some onions for flavor.
- When grilling food, add caramelized onions. This is perfect when you bake focaccia, cheddar biscuits and cornbread.
If you eat rice, also mix the caramelized onions with your rice, and add stock to add to the delicious taste.
Check out more craving articles:
- Why Am I Craving Pickles?
- Why Am I Craving Sour Candy?
- Why Am I Craving Apples? 11 Top Reasons Behind It
FAQs about Craving Onions
Are spring onions as nutritious as regular onions?
Spring and bulb onions are both rich in nutrients, but spring onions have more antioxidants from vegetable sources than regular onions. Meanwhile, the leafy green part of spring onions is an excellent source of folic acid.
Can I eat raw onions?
Yes, you can eat raw onions, but limit your intake to avoid stomach irritation.
How do I stop onion cravings?
Are you still craving onions? You can eat onions to satisfy your cravings. But if the cravings decrease, you can stop eating onions and try to accompany them with other fruits.
Does onion burn belly fat?
Eating onions can nourish the intestines and supply nutrients to the maximum and also function in burning more calories in the body.
Are onions good for the skin?
It’s true, onions are good for skin health, especially for oily and acne-prone skin. Eating onions can also minimize the potential for skin inflammation.
Does eating onions help hair growth?
Onions are useful for stimulating hair growth, you can add onion juice in your shampoo, this will stimulate your hair to be thicker.
Are onions healthier raw or cooked?
Onions are equally beneficial for health, but raw onions are richer in sulfur, which is good for the body’s defense against cancer and stabilizes blood sugar.
How much onion should I eat a day?
If you want to maintain health through onions, eating one onion every day is enough.
Final Thoughts
Craving onions might seem unusual, but as we’ve seen, it’s often your body’s way of signaling certain needs—whether it’s nutrition, comfort, or even gut health. Like my sister Aminah’s story, sometimes it’s best to listen to your body, but always in balance.
Have you ever experienced a strange food craving like this? Share your story in the comments or talk to your healthcare provider if you’re curious about what your cravings might mean for your body.
