Does it mean anything to crave potatoes?

January 7, 2026 •

3 min read

According to research from Digbi Health, cravings for high-carb, low-protein foods like potatoes can be influenced by specific gut bacteria that crave these foods to thrive, potentially affecting mood-regulating hormones like serotonin. This suggests that what we crave can be a complex interplay between our gut and brain, extending beyond simple willpower.

Quick Summary

Craving potatoes may indicate a need for nutrients like potassium and vitamin B6, an energy boost from carbohydrates, or a need for emotional comfort during stress. It could also be linked to blood sugar fluctuations, dehydration, or simply a deep-seated enjoyment of the food.

Key Points

Nutrient Deficiencies: Craving potatoes can signal a need for potassium, a key electrolyte lost during sweating and needed for muscle function.
Energy Boost: As a source of carbohydrates, potatoes can be craved when the body needs a quick energy source, often due to fatigue or intense exercise.
Emotional Comfort: The nostalgia and hearty nature of potatoes make them a classic comfort food sought after during periods of stress, anxiety, or boredom.
Gut-Brain Connection: Specific gut bacteria can influence eating behaviors and may drive cravings for carbohydrates, impacting mood-related hormones.
Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Swings in blood sugar levels can trigger carb cravings as the body tries to quickly restore balance.
Pregnancy Cravings: Hormonal shifts and increased nutritional demands during pregnancy can lead to intensified cravings for starchy vegetables like potatoes.
Habit and Conditioning: A simple habit of eating potatoes with meals or a learned preference for their taste and texture can also drive cravings.

The Body's Signal: Nutritional Needs and Potato Cravings

While a craving for a particular food often feels random, it can sometimes be a sign that your body is seeking specific nutrients. Potatoes, especially with their skin, are rich in key vitamins and minerals that can influence cravings. Here’s a closer look at the nutritional reasons behind why you might be craving them.

Potassium and Electrolyte Balance

One of the most well-documented connections to potato cravings is the body's need for potassium. Potatoes are a significant source of this crucial electrolyte, which is vital for proper muscle function, nerve signaling, and maintaining fluid balance.

Replenishing Electrolytes: Strenuous exercise, excessive sweating, or dehydration can lead to a loss of electrolytes, including potassium, which may trigger a craving for salty or high-potassium foods.
Low Potassium: Some individuals, like those on specific diets or with certain health conditions, can experience low potassium levels, causing them to seek out potato-rich dishes.

Carbohydrates for Energy

As a rich source of carbohydrates, potatoes provide the body with a quick and efficient fuel source. The desire for carbs often stems from a need for an energy boost.

Sleep Deprivation: Not getting enough sleep can disrupt energy levels and cause the body to crave simple carbohydrates to fuel a tired brain and body.
Intense Activity: Active individuals and athletes may find themselves craving potatoes to replenish glucose stores used during exercise.

Vitamin B6 and Mood Regulation

Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6, which plays a role in the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. A craving for potatoes could be a subconscious attempt by the body to support mood and well-being.

The Mind-Body Connection: Psychological Factors

Beyond nutritional deficits, psychological and emotional factors are powerful drivers of food cravings, especially for comforting and nostalgic foods like potatoes.

Comfort and Nostalgia

For many, potatoes are deeply intertwined with childhood memories of home-cooked meals and family gatherings. Craving mashed potatoes or fries can be a form of seeking emotional comfort and well-being, especially during times of stress or sadness. This phenomenon, known as "heart hunger," is a response to feelings of loneliness or emptiness.

Stress and the Gut-Brain Axis

Chronic stress has been shown to be a major trigger for food cravings, as certain foods can provide a temporary feeling of reward and pleasure. Research suggests a fascinating link between the gut and the brain, where specific gut bacteria can influence eating behaviors and cravings. Some studies indicate that a gene variant (MAOA) can cause stress to deplete 'feel-good' hormones like serotonin faster, leading the body to crave carbs and other foods to help replenish them. You can read more about this complex interplay in this article from Digbi Health on gut bacteria and cravings.

Habit and Conditioning

Sometimes, a craving is simply a habit. If you are accustomed to eating a potato-based side dish with your meals, your body may be conditioned to expect and desire it. Similarly, the consumption of hyperpalatable foods, rich in fat, sugar, and salt, can train the brain to crave them more frequently.

Comparison: Nutritional vs. Psychological Cravings


Factor	Nutritional Craving	Psychological Craving
Underlying Cause	Lack of specific nutrients (potassium, magnesium, carbs)	Emotional state (stress, boredom, sadness) or habit
Symptom	Fatigue, muscle cramps, dizziness, or intense, specific hunger	Feeling of emptiness, seeking comfort, or boredom
Craving Type	Usually for the whole food, regardless of preparation	Often for a specific preparation (e.g., salty fries, mashed potatoes)
Solution	Include potassium-rich foods or increase carb intake	Address the underlying emotional trigger, distract, or find non-food coping mechanisms
Aftermath	Satiety and replenished energy	Temporary satisfaction, followed by potential guilt

Conclusion: Decoding Your Potato Cravings

Craving potatoes is rarely a sign of serious medical issues, but it is a meaningful signal from your body. Whether it is a nudge for more potassium and carbohydrates or a cry for emotional comfort, understanding the root cause is the first step towards a balanced response. By paying attention to your body's signals, assessing your emotional state, and considering your overall diet and lifestyle, you can satisfy your craving in a mindful way that supports your long-term health and well-being. Sometimes it's a simple fix, and other times it's an opportunity to explore a deeper emotional need. Ultimately, acknowledging the complex drivers behind cravings empowers you to make healthier, more informed choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

While potatoes are a good source of potassium and cravings can sometimes indicate a deficiency, it's not a definitive sign. Dehydration, heavy sweating, or high-salt diets can also contribute to the craving, but you should consult a doctor if you have concerns about your potassium levels.

Yes, stress can definitely cause a craving for potatoes. As a source of carbohydrates and a common comfort food, potatoes can trigger a dopamine release that temporarily soothes emotional distress.

Craving plain potatoes often points towards a need for carbs or potassium, while craving potato chips adds a layer of fat and high sodium. The salt craving can indicate electrolyte imbalance, and the fat adds to the 'hyperpalatable' addictive nature of junk foods.

Yes, it is common for pregnant women to crave starchy foods like potatoes. This can be due to hormonal changes, increased energy demands, and the need for key nutrients like potassium, fiber, and folate, which potatoes provide.

To manage cravings, ensure you're eating enough nutrient-dense foods to prevent energy slumps. Try distractions like exercise or a hobby, and focus on incorporating healthier, high-fiber carb sources like whole grains and legumes into your diet.

Emerging research suggests a link between gut bacteria and food cravings, with some bacteria preferring high-carb diets. These bacteria can influence the gut-brain axis and affect levels of mood-regulating hormones, potentially driving cravings.

Craving potatoes is not inherently unhealthy, as potatoes offer valuable nutrients like potassium and vitamin C. However, if cravings are linked to stress, emotional eating, or a reliance on heavily processed potato products, it may be beneficial to address the underlying cause.