My Strange Root Beer Cravings

If you listened to the beginning of last Monday’s show, you know that I have developed a curious craving for root beer. I typically drink less than a six pack of soda a year, usually only drinking it when there is no other reasonable option available; I’m lucky in that I really enjoy water, and I drink coffee.

When I was in western New York for my son’s hockey tournament, I started noticing that I had desire for soda. I got a Big Gulp from 7-11 and thought that would sate my desire for soda, but it didn’t. I figured I was getting this weird craving because I was away from home, out of my routine, and eating stuff (like fast food) that I normally wouldn’t eat. It made our drive back from Cooperstown on Sunday one with frequent stops; we must have stopped six times to get more root beer (I could have bought a twelve pack or 2 liter bottle, but the fountain root beer tastes so much better), and it made restaurants that don’t serve root beer (I’m looking at you, Mickey D’s) places unsuitable for stopping. I’ve been home for two weeks now and the cravings continue; I’m back in my routine, eating clean, exercising, and drinking a lot of water, but I still want root beer. I’ve racked my brains for any changes in my life that would cause such a reaction, have I started a new medication or eaten different foods, but the answer is no. Of course, I’ve turned to the all-knowing Internet for assistance, but the only thing I found that was remotely applicable was that craving soda in general can indicate a deficiency of calcium, but it wasn’t from a medical site; plus, I eat yogurt every day that is high in calcium, so I doubt it’s that. Almost all the other sites that deal with root beer cravings are pregnancy-related message boards and even then, no one ever answered the poster’s question. So, I have no idea what has come over me, but I hope that it goes away soon.

Have you ever had a random craving for a specific food or drink? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.