I read something this week that I can’t stop thinking about.

(I confess to being a bit of a history buff)

This comes from early medieval Ireland, written into the Brehon Laws.

One of the things they addressed was pregnancy cravings.

If a pregnant woman had a craving and her husband ignored it, he could be fined. And if she took a small amount of food to satisfy it from someone else’s provisions, it wasn’t even considered theft.

What stood out to me was the reasoning.

A craving wasn’t dismissed — it was treated as a meaningful signal from the body.

Modern science is still exploring this.

We see clear links in some cases — for example, iron deficiency is associated with pica (cravings for things like ice, clay, chalk), and those cravings often resolve once levels are corrected. Broader food cravings may also reflect underlying imbalances.

What those early laws got right wasn’t the “why.”

It was the attention.

And it made me pause — because now we often do the opposite.

We override. We push through. We normalize feeling off.

Especially when it comes to digestion.

I hear it all the time:

“I’m always bloated — I thought that was normal.”
“I crave sugar every afternoon.”
“I feel off after I eat.”

From a physiological standpoint, these patterns are rarely random.

Your gut is one of the main ways your body communicates with you.

That afternoon sugar craving is often an energy dip — not a need for sugar, but a need for stability.

The body is asking for something.

But the body doesn’t speak in perfect sentences.

It gives clues.

A simple place to start

The next time you feel a craving or that “off” feeling — pause:

• Did I sleep enough?
• Have I eaten balanced meals (protein, fat, fiber)?
• Have I had enough water?
• Have I moved or gotten outside?

You’re just learning to pay attention.

Supporting the shift into spring

As the weather warms, you may naturally want lighter foods. That’s worth listening to.

One simple way to support your gut is adding more fiber, fresh greens, and a bit of bitterness.

Warm Spring Asparagus & Arugula Lentil Salad

Ingredients​
– 1 cup cooked lentils
– 1 bunch asparagus
– 1 small carrot
– 2 handfuls arugula
– 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds or walnuts
– Olive oil, salt, pepper

Dressing​
– 1 tbsp tahini
– Juice of ½ lemon
– Splash of warm water
– Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Directions​
Roast or sauté asparagus until tender.
Combine with lentils and carrot, toss with dressing.
Fold in arugula and top with seeds or walnuts.

This mix of fiber, protein, and healthy fats helps stabilize blood sugar and support the microbiome.

A gentle reset for the week

Step outside within an hour of waking — even briefly.
Add a short walk and sip warm water or lemon water.

Simple, but effective for digestion, energy, and circadian rhythm.

Final thought

As the season changes, you might notice your body asking for something different — that’s worth paying attention to.

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.”​
— Simone Weil

With warmth,
​Dr.JC