Ever craved for a Donut or some soda? To put it simply, that’s what you might call a food craving. They are not just weak moments of dietary habits, but are meaningful signals rooted in physiology, psychology, and environment. Understanding them can not only help you be healthy but also uplift your mood.

Don’t run from the craving

As Geneen Roth writes in her New York Times bestseller, Women, Food, and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything, “Your cues, including your cravings, give you insight into what your body is asking for.”

In short, ask yourself where the craving is coming from and then explore whether the feeling of craving can be met or lessened in other ways.

Use Alternatives

According to a study conducted by Cambridge University Hospitals, cravings act as mood stabilizers and can be reduced by engaging in alternative activities. In layman's terms, keep yourself busy.

• completing a task
• watching television
• going on the internet
• calling a friend
• going for a walk
• playing a game
• doing a crossword
• reading the paper
• spending time on a hobby

Do not be Afraid of it

Food freedom and holistic wellness coach Sloane Elizabeth expresses that her clients are often afraid of their cravings, and they don’t talk about them. She further explained that some of her clients are so afraid that they believe they will lose a sense of control.

Instead of fearing cravings, she suggests you celebrate them.

“Celebrate the fact that a craving is a line of communication to your body,” Elizabeth says. “It’s a beautiful thing to have that connection to your body.”

Modify Your Food Environment

Dr. Rajita Sinha, a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Yale University, found out that exposure is directly related to cravings, “Different things can trigger them – smells or visual cues, for example. In the case of food, our sensory systems trigger the motivational or reward pathways in the brain.”

Rajita expressed that one doesn’t need to be around food to experience a craving; even the mere thought of it can intensify cravings. Try to stay away from such cues to limit cravings.

Do let us know what you think of this! Also, share your tricks and tips around food cravings.

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Joyita Das