You finished a nice dinner a couple of hours ago. You’re not really hungry, but now you’re thinking about having some kind of snack. The cravings for something sweet, salty or chocolate are getting stronger. Then you give in again, only to feel guilty and regretful a bit later after eating a snack or two.
What are food cravings?
Food cravings are an intense craving for a certain type of food. Food cravings can be an important signal to your body that it is deprived of a certain nutrient or mineral. This can often be associated with happy times in the past. Food cravings are common in pregnant women.
Cravings are not always related to hunger, but can be a response to other problems and concerns. Sometimes food cravings aren’t cravings at all, just bad habits.
Cravings can be a problem.
The problem with food cravings is that they often interfere with good nutrition. Cravings for junk food can be inherited, or cravings for sugar can be due to a biological cause. Carbohydrate craving is rarely just a behavioral problem. Your body has its mixed signals when you can’t control your desire to overeat.
In most cases, these food cravings are not true eating disorders, but instead are signs of a hormonal imbalance caused by a lack of healthy nutrition. It has been proven time and time again that eating healthy foods, adding pharmaceutical grade vitamins or supplements, and a moderate exercise program can miraculously cure food addiction problems.
Health problems can result.
This problem with food can cause us to choose unhealthy foods that can affect our general health and well-being and even shorten our life. Weight gain around your abdomen will increase your chances of developing a serious health condition.
If you’re in good health and not overweight, the cravings can be harmless but annoying. However, if you’re giving in to cravings for foods high in fat, sugar, or excess calories, you may be experiencing recent weight gain or a jump in your cholesterol levels.
Food cravings are common.
Most people experience a craving for a certain food. Chocolate is the number one food craved by women according to studies. Chocolate contains drug-like substances that act as stimulants, antidepressants, or mood alterers. Other common food cravings are ice cream, sweet foods, and sweets, with chocolate and pizza being the most popular.
