Food cravings: What do they mean?

Controlling the urge can be difficult, but it’s not impossible

For reasons still unknown, chocolate is one of the most commonly craved foods. Researchers say these cravings may be based in part on physiological reasons or emotional urges.

By Karen Collins SPECIAL TO MSNBC

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May 16 — Many people struggling to lose weight or eat more healthfully feel discouraged by food cravings that seem to undermine their good intentions. Food cravings are quite common, especially among women, according to a new review of the topic in the Journal of Nutrition. Many different factors may create food cravings, although which are the most important and how cravings should be dealt with are far from clear.

FOOD CRAVINGS are at least partly related to sensory appeal. Foods high in both sugar and fat are the most commonly craved foods, especially chocolate. An earlier report in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association notes that, although chocolate cravings are linked with sweet cravings, people who crave chocolate generally report that these cravings are not satisfied by other sweets.

A PHYSIOLOGICAL CAUSE?

Some research has found a physiological basis for cravings, according to the new Journal of Nutrition review. According to some studies, carbohydrates initiate a chain reaction that theoretically can change levels of neurotransmitters influencing mood.

Research with carbohydrate-cravers suggests that cravings for sweets may come with negative or depressed feelings that could be relieved as those levels change, but this idea is not universally accepted. Some studies, like one in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, suggest that carbohydrate snacks may not necessarily improve mood.

Uncomfortably low blood sugar may be another physiological cause for a craving for sweets as the body tries to normalize blood sugar levels.

Others propose that cravings may stem from nutritional deficiencies. For example, lack of adequate magnesium in the diet could be behind a chocolate craving. Chocolate is a good source of magnesium. But avocados and spinach are far more concentrated sources, and we rarely hear of people craving those foods.

Some cravings, especially for chocolate, also seem to fluctuate with hormonal changes before and during women’s menstrual periods.

THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS

A large body of research shows that thoughts and feelings about food are also strongly influenced by non-physical factors. People who go on diets that forbid certain foods almost always end up craving those foods.

According to a report in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, cravers are often more concerned about their weight than non-cravers. But is this because out-of-control cravings cause undesired weight gain, or because excess concern with weight and dieting leads to more cravings?

Not everyone experiences food cravings. But scientists say we should understand that for those who do, their cravings are real and should be respected.

TIPS FOR CONTROLLING CRAVINGS

For people whose cravings seem to be physiological, eating regular meals and not allowing hunger to become overwhelming can help prevent dropping blood sugar from acting as a trigger. Choosing whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes for most of the day’s carbohydrate will supply important nutrients and reduces roller-coaster effects on blood sugars.

For those who seem to crave foods in order to cope with their feelings, eating only small amounts of less-nutritious craved foods, along with a nutritionally balanced snack or meal, may be appropriate.

Some experts observe that the more we use certain foods to ease emotionally laden times, the more we condition ourselves to crave them in the future. For this reason, efforts to find other ways to ease emotional pain are likely worthwhile. Exercise, for example, has proven to have positive, mood-elevating effects.

Finally, don’t create cravings by making overly strict rules as you aim for healthy eating habits. No food needs to be eliminated in order to create a healthy diet - it’s how often and in what portion it is eaten that counts.

Yup! And for me, it's not just allowing myself to eat carby foods once in a while, it's relishing them and making sure that what I eat is really really good. I savor it and take my time. And I don't overindulge. A little bit does it and thus does not induce cravings.

;-Deb