Ladies, let’s talk about food cravings. No, we’re not talking about those special type of cravings that you get when you’re pregnant (has anyone else heard of pregnant women eating coal?). We’re talking about those regular ‘omg-pass-me-a-dairy-milk-now!’ cravings.
Why do we crave certain foods at certain times? And, more importantly, what does that 3pm pizza craving mean?
Believe it or not, there’s an entire science when it comes to interpreting food cravings. According to experts, every single bit of food in the world corresponds to a certain mood. When your cravings are out of control it’s because you want to feel a certain way. So if you have a strong craving, chances are you’re also experiencing a strong emotion at the same time.
Simply put, we crave the foods that will make us feel a certain way.
It’s important to distinguish between hunger and cravings. If you’re just hungry, you can basically grab any kind of food, eat it and feel satisfied. But when you’re craving a certain type of food, for example chocolate, you could eat a mountain of pasta but still have a desire for chocolate at the end of it all.
So if you find yourself craving something random like a block of cheese, what way are you trying to feel?
Here are the most popular foods that we crave and why we crave them so badly…
What is your chocolate craving trying to tell you?
Chocolate: Ah chocolate. Here at Her.ie Headquarters we pretty much crave chocolate all day long, but did you know that when you have a hankering for a slab of the dark stuff, a hug could take the desire away? When we crave chocolate it simply means that we’re in need of some love, intimacy and a bit of romance. So put down that bar and give himself a smooch instead. Or why not take some chocolate into the bedroom with your man and have the best of both worlds?
Dairy-laden foods: Ice cream, yoghurts, cheese, milkshakes – craving foods that are high in dairy means that you’re lacking in the happiness department and need a nutrient buzz that will perk you up and get you smiling. Dairy foods are full of comforting Choline and the stimulant Tyramine – these coupled with carbohydrates encourages your brain to produce serotonin, the happy chemical.
Bread and Pasta: Bread and pasta are full of carbs and are the ultimate source of comfort when it comes to food. Craving a bowl of pasta or a thick slice of white bread smothered in butter? Try expressing your feelings and having a natter with a friend instead. A good talk could get that craving right out of your system.
Something Savoury: Sometimes there’s nothing better than a bag of crisps and if you’ve ever had a crisp craving, you know that this is one that is super hard to ignore. If you find yourself searching the house for a packet of Tayto, chances are you’re suffering from some severe stress (if you realise it or not). Salty, crunchy foods like crisps give you a physical outlet for stress (chomping them with your jaw) and the savoury taste helps to ease your stress levels.
Spicy Food: Fancy a curry so hot it’ll make steam come out of your ears? You could be feeling bored with your life. Apparently we crave hot and spicy food when we’re feeling stuck and fed up with the status quo.
