Cravings are something we have all experienced. Whether it is a juicy cheeseburger, a thick slice of luscious chocolate cake, or McDonald’s French fries, we’ve all been there! What causes cravings? What is the difference between a craving and an addiction? Is there anything you can do to fight them when they hit?

Webster’s definition of "crave" is "to long for; desire eagerly". Nutritionists define a food craving as something we "want" but don’t "need". So, if you are actually hungry and thinking about what you want to eat, that is not a craving. If you are up late at night watching television, and you are not hungry, but can’t stop thinking about having a piece of that left over birthday cake – that is a craving.

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So what causes us to want something like that when we aren’t hungry? Research has shown several different possibilities for this phenomenon. Cravings can be dictated by biology in that certain chemicals in our bodies cause us to seek out fat, salt, sugar or even protein. There is also strong evidence that cravings are psychological in nature, being caused by fond childhood memories, or beloved traditions. Cravings can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies, although this is uncommon today except during pregnancy. Genetics seem to play a part in what we crave as well. I personally have seen this in my children. My son was born with a sweet tooth, and my daughter is more interested in salty foods. In addition, by depriving yourself of a favorite food you can cause a craving for that food.

So, how do cravings differ from an addiction? An addiction is when you cannot satisfy the desire. If you crave chocolate, you can have a small piece and most likely be satisfied. If you are addicted to alcohol, you are never satisfied and always want more.

There are some things you can do to combat food cravings. First, don’t ignore a craving! That’s right, give in and have what you crave. Just don’t go overboard! I’m a huge chocoholic, and have discovered that keeping it available on my desk at work in the form of miniature chocolate bars actually helps me fight the craving. First, I’m not depriving myself – it’s there and available if I want it. And second, if I feel the craving very strongly, one miniature chocolate bar will usually do the trick. Also, don’t allow yourself to become too hungry. Eat at least 4 to 5 times per day.

Excessive hunger will cause cravings for the wrong kinds of food. When I’m really starving, nothing sounds better than a juicy cheeseburger and French fries! If you seem to be eating for comfort, look at what is causing the emotional distress and work on a cure. For instance, if you are stressed out and find yourself eating because of that, figure out what is causing the stress and try to eliminate it. It is also possible that you are putting yourself in situations that will trigger a craving. I don’t know how many times I’ve been watching television, not hungry at all, and a commercial for ice cream or something will come on and cause me to want it! Avoiding situational triggers can significantly reduce those unwanted cravings.

Cravings are not something we can get rid of entirely. So take the time to think about what is causing your cravings. Don’t ignore them, give yourself a little of what you want to see if that ends the craving. And avoid situations that are obvious triggers for what you crave.

Life is too short to not enjoy what you eat! So try and take at least one day a week, whether you are trying to lose weight or not, and eat what you want. This one thing alone will significantly reduce your cravings during the rest of the week.

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