How to Recognize and Respond Appropriately to Food Cravings
We all get them. Those cravings for a particular snack, be it a piece of fruit, a doughnut, ice cream, or pizza. The trick is in weighing what we want against what we need, and it's not always easy.
Comfort
The term "comfort food" is not just a label. It's a physiological fact that our bodies associate certain foods with stress relief over time, and these foods tend to be calorie-laden products with little to no nutritional value that burn quickly, giving us an artificial "high." They may be an effective mechanism for relieving stress, but they're not a wise choice given that healthier stress-relief methods are available. It's a good idea to put our cravings in context: the desire for doughnuts that comes before or after an important business meeting is in all probability stress-induced.
Need
Sometimes our bodies simply need a certain type of food to function, and a craving for that type is a healthy response to the lack of it in our diet. This generally won't be a stress-induced craving, but rather a desire for something that hasn't been consumed in some time, such as fruit or meat.
Sweet or Not?
It's generally accepted that women crave chocolate more then men, and now studies have confirmed that sweets are more likely to be the craving of choice among females while males desire protein such as meat. These preferences aren't always stress-related, and may just be a matter of hormone balance. Of course, everyone is different and this doesn't apply directly to every person, so it's still a good idea to look at other factors aside from gender when craving sweets as opposed to protein.
Habits
The consumption of certain types of food at particular times or during certain activities all comes down to patterns and habits. Sometimes we simply eat what we don't need because it feels good, and it's what we do when stressed or enjoying something. This isn't necessarily bad in itself, as long as we recognize why we're eating what we're eating.
In general, it's good to be aware of our motivation when it comes to what we're craving. Always consider the context and decide appropriately if you're eating for mental satisfaction or physical well being.