FIGURE OUT FOOD CRAVING

   

A food craving is an intense desire for a specific food. This desire can seem uncontrollable and may cause a person to crave typically unhealthy foods. In some cases, food cravings may lead a person to desire junk foods. Food cravings are extremely common, with more than 90% of people experiencing them.

While nutrient deficiencies may be the cause of certain cravings, this is only true in the minority of cases. Generally speaking, cravings are more likely caused by various external factors that have nothing to do with your body calling for specific nutrients.

Hunger and Craving:

Yes, physical hunger is the body's need for nourishment, while a craving is a desire for specific food and may be emotionally driven. In general, hunger builds gradually, while cravings come on suddenly. And while hunger is more open-minded, cravings tend to target one food specifically.

 Unlike hunger, cravings occur when your body doesn't need food. Many factors can trigger cravings. Triggers might be environmental — the sight, smell, or sound of a food being made might start a craving. Stress, lack of sleep, hormones, and certain personality traits can also be involved.

Your daily habits and stress are major contributors to experiencing food cravings. From poor sleep to a stressful situation during the day, what goes on throughout your day can impact the foods you crave. During stressful times, you may find yourself craving comfort foods.

If older adults don't get enough carbs to fulfill their body's energy demands, they may crave sweeter foods. Urging elders to have a light bite even if they aren't hungry, and incorporating healthy fats, grains, and protein can all help to prevent unhealthy cravings.

If you do not provide optimum nutrition to your body during the day, it will crave food during the night. If your diet is low in protein, then you will definitely have hunger pangs by the end of the day.

Keep healthy snacks handy and make sure to have them about an hour before you're actually hungry in order to prevent low blood sugar. Getting enough sleep and cutting down on caffeine are two other things you can do to keep your blood sugar levels stable and your mind craving-free.