From cakes and sweets to crisps and bread, many of us have a guilty pleasure. But why do we get such intense food cravings?
An urge to chow down on chocolate or break open a packet of crisps could be your body’s way of alerting you to something.
Some experts have suggested nutrient deficiencies are to blame for cravings, while others say it’s as simple as associating the snacks you enjoy with pleasure.
Here, MailOnline reveals what your food cravings might, and might not, mean.
From cakes and sweets to crisps and bread, many of us have a guilty pleasure but why do we get such intense food cravings? (stock image)
Cake or something sweet
Whether it’s cakes, gummy bears or biscuits, those with a sweet tooth know the feeling of a sugar craving all too well.
But whatever your vice, your urge for a sweet treat has likely been triggered by your body’s sugar levels crashing after a peak.
As you eat, your blood sugar goes up and insulin is released.
And according to experts, if you are eating refined sugar and carbs they will hit your bloodstream fast and cause an imbalance in blood sugar.
The body will then release more insulin to deal with the rapid blood sugar rise.
Nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville said: ‘Once dealt with, the blood sugar levels will drop, but because you’ve generated the release of so much insulin, the levels will drop too low and you will soon feel like snacking on a bar of chocolate.
‘The more sweets you eat, the more you will crave them – it is a catch 22.’
And Dr Duane Mellor, one of Britain’s top dietary researchers, says: ‘In terms of general drivers to eat, these are linked to calorie density e.g. sweet and fat.
‘The idea of the pudding tummy, in that when we are full, as our biology has evolved not being assured of the next meal, [so] our body will tend to encourage us to eat calorie-dense foods, such as desserts at the end of a meal.’
And nutritionist Melissa Snover, founder of vitamin brand Nourished, said similar can apply to craving fruit.
‘This can be one of the healthiest cravings to have as long as fruit is eaten in moderation with a balanced diet so that your sugar levels don’t then spike too high,’ she added.
To curb your sugar cravings, Dr Glenville advises taking a chromium supplement.
Chromium is a trace metal, found in the body in the form of trivalent chromium, which may play a role in normal insulin function.
Crisps or something salty
Some people are more partial to a crisp craving than a cake one.
And your desire for something salty could mean your electrolytes are low.
Electrolytes potassium and sodium maintain a balance of body fluids and keep muscles and nerves running smoothly.
And salty foods are high in sodium, so experts suggest these cravings are your body’s way of telling you sodium is needed — albeit in small quantities.
Ms Wilkinson said: ‘If you crave salty food, it could mean that your sodium levels are too low, usually due to dehydration, after exercise, illness or drinking alcohol.’
Sodium is a vital mineral, which helps to maintain water balance in the body, which helps regulate blood pressure.
‘You can quickly replenish your sodium levels by snacking on dried anchovies or salted popcorn, which are naturally high in the mineral,’ she added.
‘You can also find small amounts of sodium in celery and carrots, which should help curb your craving.’
According to the British Heart Foundation, guidelines say adults should eat less than six grams of salt per day — roughly a teaspoon’s worth.
And the NHS says if you have a high-salt diet, your body gets used to those levels.
It also warns that eating too much salt can make regular foods taste bland, encouraging you to add more salt — fuelling the cycle.
