Isn’t it funny how much time and brain power we can spend trying to control cravings or even just talking about them? No matter how much you try to ignore it or convince yourself you don’t need it, you can still hear the craving whispering “Feed me! Feed me!” For some people, these cravings can be a huge nuisance: they can be the breaking point of any good intentions of healthy eating. However there is light at the end of the tunnel: provided you eat a slice and not a slab (or a few pieces rather than a bar), it’s ok to satisfy these cravings without ruining any of your intentions to lose/maintain weight. In fact, it’s sometimes better to give into it so you can kick that pesky urge out of your system.
Speaking of cravings, the one thing that always does it for me is the mere whiff from that waffles and Ben & Jerry ice cream stand on Oxford Street next to the tube station entrance. Although I’ll be honest- I’m still yet to order one and that’s probably why I’m still talking about it (Belgian waffle with 2 scoops of choc chip cookie dough..mmm). At the risk of sounding like a total glutton, I know myself too well- there’s no way I could put my fork down after a few bites.
Anyways enough about me. I came across this interesting finding on cravings and thought I’d share it with you:
According to a study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, cravings for sweets might mean you’re, yawn, just tired (and if this happens a lot, time to catch up on sleep!). Salty cravings are another story: They may be signaling that our bodies want a “real meal.”
This might explain why my breakfast has to have some sweetness to it. Although if I work out before breakfast, I can happily eat eggs or peanut butter on toast. Alternatively, come 2 PM, I’m craving something salty..i.e. LUNCH!!