Posted on Wednesday, April 9, 2025
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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson
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Food cravings are intense desires for specific foods. Per Healthline, an expert provider of medical information, food cravings are common, difficult to ignore, and typically manifest through an intense or urgent desire for specific food. This may vary per individual and may be the result of a physical or mental cause.
Two categories
Medical experts split food cravings into two main categories: physical and mental. Physical causes that prompt food cravings can range from conditions like nutritional deficiency, pregnancy, PMS, low physical activity levels, or lack of sleep as examples. Whereas mental causes may relate to stress, personality, mood, boredom and more.
Are my food cravings normal?
Occasional food cravings are considered normal. For example, a person may occasionally be “in the mood” for a piece of chocolate or a pretzel. If a person finds that their cravings are driving an unhealthy diet, are becoming out of control, or they crave non-food items, it is essential to seek prompt medical attention.
Why might I crave junk food?
There are a multitude of reasons why food cravings occur. Sometimes, it can be as simple as being bored. Other times, cravings may be driven by a larger problem, such as sodium deficiency or high stress levels that necessitate medical management. Food cravings for non-food items may be symptoms of pica, an eating disorder whose exact cause is unknown and requires medical intervention.
But I’m hungry for…
It’s always best to consult a medical expert if you have trouble controlling cravings. For most people with subtle snack desires, a few simple things may help to manage food cravings:
- Sleep well. Healthline shares that too little or poor-quality sleep can disturb hormone levels responsible for regulating hunger, fullness, and sleep-wake cycles. This, in turn, may intensify food cravings – particularly near bedtime.
- Hydrate. Simply put, people who drink more water are less likely to indulge in fatty, sugary, and salty foods because the water fills space in the stomach to make people feel fuller. When people feel satisfied, they are less hungry. Therefore, they tend to consume less junk food.
- Exercise. Some people mistakenly think that moving the body will only make them hungrier. Per WebMD, “Research shows that a brisk 45-minute walk in the morning may help curb cravings and make you more active throughout the day.” Exercise also serves as a distraction, engaging body and mind and keeping people from thinking about food triggers.
- Keep busy. Sometimes, people eat when they are bored or just sitting around. In fact, folks may lose track of how much buttered popcorn they just ate while binge watching a favorite show. Get up off the couch and engage in more stimulating activities that keep you on your toes. Go to a museum, plant flowers, walk the dog, take dance or music lessons, learn a language, or go bowling. People who are busy doing fun activities tend to be less bored and hungry.
- Don’t buy junk food. If you’re prone to eating an entire bag of chips, here’s a simple tactic. Don’t buy them. Rather, when you crave food, opt for healthy options that you have on hand. If it’s a satisfying crunch you seek, eat some carrots or kale chips instead. If you’re craving something sweet, skip the candy. Rather, opt for fresh strawberries or blueberries. Healthier foods will leave you feeling satisfied, and you’ll be less likely to experience water retention associated with salt intake or a sugar crash due to a drop in energy level.
Is it okay to give in to food cravings now and then?
Subtle food cravings are entirely normal and sometimes go away on their own. From time to time, it’s likely okay to indulge in an occasional food craving if you consider moderation, balance, and the effects of that food on the body. Consult your physician with questions or concerns.
Sometimes food cravings can indicate more serious health conditions. Therefore, it’s best to promptly talk to your doctor if you feel your cravings are frequent, affect weight and how you feel, are difficult to control, or are unusual.
Reducing cravings
Most people can do a few simple things to manage or reduce subtle and occasional food cravings. This includes getting a good night’s sleep, hydrating, exercising, keeping the mind engaged, and avoiding buying junk food. If cravings occur, and you feel you must eat something, try drinking some cucumber mint water. (put an internal link to our prior recipe article here) Or simply replace junk food with healthy snacks instead. Another great choice is to get moving and keep busy until the food urge suddenly dissipates.
Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not intended as a health resource or substitute for professional medical advice.
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