Some persons have got no feeling of appetite, but, they still have the desire to eat some sort of food items. This sort of situation is known as “craving”. So, they take either chocolate or ice-cream or pizza or chips and afterwards they obtain some sort of mental satisfaction and jolly mood.

Mainly, women prefer to take this sort of “ready to eat foods”, where as men like to have foods prepared at home. 92% of females are showing interest in taking ‘chocolates’’. But tastes may change depending on the moods.

Causes for food craving:

1. Anxiety and tension: Craving is more in these types of persons suffering from anxiety, etc.
These individuals exhibit keenness to take more sweets and fatty foods. When persons are under stress conditions, some chemicals are released in their brains, and in order to get relief from the stress, they go on eating and obtain calmness. Moreover, they do not take into consideration, the quantity of food they are taking.

There after they put on excessive body weight and become obese, within no time. As, the foods containing more carbohydrates, if taken in excess amounts, can not be digested by the body so easily.

2. Hypoglycemia: some times, the blood glucose levels fall into below normal levels and leads to craving.

3. Meal timing: The time schedule between breakfast and lunch or the gap of time between two main meals is five (maximum 6) hours, not more than that under any circumstances. But, if the time -gap is more, it leads to craving.

4. Changing in hormone levels:

It is more commonly seen in females (than males). Especially, during pregnancy and also before monthly menstrual cycle periods, the change in hormone levels in females, have effect on their food habits and prone them to eat more.

How to control this habit of “craving for food”?

1. Never Miss break-fast or main meals.

2. Take foods (not oily fatty, and sweet food items), containing less calories for every three hours. Prepare the diet-planning, so that the feeling of appetite cannot arise. By taking less amount of food at frequently (not more in quantity at a time), so that the blood glucose levels do not rise and be kept at normal levels.

3. Take foods containing more fiber and also fruits.

4. Take less salt and sugar, otherwise, they create temptation to eat more.

5. Reduce the habit of going to restaurants or fast-food centers.

6. Not stop taking the chocolate or ice-creams or any other food item you like altogether, but take rarely, that is weekly once that too a small piece.

7. After taking some food item, if you wish to have it more, take two glasses of water instead of that food item, as sometimes we mistake thirst for appetite.

8. Do walking or play with children, whenever you feel the sensation of craving.

9. Taste and smelling technique: If you still have the feeling of craving, feel the smell of banana or peppermint. By inhaling the smell of vanilla, the desire of taking sweets will gradually diminish. Continue this for one month; the desire for craving sweets goes away for good. The result is you lose the excess body weight.

The golden rule is: “Where there is will, there is a way’’.

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