Decode Your Cravings
The urge to scarf is more than a hunger cue gone wild. It's a window into your nutritional needs and your personality.
Who hasn't been there: in the throes of a food craving so intense that having Jillian Michaels appear in the flesh wouldn't hold you back from that bag of chips ... or greasy slice of pizza ... or chocolate confection. But why exactly are these common food joneses so powerful?
"Cravings definitely have a physical component, but they also give some insight into the type of person you are," says Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., head of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago and the author of What Flavor Is Your Personality? Hirsch should know: He's studied the cravings, food choices and personalities of more than 18,000 people for more than 25 years. Here's something to take away from your midday vending-machine runs or late-night fridge raids besides extra calories:
When you crave salty food
What it says about your body: If nothing but the saltiest french fry will do, you may have a mineral deficiency. Studies have shown that women who eat low-calcium diets want salty foods more than those who get enough of the bone builder, says Michael Tordoff, Ph.D., a researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, an institute that studies taste and smell. One possible reason: Sodium temporarily increases calcium levels in the blood, which tricks the body into thinking the problem is solved. But you may have a shortage of other minerals, too. In animal studies, researchers have found that a lack of potassium, calcium and iron causes test subjects to devour table salt.
Discover more of the science behind why you can't eat just one cheese fry here.
What it says about you: You go with the flow. Hirsch's research describes salt lovers as having an "external locus of control," meaning they believe that outside forces, not their own actions, determine their fate.
When you crave chocolate
What it says about your body: You reach for the chocolate because the flavor makes you swoon—but it does that because it stimulates the release of serotonin, Hirsch says. It's basically an antidepressant in dessert form that your body instinctively seeks out when your happy chemicals are bottoming out and you need a quick lift.
What it says about you: That depends on what type of chocolate you long for.
- Dark chocolate: You're the life of the party, a social butterfly and right in the mix of the team project at work.
- Milk chocolate: You're the quiet, introspective type. Your idea of a perfect afternoon is a solo run or one-on-one time with a good book.
Outsmart your cravings with these sure-fire stick-to-your-diet tricks.
When you crave spicy food
What it says about your body: If you're having trouble cooling down, your body may crave a fiery taste to make you perspire. That may seem counterintuitive, but it helps explain why Mexican food would be popular even when temps are scorching. Some research also suggests that people become addicted to the rush of spicy food—the spiked blood pressure, accelerated heart rate and rapid breathing, says Tammy Lakatos Shames, R.D., a co-author of The Secret to Skinny.
What it says about you: The Perfectionista—You love order, dislike wasting time and sweat the details.
When you crave sweets
What it says about your body: This is a lot like a chocolate craving—lusting after sweets could indicate that you're looking to boost your mood. Or it could be that you're just low on energy. The body absorbs refined sugars of the candy variety faster than any other type of food, giving you immediate fuel, Shames says.
What it says about you: Sugar fiends tend to walk toward the wild side, Hirsch says. He describes them as hedonistic, with few regrets. They also like to stand out and feel special.
Love to snack? You can still maintain your figure with these smart snack ideas.
When you crave sweet and salty
What it says about your body: Your body needs glucose and sodium to function properly, so when the cells get sluggish (and you get tired), you reach for the chocolate-covered pretzels to get them revving, Hirsch says.
What it says about you: You're a loner, but a whiz, too. According to Hirsch's data, people who think a potato chip dipped in chocolate sauce is a match made in sensory heaven tend to be creative but private, to the point that they appear standoffish.
More From MSN Health & Fitness:
Provided by Women's Health
I dont think this is very accurate because i LOVE milk chocolate (i eat at least 3 servings of chocolate a day) and im NOT in any way shy or quiet nither my idea of a good afternoon includes READING hahaha . but still, very good articile apart from the chocolate part, i thought it was pretty good. 
Anybody else out there ever have this happen? All my life I loved salt, cream and butter; never sweets, and never chocolate --only vanilla or fruit flavors. Then overnight I began craving nothing but sweets. especially ice cream. It's gotten so bad that I often eat NOTHING but ice cream all day -- no other food. I have no idea what happned. I went from eating a candy bar maybe once a year to ravishing a half gallon of cherry vanilla ice cream plus three boxes of popsicles a day - and no other food. It's always been easy for me to quit even the tough stuff, like tobacco or alcohol -- but sugar's got me beat. What happened to me and what can I do before it completely destroys my health?
ANYONE, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
idk so muchI think your very right about the sweet craving I crave dark chocolate and sweet , and every thing you said about my personality is correct , especially about feeling special,
also my husband likes spice and it is all correct about cooling down , perfection, and likes to give orders. thank you
Popular Slide Shows
advertisement
advertisement
MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.
