Food Cravings

Don't feel guilty for enjoying treats. Our health writer, Jackie Mitchell, talks to dietitian Aisling Pigott.

- Jackie Mitchell

WE all experience food cravings, such as a sudden desire for chocolate or chips. Fulfilling an occasional craving shouldn't be an issue.

If they become frequent though, there may be cause for concern.

Aisling Pigott, dietitian from The British Dietetic Association (BDA), explains.

"We are all physiologically designed to experience hunger and desire food. Otherwise, we would not survive.

"Often when we talk about cravings, we are referring to a powerful desire for a particular type of food.

"I like the phrase 'you can't binge on something you are not restricting'.

"If we put food on a pedestal, as something we can't or should not have, then of course we are going to crave and desire this more."

Cravings indicate the body expressing a need or a desire for a particular food.

"If you find yourself craving a biscuit, ask why," Aisling says.

"It might be because you skipped lunch. Sometimes it might be more complex. You might be upset or tired - several factors come into play."

Often people experience a craving for something sweet in the evenings.

Aisling says the main reason for this is that a meal is often finished with a sweeter taste "which is satisfying and pleasurable".