What our food cravings mean

Lollies

Go for it? Occasionally.

If you’re in desperate need of a sweet snack but don’t want the sugar crash that comes afterwards, try sugar-free lollies instead. Or just limit your dosage to one or two small treats.

Burger

Go for it? Yes!

Burgers get a bit of a bad rap as being really unhealthy, but it’s more the fast food varieties that get it wrong. So make your own version with a lean beef pattie, a slice of low- fat cheese and plenty of fresh salad piled high on the side.

Pasta

Go for it? Yes!

This is a great, healthy energy food with a low GI. But don’t go OTT.  Aim for around a cup per meal. Also be smart in your choice of sauces and opt for tomato-based recipes with lots of vegetables instead of creamier varieties.

Coffee

Go for it? Within reason.

Dietitians recommend you have no more than three cups a day, and after that point you should hydrate yourself through water or switch to decaf or herbal tea.

Ice-cream

Go for it? Occasionally.

This summertime snack is good for cooling down, but if you swap it for sorbet, low fat ice-cream or frozen yoghurt, you’ll still get the yummy factor but without the fat content.

Chips

Go for it? Occasionally.

If you’re craving a packet of crisps, opt for some low-fat rice crackers or rice snacks as a substitute – you’ll still get the crunch and flavour but without the high fat. However, if it’s deep-fried hot chips you’re dying for, head to a supermarket and buy frozen fries low in saturated fat and cook them in the oven at home.

Chocolate

Go for it? Occasionally.

The 3pm chocolate hit is a must for some. Make yours healthier by trying lite or skim milk with cocoa, as this will give you much-needed calcium. Still can’t resist? Go for the little Freddo instead of a family-sized block of Cadbury.

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Why do we crave?

Nutritionist Tania Ferraretto, from Nutrition Professionals Australia, runs through the reasons.

Emotions: “Cravings are more likely to be an emotional desire to eat a particular food. This may be linked to situations or feelings. For example, you may have grown up with your mum’s pasta so you associate that with happiness and crave it when stressed.”

Certain situations: “People often say that some foods make them feel better or help them deal with particular situations, ie chocolate and PMS or feeling tired and lollies.”

Food restrictions: “Some cravingsmay be due to food restrictions caused by being on a weight loss diet. Because you are eating less than usual and not feeling full or satisfied by what you’re consuming, you may crave other ‘forbidden foods’.”

In the end, whatever the psychological reason is for your cravings, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t feel guilty, as that generally intensifies the feeling.

Instead, try to satisfy your appetite in a way that’ll still give your body the fuel it needs without resorting to empty kJs. Or have just a little bit of what you want and really savour the flavour.