What your food cravings really mean
You crave: Macaroni cheese, rice pudding, bread and pancakes
You're feeling: Lonely
Instead try: Pasta and tomato sauce, apples, bowl of fibre cereal with milk
It's possible we try to fight loneliness with stodgy, stomach-filling foods. These tend to be high in carbohydrate which, combined with low protein, can help with the formation of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps to regulate mood. To be healthier, swap some of the stodgier options for bulky fruits like apples, and go for pasta dishes with tomato-based, not creamy or cheesy, sauces. High-fibre cereal is also a nutritious filler.
You crave: Spare ribs, crusty baguettes
You're feeling: Angry
Instead try: Lean steak, carrots, celery
When we need to take out our anger, textured foods we can chomp and chew may seem more appealing. There's nothing wrong in this, but limit the amount of fatty options (like spare ribs). Go for unprocessed lean meats instead, like steak and chicken, and bite on chewy veg, such as celery, carrots and broccoli. Crusty bread is fine in moderation if it's wholegrain, but don't add lots of butter.
You crave: Trifle, custard
You're feeling: Weepy
Instead try: Vegetable soup, stewed fruit
People experiencing bereavement or divorce may crave soft or liquid textured foods, maybe as a return to the nursery foods they had as children. Instead of trifle and custard, take comfort from nutritious vegetable soups, stews and stewed fruit, or a bowl of fruit crumble.
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