Cravings: Should You Or Shouldn't You?

After almost a week of eating in hotels and airports, I finally made it home last week to find myself craving all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

We've all heard that we tend to crave specific foods because our bodies need the nutrients they contain, so we should succumb to these cravings. But is that really true? I decided to find out why I felt that I could happily camp out in the produce section of the grocery store for weeks and still want more.

I found no concrete evidence that we eat to fulfill a true need for a certain vitamin or mineral. But many sources I reviewed stated that a craving might be hormonal, especially in the case of of someone who is pregnant.

Another example: low serotonin levels have been linked to depression and cravings for carbohydrates. Our cravings also appear to be the result of an emotional need or to compensate for exhaustion or lack of sleep. The interesting conclusion from most sources was that when we experience a craving, we should give in to it while staying mindful of how many calories we are consuming.

If you decide to give in to a craving, keep these tips in mind to control your intake:

• Prevent cravings by eating healthy, balanced meals with appropriate amounts of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. The more balanced your diet, the less likely that you will be hit by a craving and the more likely you'll eat a smaller portion of your craved food.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise will help you control your urge to add a high-calorie snack and will help you refocus. If you still need a snack rich in carbohydrates, select wisely and try to limit your calories.

• To help limit your intake, indulge in lower-calorie versions of the foods you crave. If you crave ice cream, consider eating low-fat frozen yogurt or sorbet instead.

• If you crave a candy bar, try a bite-sized one instead of the regular size.

• Control your portions. Just because you give in to a craving, that doesn't mean you need an oversized portion.