I just read that a craving only lasts 8 - 14 minutes.

If you can get through that tiny amount of time, your craving will pass (the article also said that you might be thirsty so drink a glass of water). I know that if I want chocolate and I don't have it, it lasts all day. thoughts on this?

Thu. Jan 5, 8:07am

Where is the article?

I'd like to read that article. My problem with cravings is all mental. I'm not satisfied with one hershey kiss. It needs to be the whole bag! I'm a quantity, not quality eater!

Thursday, January 05, 2006, 8:15 AM

New York Post. Profiling a new book about how the rich stay thin. Another gimmick that repackages info we already know but I wanted to know what people thought about this...

Thursday, January 05, 2006, 8:16 AM

cravings for weeks

I dispute the article. No I haven't read it, but I have had a craving for a sonic's coney dog for over a week now. This is also not unusual for me. I have cravings for periods of time. Usually I give in after a month or so, if I've been good on my diet ;)

Thursday, January 05, 2006, 8:28 AM

I read that cravings for meat (even if it's for a McDonald's burger, or a Coney Dog) often mean that your iron is low and your body wants some red meat. Lower-fat ground beef, made into relatively small burger patties and cooked on a foreman or even in a pan or broiler, with some ketchup (no bun) will always soothe my cravings for fast food, for not even half the calories I give myself for a dinner! Just a thought...

Thursday, January 05, 2006, 10:07 AM

cravings or impulses?

I wasn't craving cranberry orange bread until I saw it in the kitchen at work. I passed it by twice and then succumbed. But oh no, I can't be happy with one piece, had to have 3! And today was the day I got my act together!!!! I had waiting about an hour and then just threw in the towel. I didn't crave it until I saw it, so not sure if that was an impulse or not.

Thursday, January 05, 2006, 12:14 PM

I agree that sometimes cravings indicate that you might need some vitamins or minerals--

I usually crave red meat or chicken livers during my period-- I realize that means I am probably iron deficient....

Thursday, January 05, 2006, 5:24 PM

why do sooo many women crave chocolate around their periods? i know i am a fiend for it both a couple days prior and a couple days in--like clockwork.

Thursday, January 05, 2006, 11:00 PM

The ultimate mood lifter = chocolate

To answer the previous person's question about chocolate cravings:

During the luteal phase, the last 2 weeks of your menstrual cycle, the progesterone levels in your body increase and in result, cause the level of serotonin to decrease. Serotonin, in addition to endorphins and dopamines (these two are chemicals), help you fight stress and are the happiness-inducers. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, an endorphin-releasing chemical, which helps to increase the lowered levels of serotonin and endorphin in your brain. So basically, because your body is low in serotonin, you crave chocolate because it helps to raise these levels, which is also why people often resort to a box of chocolates after a heart wrenching breakup. haha. =]

Furthermore, during this time your insulin sensitivity increases. The result? Cravings. So to stay on track and abstain from giving into that chocolate covered ice-cream bar calling out your name in the middle of the day or whenever, try eating more frequent smaller meals throughout the day. Eating 4-6 small meals a day will stabilize your blood sugar, in addition to making your feel more energized and less bloated.

References: January issue of 'Women's Health' magazine and what I remember from my high school biology book. =]

And to address the first poster's comment, when you have a craving and your attempts to ignore the clawing desire are futile, either opt for a healthier alternative or have a couple savory bites of it. Whatever you do, make it worthwhile. Just because you're on a diet, doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of the foods you enjoy. Remember that moderation is the key. Too much of anything could cause weight gain. It just happens that fatty, high-caloric foods make gaining weight easier. haha. =] (besides the fact that they're often times not too healthy)

And another thing, if you truly love to eat a certain food, don't cut it out of your diet. Try slowly reducing the amount in which you consume it. Also, decide which foods you can't live without and those you won't mind as much giving up or having less of. Prioritize your foods because in the end, the calories do add up. Balance, don't deprive--compromise.

Friday, January 06, 2006, 4:00 AM

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