There are a number of emotional triggers when it comes to food cravings. Among those are tension, stress, depression and a desire for affection, but the overriding cause of those sudden urges may be fear. To overcome a uncontrollable desire for a certain food, or foods, it is essential to understand what emotion you are dealing with when the cravings hit.
Fear
Four basic emotions are mainly responsible for food cravings. In the book, Constant Cravings A-Z, written by metaphysician Doreen Virtue, she states: 'Four emotions form the core of emotional overeating: fear,anger, tension and shame (FATS). Fear is the root emotion in the FATS feelings. Anger, tension and shame are all extensions of fear'. One of the foods you should suspect of being prompted by fear would be a craving for a cheeseburger. There is within you a sense of emptiness. You feel inadequate and are afraid of failing. A nice, juicy, cheeseburger helps override these emotions, for a short time.
Anger
Anger is an underlying cause for craving foods especially if you feel you are being 'used', or suffered an injustice through no fault of your own. You feel the need to resort to the only place where you feel comfortable - eating. If you find yourself reaching for an Almond Joy bar, even though you're not hungry, then you can be assured that anger was the trigger for that craving. Or if you put a big dollop of sour cream on the top of that bowl of chili it might mean that you are repressing an angry emotion.
Reaching for Reassurance
You've had a craving all day for a plate of macaroni and cheese. Maybe that dish is calling you back with memories of home, or that quick snack after school. You are probably craving the reassurance you gained from a plate of mac and cheese before you got into the adult world and experienced the feelings of powerlessness and being totally alone. As with cravings for puddings it could be a cry for comfort. If it is vanilla pudding that keeps coming to mind you are most likely wanting a new start, a fresh perspective. Chocolate, on the other hand, is a call for major reassurance, wanting some close comfort hugging and nurturing.
What to Drink?
Liquids are representative of many emotions in the cravings list.
- Coffee - Craving coffee can mean you're burned out and need new direction.
- Cola - Either diet or regular speaks to energy and more excitement in your life.
- Milk - is the security drink. Feeding the emotions that are churned up with pessimism and vulnerability.
- Tea - This drink is usually thought provoking and is craved when you need a real recharge, when things seem out of control.
- Root Beer - Says you want some needed recognition for all your hard work.
- Beer- Craving beer means you just want to shut down, let things go and maybe have some fun.
Affirmations to Help
Understanding your food cravings is just the beginning. You need to be able to stop those cravings by positive affirmations. Constant Cravings A-Z not only tells you the probable cause of your cravings but adds an affirmation to help keep them in check. It is a book for '. . .anyone who wants to lose weight and maintain that weight loss through the natural process of appetite reduction'.
Source: Constant Craving A-Z - A Simple Guide to Understanding and Healing Your Food Cravings, Doreen Virtue Ph.D., Hay House, Inc., Carlsbad, CA, 1999.
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