Why is it that the foods I crave the most, like Chocolate and Potato Chips...

1. 61

   kgnatureposted 13 years ago

   Why is it that the foods I crave the most, like Chocolate and Potato Chips...
   
   Are the ones that are the worst for me?  In the interest of self preservation, it seems that the body would crave salads and fresh fruit.

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2. 56

   Adele Whitneyposted 13 years ago

   Probably because of the chemicals.   Sugar is naturally addicting (chocolate) and the potato chips I'm sure have something in them as well.

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3. 67

   Arthur Windermereposted 13 years ago

   Our bodies didn't evolve in the circumstances of overabundance that we now have. Foods high in fat and sugar promise more energy. When you might not get your next meal for a day or two, fat and sugar is good stuff. So that's why our taste buds evolved to take special pleasure in high-fat, high-sugar foods. Why do you crave what tastes good? Well, we naturally become "addicted" to pleasurable things. Good-tasting food, particularly the stuff we consider "comfort foods," also causes the release of dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for that feeling of relaxation and comfort that we all find so addicting.

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4. 61

   leoavinashposted 13 years ago

   it depends on evrybodies reaction to the natural or artificial enviroinment

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5. 58

   carmellowyoshiposted 13 years ago

   I agree. We are still born today to be able to survive in the wild, so our body highly values fats and carbohydrates and all necessary substances to survive. For example, sugar and fatty substances taste very good, but greens don't taste as delicious because of their poor value in carbohydrates and fats. Peppers are spicy because many peppers are poisonous, and our body doesn't want us eating them. Also, coco has a pleasure-causing effect, it causes your brain to release dopamine, a pleasure-causing chemical.

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6. 47

   personaltrainingposted 13 years ago

   i always assume that it's because I did something horrible in a previous life. If only I could get lean and muscular from potato wedges and pizza! I tried it for a few years but it didn't work.
   
   The good news is though you can train your mind to associate the healthier foods with happiness, success, increased self esteem and self respect, and also associate the "bad" foods with negative emotions. You start to not WANT the bad stuff (as much), after a while.

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7. 79

   agagliaposted 13 years ago

   Salt and Sugar are appetite stimulants and are addictive.
   That is why we crave it. When we get a small taste, we want more, more, more!
      I have just discovered I am allergic to chocolate! HORROR!
   It is a love-hate relationship.
   I LOVE, absolutely LOVE Chocolate.
   but, I get itchy and a rash, so.....
   too, too bad for me.

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