Research
Adherence
Food cravings are strongly associated with negative mood states (boredom, anxiety, dysphoria) and are often used as a mechanism for emotional regulation.
Recognize that cravings are often triggered by negative emotions like boredom or anxiety, not just hunger. If you are feeling down, the craving may be a coping mechanism. Addressing the emotional state directly, rather than just resisting the food, may reduce the intensity of the craving.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Cravings that lead to episodes of binge eating, for example, are more likely to happen against a backdrop of reduced hunger but increased negative affect.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple prospective and diary studies linking mood to craving frequency and intensity.
Source
The psychology of food craving
Andrew J. Hill · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2007
DOI 10.1017/s0029665107005502
narrative_reviewCited 250×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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