What your food cravings are trying to tell you

Pasta and bread

Why we crave them

In a small number of people, this can indicate wheat intolerance. But for most of us, these are just favourite comfort foods. ‘When we're in a bad mood, dishes such as macaroni cheese are similar to a hug from a loved one,' says Dr Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab in New York.

How to control it

Dr Wansink's team found that people eating comfort food because they felt sad dramatically reduced their consumption when they understood its nutritional content. Swap to wheat-free versions if you suspect an intolerance.

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