Why we crave it

Cocoa butter melts in the mouth at just below body temperature. Many women crave chocolate premenstrually, which also suggests a hormonal link.

How to control it

Anecdotally, women who increase their intake of the mineral magnesium - by taking a supplement, or by eating nuts, wholegrains and spinach - reduce their hormonally driven chocolate cravings. Interestingly, researchers at University College London found that subjects told to eat chocolate when not hungry found their cravings became weaker. Eating it on an empty stomach made their cravings stronger.

Why we crave it

There's no evidence that craving meat means you're protein or iron deficient. If you're hankering for a steak, you're probably hungry, rather than just seeking emotional satisfaction. It's also been suggested that we seek chewy foods such as steak when we're angry.

How to control it

It's fine to have protein foods twice a day. Just keep red meat to two or three times a week (too much is linked with colon cancer) and keep portion sizes reasonable - ideally, no more than the size of a pack of cards.

Why we crave them

Whether it's jelly beans or marshmallows, you're probably after the instant energy lift that sugar gives. A rapid rise in blood glucose is followed by a rapid fall, stimulating further sugar cravings.

How to control it

Base your diet around lower-glycaemic carbohydrates, such as grainy bread and porridge. These are digested slowly and help smooth out blood-sugar fluctuations. A protein snack (a handful of prawns or half a can of tuna) may also stop sugar cravings.

Why we crave it

A study at the University of Haifa in Israel found that people whose mothers had experienced bad morning sickness were the most likely to crave salty foods, perhaps because of pre-birth exposure to fluid and sodium loss. It could also mean you're hooked on the savoury taste sensation - known as umami - that's produced by glutamic acid.

How to control it

Eat foods where the salt is only on the outside, such as salted peanuts - these can be less salty than soup and cereals. If your craving is newly developed and strong, see your GP - it could be a sign of an adrenal gland problem.

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Why we crave them

Ice eating is a type of pica (a compulsion to eat non-food items) that's particularly common in pregnancy. Several studies have linked it to anaemia.

How to control it

Your craving won't go until your iron levels are normalised, and that takes a high dose of iron available only on medical prescription. Complement it with iron-rich foods such as red meat, figs, eggs, cashew nuts, sardines and leafy greens.

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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