Get Curious About Cravings

Cravings are one of the most misunderstood parts of our health journey. We often treat them like enemies—something to resist, fight off, or feel ashamed about. But what if instead of labeling cravings as “bad,” we got curious about them?

What if they were messengers, not monsters?

Cravings Aren’t Random

That sudden urge for chocolate, a glass of wine, chips, popcorn, or a bakery drive-by isn’t coming out of nowhere. Our bodies are incredibly wise and incredibly responsive. That craving is doing something for you—or trying to.

It might be trying to soothe something.
It might be trying to fill a gap.
It might be trying to reconnect you to comfort, calm, or even joy.

The key is to pause and ask:
“What am I really needing right now?”

What’s Underneath It?

Let me walk you through an example from my own life. I’ve discovered that when I’m overwhelmed or lonely, I crave popcorn. Not just “I’d like a snack” kind of craving—I'm talking full-body desire. Salty, buttery, curled-up-on-the-couch kind of craving.

When I got curious about that, here’s what I found: as a kid, Sunday nights were the calmest, happiest time in our house. We’d go to church, have a big family lunch, and then watch Disney movies at night—with popcorn for dinner. It was the only time everything felt peaceful.

So my craving wasn’t just for popcorn.
It was for peace.
For comfort.
For connection.

Once I saw that, I had more options.

Curiosity Gives You Choices

You can’t change a habit you don’t understand. But once you know what your craving is really about, you’re no longer stuck in shame or autopilot.

Here’s a simple process you can try the next time a craving hits:

1. Pause.
   Instead of immediately giving in or fighting it off, stop and notice.

2. Check in.
   Ask yourself: What am I feeling right now? (Bored? Lonely? Sad? Tired?)
   Then ask: Where do I feel this in my body? (Tight chest, heavy belly, clenched jaw?)
   You can even visualize it—what color or shape is it?

3. Be honest.
   What does your brain think this food or habit will give you? (Relief? Numbness? Joy? Control?)
   Say it out loud or write it down.

4. Make a conscious choice.
   Maybe you eat the thing—and really savor it.
   Maybe you try something else that brings you the same feeling.
   Maybe you drink a glass of water, take a walk, or call a friend.
   Maybe you realize you’re just tired and what you really need is rest.

The magic isn’t in resisting the craving. The magic is in bringing awareness to it—so that you can respond, not react.

Let Go of the Guilt

Sometimes, you’ll still eat the cookie. Sometimes you’ll still have the drink or the chips or the thing.

That’s okay.

Cravings don’t make you weak. They make you human. And when you meet them with curiosity instead of criticism, they often lose their power over you.

You are not “bad” for wanting something sweet at the end of a hard day.
You’re probably just longing for something soft in a world that feels sharp.
Meet yourself there. Ask the question. Listen to the answer.

You don’t have to get it “right.” You just have to get curious.

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Want to go deeper into this kind of work?
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