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Unhealthy Addictive Snacks: What foods do you reach out to when you feel hunger packs in the middle of the day? If ever noticed, the majority of us look for unhealthy foods to satiate our hunger cravings. Some people experience food addiction to specific unhealthy foods that can have detrimental effects on their health. People with food addiction usually experience an inability to control their consumption of unhealthy foods. While most foods can be addictive, particularly foods high in sugar or salt. Here is a list of addictive foods and certain reasons why we crave them.

Watch the video below about best ways to deal with chocolate cravings: 

Unhealthy Addictive Snack

1. Potato Chips

The most common addictive snack that we binge on is potato chips. Potato chips are deep-fried, baked or air-fried until they turn crispy. These crispy chips are full of carbs and fats that affect one’s overall health. Eating too many potato chips can raise blood pressure levels, increase the risk of heart disease, and also lead to weight gain.

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2. Chocolates

Usually, when we are hungry, our body craves carbohydrates such as refined sugar. Chocolates are made by combining cocoa powder and cocoa butter along with sweeteners. The majority of chocolates are high in glycemic index, which means that they give a sudden sugar rush and once it passes, you feel hungry again.

3. Popcorn

Addictive Unhealthy Snacks That We Crave (Image Credits: Canva)

Some people crave salty and savoury foods in the middle of the day. One of the reasons for popcorn cravings is that the crunchy texture helps in relieving anxiety or stress. But when you crave popcorn, you should keep in mind your cortisol levels.

4. Cheese

Who doesn’t love cheese? Although cheese is a great source of healthy nutrients such as protein, fibre, healthy fats and minerals, consuming too many amounts of cheese can have certain risk factors.

5. French Fries

French fries are usually high in sodium, fats and carbs that are unhealthy for the overall body. They contain high amounts of trans fat, which can certainly raise bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

6. Ice Cream

Addictive Unhealthy Snacks That We Crave (Image Credits: Canva)

Most of us usually have ice cream after a relishing dinner as a comfort food. We also take comfort in eating ice cream when we are stressed or anxious. But ice creams are energy-dense and can provide large numbers of calories in a small serving.

7. Pizza

Pizza is one of the most beloved snacks of all time. Eating pizza can increase the release of feel-good hormones, and dopamine and help in releasing stress. However, they are usually high in unhealthy fats and carbs that may contribute to an increase in cholesterol levels.

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8. Cookies

According to the Cleveland Clinic, if you go too long without eating, your body will crave the fastest fuel it can think of refined grains and simple sugars. These are also known as empty carbs such as chips, as well as candy and cookies. Cramming them into your body late in the day means the calories will get stored as fat.

9. Soda

Addictive Unhealthy Snacks That We Crave (Image Credits: Canva)

Sugar-sweetened drinks such as sodas have no nutrients and can lead to major health complications such as weight gain, high blood pressure, bad oral health etc. When your body feels dehydrated or nutrient-deficient, it may crave sugary drinks.

10. Cheeseburger

A strong craving for cheeseburgers may be a sign that your body needs protein. However, eating cheeseburgers may lead to certain health drawbacks such as heart disease as they are high in saturated fats and carbohydrates.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)