There is a myth that food cravings mean that our bodies are trying to tell us we are lacking something. However, if you think about some of the cravings that you may have had in the past, they may have been for foods that weren't so healthy. I have read more than once that cravings are more psychological than physical. Many cravings stem from remembering a pleasant memory of eating a particular food or meal.
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Diets and Cravings
People who are on a diet tend to have strong cravings for foods they are trying to avoid. I know that feeling all too well. Usually, I would crave all of my favorites because to me, they were my comfort foods. I associated feeling good with eating those particular foods.
Giving into Cravings
Denying your cravings can be tough. It's common to want something you know you can't have. Therefore if you are making certain foods off limits that you used to eat regularly, you will want them even more. If you are trying to be a clean eater, you will definitely have cravings in the beginning. Don't feel bad if you give into them in the beginning. However, you should do your best to cut back on them more and more.
Variety Helps
As you become more of a clean eater you will discover a new way of eating foods that aren't processed and full of stuff our bodies don't need. You will begin to have variety in your meals, learn how to prepare meals differently, and eventually you may no longer crave the foods you used to. It all takes time but a good way to start is to learn more about cravings, how they work, and know that you can overcome them.
Have you had a hard time dealing with food cravings? How did you handle it?
Resources:
How Food Cravings Work
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I know what you mean about cravings. I think all of us get them sometimes. I think the best way to deal with cravings is to manage them. If you crave certain foods then eat them. Just limit your intake of them (for example if pizza is the food you crave eat it once a week or once every two weeks) and limit the portion size (eat until you are full and not till you are bloated).