India, Nov. 1 -- I f you find yourself craving unhealthy snacks or junk food, you're not alone. And no, it's not just a silly temptation or a lack of willpower, there's actual biology behind our desire for sugary, salty, and fatty foods. "Indulging in unhealthy foods is a matter of complex interaction between brain chemistry, emotional regulation, and environmental conditioning," says Dr. Sumit Grover, clinical psychologist and life coach. She adds, "Cravings also rise during stress, fatigue, or emotional distress as the individual craves such food for immediate relief or immediate gratification." Dr. Sumit further explains the vicious cycle of emotional eating: "Food can be used to deflect or regulate painful feelings such as sadness, emptiness, or loss. While eating yields short-term respite through 'feel-good' chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, the relief is temporary. Guilt or shame typically follows, which can intensify the cycle of depression." The first step, according to Dr. Sumit, is identifying what triggers your cravings. Common triggers include boredom, stress, loneliness, and body image concerns. Here are ways to change one's attitude towards junk food: "The mind can be reprogrammed by replacing unwanted food with wholesome but satiating food, for example, sweets with fruit or fried/baked food with grilled/baked food," Dr Sumit suggests. A sustainable change also requires reframing food as fuel rather than comfort. "Reframing food as fuel, and not comfort, through cognitive-behavioural methods can be a sustainable, balanced shift in the thought process," Dr Sumit says says. Practices like CBT, mindfulness, journalling, or simply talking to a trusted friend can also help channel emotions without turning to junk food. The good news is that nowadays, people are becoming increasingly conscious about clean, mindful eating. Occasional indulgence is perfectly fine, but the trend is shifting toward healthy choices that don't compromise on taste. Dr. Yashawant Kumar, founder and CEO of Benefic Nutrition, calls this the "era of healthy indulgence: "Flavour-first nutrition is booming in India, blending traditional ingredients with global trends. Indians no longer see health and taste as opposites. They want laddoos with protein and chips with quinoa."...