Guwahati, Feb. 27 -- Hayley O'Neill, Bond University

We all want to eat healthily, especially as we reset our health goals at the start of a new year. But sometimes these plans are sabotaged by powerful cravings for sweet, salty or carb-heavy foods.

So why do you crave these foods when you're trying to improve your diet or lose weight? And what can you do about it?

There are many reasons for craving specific foods, but let's focus on four common ones:

Sugar is a key energy source for all animals, and its taste is one of the most basic sensory experiences. Even without specific sweet taste receptors on the tongue, a strong preference for sugar can develop, indicating a mechanism beyond taste alone.

Neurons responding to sugar are acti...