Changes in Food Cravings during Dietary Carbohydrate-restriction

Craving is defined as an intense desire to consume a particular food that is difficult to resist. Many individuals entering weight loss programs may believe that restriction of a certain type of food (e.g., carbohydrate, CHO) may increase their cravings for that food. The goal of the present study was to assess motivation for entry into a weight loss program, acceptability of low-CHO commercially-prepared foods, and changes in food cravings during rapid weight loss associated with high-fat, low-CHO dietary consumption. The foods provided for the first 2 wks included Atkin’s products (frozen dinners, bars and shakes), and some freshly-prepared meals (total fat was 54±4% of energy (%E), protein, 28±2 %E, and CHO 14±1 %E; fiber intake, 26±8 g/d) and resulted in an energy deficit of 1198 ± 655 kcal/d. For the next 2 wks, subjects prepared their own meals with the goal of achieving a similar food intake. Subjects were surveyed regarding reasons for enrolling in the program, and at baseline (BL) and 4 wks, comp...