A little indulgence, especially when you are generally healthy, won't kill you. However, the constant craving for calorie-laden food is a signal. As noted in our article on Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, when we are stressed or struggling with painful emotions, our serotonin levels drop and we crave "comfort food" like mashed potatoes and gravy. But you may find yourself depressed, bloated and low-energy. Eating calorie-laden or hydrogenated high-sugar foods (this includes those commercial smoothies in a can) increases your need for a fix.

Having someone tell you just to stop eating is not helpful, especially if said person is bingeing on a Big Mac with no apparent effects (which is an illusion, you can never tell how healthy someone is by weight alone).

Here are ways to combat the cravings.

Ask yourself:

1. Am I really hungry now?
2. What's on my plate besides food---did I just have a fight with my sister,
   did I just get slammed with work, am I prone to depression, am I going
   through a divorce, is someone I love ill? What's on my mind that causes me
   to want that cookie?
3. What do I enjoy doing that takes me out of this mood and puts things in perspective? Do I like to draw? Work out? Call my best friend? Help my
   neighbor? Listen to music?
4. What will be the benefit of eating this snack? Will I feel better or still unhappy, and physically uncomfortable to boot?
5. Can I substitute exercise for the snack, or have some nuts and seeds instead?
6. Do I need to deal with my feelings now before they overwhelm me again? Who can I talk to? If there's no one available, can I write down my thoughts and feelings in a journal or record them on tape?
7. What was I thinking or doing when I started having the cravings?

Once you've worked through these questions, make a list of triggers that cause you to need French fries. It might read like this:

1. Co-worker kept nagging me to finish the project her way
2. Someone I don't like keeps invading my space, trying to be friendly but
   overstepping
3. Dad had another stroke
4. I couldn't do my aerobics just right, I feel so clumsy
5. Boss moved up the deadline to an hour from now
6. My car needs extensive repairs
7. I have a problem with my partner/spouse and don't know how to talk about it
8. Partner/spouse inadvertently did something to upset me

Remind yourself that life is stressful and the only way to deal with stress well is to take care of yourself.

Have a list of things you can do when you feel like being a junk food
junkie. Some examples:

• Talk to a trusted friend, sibling, parent (unless the parent is overly smothering, one of those "feed all the time" moms, or overly critical, which can trigger substituting food for nurturing), counselor, or priest.
• Express your frustration and confront what's bothering you.
• Write in your journal.
• Write a letter.
• Avoid watching network TV (or the Food Network), which increases your
  cravings. Take in a movie instead.
• Read a book.
• Work a crossword puzzle.
• Do yoga or lift weights.
• Schedule a date with friends.
• Practice breathing exercises, focusing on your breath.
• Go to the local park and take a walk.
• Walk away from conflict temporarily.
• Remind yourself why you love your job.
• Take the dog for a walk.
• Play with your children.
• Clean out the garage.
• Drink water or herbal tea.
• Volunteer (possibly at an eating disorders clinic) or do something nice
  for someone else.
• Just ignore the impulse. If it persists, continue to ignore it and concentrate on the feelings it stirs up. The impulse will go away. This is called mindfulness.
• Have some nuts, seeds or good protein.
• If all else fails, walk around a fast-food joint and really look at the people there. Do you notice the same people in there every day? Do they seem relaxed or "on edge" constantly? Do they seem happy or unhappy? Do
  they have fulfilling lives and satisfying relationships? Do you want to emulate them?

The cravings will probably subside once you stop placing so much importance on them. When you do have that slice of pie, you'll appreciate, savor it and want it more.