The Language of Junk Food Cravings & Desire
“I NEED Chocolate!”: Decoding the Urgent Language of Junk Food Cravings
When cravings hit, language often becomes urgent and absolute: “I need chocolate,” “I must have fries.” This isn’t usually physiological need, but reflects the intense psychological desire, habit, or emotional comfort sought from that specific junk food.
Sarah slammed her laptop shut. “That’s it, I NEED a giant cookie, right now!” she declared. Her use of “need” wasn’t about true hunger; it was the urgent language of a powerful craving, a psychological demand for the immediate comfort and pleasure of her favorite junk food.
The Difference Between “Hunger” and a “Junk Food Craving” (Linguistically)
True hunger is often described with general terms: “I’m starving,” “My stomach is rumbling.” Junk food cravings are highly specific: “I’m dying for salty chips,” “I have a hankering for a donut.” The language reflects a targeted desire for a particular sensory experience, not just sustenance.
Mark’s stomach growled. “I’m hungry,” he said simply. Later, despite being full, he sighed, “Man, I’m really craving some cheesy pizza.” The linguistic shift from general hunger to a pinpointed desire for specific junk food highlighted the difference.
How We Personify Junk Food Cravings (“The Sugar Monster,” “My Inner Cookie Fiend”)
Personifying cravings (“The Sugar Monster is calling,” “My Inner Cookie Fiend woke up”) is a common linguistic tactic. It can externalize the desire, making it feel like an outside force to be battled or indulged, sometimes humorously detaching oneself from the craving’s intensity.
Chloe felt a powerful urge for candy. “Ugh, the Sugar Monster is demanding a sacrifice!” she joked to her officemate. By personifying her craving as a mischievous “monster,” she humorously acknowledged its power while slightly distancing herself from the intensity of the desire.
The Vocabulary of “Indulgence” vs. “Addiction” with Junk Food
When discussing junk food, “indulgence” or “treat” implies a conscious, occasional choice. “Addiction,” “can’t stop,” or “hooked” suggests a loss of control and a more problematic, compulsive relationship with these highly palatable foods. The vocabulary reflects perceived control.
David described his weekly ice cream as an “indulgence.” His friend, however, confessed, “I think I’m genuinely addicted to soda; I can’t get through the day without it.” Their differing vocabulary starkly contrasted a controlled treat versus a perceived dependency on junk food.
Analyzing the Adjectives We Use to Describe Our Most Desired Junk Foods
Adjectives used for desired junk foods are often highly sensory and positive: “gooey,” “crispy,” “creamy,” “decadent,” “rich,” “fluffy,” “mouth-watering,” “irresistible.” These words aim to evoke the anticipated pleasure and texture of the craved item.
Anna daydreamed about a “warm, gooey, decadent chocolate lava cake with a melting, creamy center.” The string of rich, sensory adjectives she used perfectly conveyed the intense pleasure and specific textures she associated with her most desired junk food.
The Power of Suggestion: How Hearing About Junk Food Can Trigger Craving Language
Merely hearing someone talk about a specific junk food, or seeing it mentioned in media, can trigger a strong craving and corresponding desire-focused language, even if one wasn’t previously thinking about that food. The power of suggestion is potent.
Liam was listening to a podcast where the hosts raved about spicy dill pickle chips. Suddenly, he found himself saying, “Oh man, now I really want some of those!” The conversation alone had triggered an intense craving and the urgent language of desire.
“Just One Bite Won’t Hurt”: The Rationalizing Language of Junk Food Desire
When faced with temptation, people often use rationalizing language like “Just one bite won’t hurt,” “I’ll be good tomorrow,” or “I deserve this” to justify giving in to a junk food craving, minimizing perceived negative consequences.
Sarah eyed the office donuts. “Just one small one won’t hurt my diet,” she told herself. This rationalizing language was her way of giving herself permission to indulge, a common internal negotiation when facing junk food desire.
The Verbs of Craving: “Yearning,” “Pining,” “Hankering” for Junk Food
The verbs used to express junk food cravings often convey a deep, almost emotional longing: “yearning for chocolate,” “pining for pizza,” “hankering for a donut.” These words suggest more than simple hunger; they imply a profound, specific desire.
Mark sighed, “I’ve been hankering for a good old-fashioned greasy cheeseburger all day.” The old-fashioned verb “hankering” perfectly captured his deep, persistent, and almost nostalgic desire for that specific junk food comfort.
How Marketing Language Creates Artificial “Need” for New Junk Food Products
Junk food marketers use persuasive language (“revolutionary new taste!” “you’ve never experienced anything like it!”) to create a sense of artificial “need” or intense curiosity for new products, driving trial and consumption even for items consumers didn’t previously know they wanted.
Chloe saw an ad for “Volcano Crunch Chips – The XTREME taste you NEED!” The capitalized, urgent language was designed to manufacture a desire, to make her feel she was missing out on an essential new junk food experience.
The Internal Monologue of a Junk Food Craving: A Stream of Consciousness
The internal monologue during a junk food craving can be a chaotic stream of consciousness: justifications (“I had a hard day”), bargaining (“Just a few”), sensory memories (“Remember how good those fries taste?”), and the battle between desire and restraint.
David’s internal monologue went: “Pizza. So cheesy. But I shouldn’t. But it’s Friday! Just two slices. Or maybe three? It would taste so good. I’ll work out extra tomorrow.” This stream of desire and justification was typical during a strong junk food craving.
The Euphemisms We Use for Junk Food Binges (“Cheat Day,” “Treat Meal”)
Euphemisms like “cheat day,” “treat meal,” “falling off the wagon,” or “letting loose” are often used to describe episodes of overconsuming junk food. These terms soften the reality, reduce guilt, or frame the binge as a planned or understandable deviation.
Anna, after eating an entire box of cookies, told her friend, “It was just my scheduled ‘treat meal’ getting a bit out of hand.” Using the euphemism “treat meal” instead of “binge” made the overindulgence sound more controlled and less problematic.
The Language of “Resistance” vs. “Surrender” to Junk Food Cravings
When battling a craving, people might use language of “resistance” (“I’m fighting the urge,” “staying strong”) or, if they give in, language of “surrender” (“I caved,” “the cookies won,” “I couldn’t help myself”), framing the experience as a conflict.
Liam stared at the cake. “I must resist!” he thought (resistance). A few minutes later, fork in hand, he sighed, “Okay, the cake won” (surrender). His language perfectly captured the internal battle and eventual capitulation to the junk food craving.
How Different Emotions Trigger Specific Junk Food Craving Language (“I’m So Stressed, I Deserve Fries”)
Emotions often trigger specific craving language. Stress might evoke, “I deserve fries.” Sadness could be, “I need ice cream.” Boredom might elicit, “I’m just craving something crunchy.” The language links the emotion to a specific junk food solution.
Sarah, overwhelmed at work, muttered, “I am so stressed, I absolutely deserve a giant order of greasy french fries right now.” Her intense emotion directly triggered a specific junk food craving, expressed with the language of earned indulgence.
The Metaphors We Use for Junk Food’s Allure (“Siren Song,” “Forbidden Fruit”)
Metaphors like “siren song” (irresistible but dangerous call), “forbidden fruit” (more desirable because it’s off-limits), or “Achilles’ heel” (a specific weakness) are used to describe the powerful, often problematic, allure of junk food.
Mark described donuts as his “siren song.” “Their sugary smell calls to me from the breakroom, and I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t resist!” The metaphor perfectly captured the tempting, almost perilous, allure of his favorite junk food.
Analyzing Song Lyrics That Perfectly Capture Junk Food Cravings
Many popular songs contain lyrics that vividly describe junk food cravings, the joy of indulgence, or the struggle with temptation, using everyday language and relatable imagery to capture these common human experiences.
Chloe listened to a pop song where the lyrics went, “Midnight, fridge light, looking for that sweet delight / Ice cream calling, I can’t fight this feeling tonight.” The simple, relatable words perfectly captured the universal experience of a late-night junk food craving.
The “If Only” Language of Unattainable Junk Food Cravings (e.g., Discontinued Items)
When craving a discontinued junk food or an item only available far away, people often use “if only” language (“If only they still made those!” “If only I could get a real Philly cheesesteak here!”), expressing a wistful, unattainable desire.
David sighed, “If only they still made Hydrox cookies. I’m craving them so badly.” This “if only” language expressed his deep, nostalgic, and ultimately unattainable desire for a specific, discontinued junk food from his past.
The Cross-Cultural Differences in Expressing Junk Food Desires
The way people express junk food cravings can vary culturally. Some cultures might be more direct, others more subtle or use specific local idioms. The “acceptable” level of public indulgence or craving talk also differs.
Anna, an American, would openly declare, “I’m dying for a burger!” Her Japanese friend, however, might more subtly suggest, “Perhaps some ramen would be nice later?” Their cross-cultural differences were reflected in how they voiced their junk food desires.
How Children Articulate Their Simple, Pure Cravings for Junk Food
Children often articulate junk food cravings with simple, direct, and adorably pure language: “I want candy!” “Can we get ice cream, pleeeeease?” Their desires are usually straightforward, unburdened by adult complexities of guilt or health concerns.
Liam’s four-year-old daughter tugged his sleeve at the store, eyes wide. “Daddy, I want the sparkly pink cookies!” she declared. Her simple, pure, and utterly direct articulation of her junk food craving was both endearing and hard to resist.
The Role of “Sensory Language” in Fueling Junk Food Cravings (Imagining the Taste, Smell, Texture)
Thinking or talking about junk food using vivid sensory language—imagining the “salty crunch” of chips, the “creamy melt” of chocolate, the “warm, yeasty smell” of pizza—can intensify cravings by activating the brain’s sensory memory and anticipation.
Sarah closed her eyes. “I can almost taste that salty, vinegary crunch of fresh-cut fries,” she murmured. Using such rich sensory language, even just in her thoughts, powerfully fueled her junk food craving by making it vividly real in her mind.
The Language of “Guilt” That Often Follows Satisfying a Junk Food Craving
After indulging a junk food craving, especially if it goes against dietary goals, people often use language of guilt: “I shouldn’t have eaten that,” “I feel so bad,” “That was a mistake.” This reflects a conflict between desire and perceived “correct” behavior.
Mark finished the entire bag of chips. “Oh, I feel so guilty now,” he groaned. “I really shouldn’t have done that.” The immediate pleasure of satisfying his junk food craving was quickly followed by the familiar language of regret and self-recrimination.
The “Bargaining” Language We Use with Ourselves Before Giving In to Junk Food
Before succumbing to a craving, individuals often engage in internal bargaining: “If I eat this donut now, I’ll skip dinner,” or “Just one cookie, then I’ll go for a run.” This linguistic negotiation attempts to justify the indulgence.
Chloe stared at the chocolate cake. “Okay, bargaining time,” she thought. “If I have a slice now, I promise I’ll eat a super healthy salad for lunch tomorrow.” This internal negotiation was her way of striking a deal with herself before giving in.
How Social Media Influencers Use Language to Stoke Desire for Junk Food
Influencers often use enthusiastic, highly descriptive, and relatable language when showcasing junk food (“OMG, this is the BEST burger EVER!”). They employ current slang and create a sense of FOMO to stoke desire and encourage their followers to try the products.
David watched an influencer unbox a new candy bar. “You guys, this is INSANE! The crunch is unreal, 10/10 would recommend!” their enthusiastic, slang-filled language and feigned ecstasy effectively stoked his desire to rush out and buy that junk food.
The Hyperbole of Junk Food Cravings (“I Could Die For a Slice of Pizza Right Now”)
People often use hyperbole—exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally—to express the intensity of their junk food cravings: “I’m starving, I could eat a horse!” or “I could die for a slice of pizza right now.”
Anna dramatically declared, “If I don’t get some chocolate in the next five minutes, I might actually cease to exist!” This hyperbole wasn’t literal, but it perfectly conveyed the overwhelming, all-consuming intensity of her junk food craving.
The “Secret Code” Language Friends Use When Planning a Junk Food Indulgence
Close friends might develop “secret code” words or phrases to discreetly signal a desire for a junk food outing or a shared indulgence, especially in situations where openly discussing it might be awkward (e.g., at work, around health-conscious family).
“Wanna go check the ‘ TPS reports’ later?” Liam texted his work bestie. This was their secret code for “Let’s sneak out for donuts.” This playful, coded language allowed them to plan their junk food indulgences discreetly.
The Linguistic Shift When a “Want” for Junk Food Becomes a Perceived “Need”
A subtle but significant linguistic shift occurs when a simple “want” or “desire” for junk food (“I’d like a cookie”) escalates into a perceived, urgent “need” (“I need a cookie right now”), often reflecting increased craving intensity or emotional triggering.
Sarah initially thought, “A cookie sounds nice.” An hour later, after a stressful call, her internal voice changed: “I absolutely NEED that cookie, or I’m going to lose it.” The linguistic shift from a casual want to a desperate, perceived need was palpable.
Analyzing the Language of Food Critics Reviewing (Good or Bad) Junk Food
Food critics reviewing junk food (from fast food to gourmet snacks) use specific culinary vocabulary to describe taste, texture, and presentation. Their language can elevate (or humorously denigrate) these items, influencing public perception beyond simple enjoyment.
Mark read a food critic’s review of a new “artisanal” hot dog: “The snappy casing yielded to a surprisingly nuanced, smoky interior, though the brioche bun was somewhat pedestrian.” The sophisticated language lent an air of seriousness even to reviewing humble junk food.
The Difference in Language Used for Savory vs. Sweet Junk Food Cravings
Cravings for savory junk food are often described with words like “salty,” “crunchy,” “cheesy,” “greasy,” “umami-rich.” Sweet cravings use terms like “sugary,” “creamy,” “chocolatey,” “gooey,” “decadent.” The adjectives reflect the distinct sensory profiles.
Chloe craved something “salty and super crunchy,” like chips. Later, she wanted something “rich, dark, and intensely chocolatey.” The language she used to describe her savory versus sweet junk food cravings highlighted distinct sensory desires and vocabulary.
The “Future Pacing” Language of Anticipating a Planned Junk Food Treat
“Future pacing” involves vividly imagining and describing an anticipated future pleasure. When planning a junk food treat, people might say, “Tomorrow, I’m going to get that amazing milkshake, and it’s going to be so cold and creamy…” This builds anticipation.
David was looking forward to his “cheat meal” on Saturday. “I can already taste that double bacon cheeseburger,” he told his friend, “and the fries are going to be perfectly crispy.” This “future pacing” language, vividly imagining the experience, heightened his anticipation.
How Junk Food Brands Use “Question-Based” Language to Spark Cravings in Ads
Junk food ads often use questions (“Thirsty?” “Got a craving?” “What’s for dinner?”) to directly engage consumers, make them consider their current state, and subtly suggest their product as the answer or solution, thereby sparking a craving.
Anna saw a billboard: “Feeling that afternoon slump? Need a pick-me-up?” followed by a picture of an energy bar. The question-based language was designed to make her identify a “problem” (slump) and see their junk food product as the immediate solution.
The Language of “Justification” for Expensive or Over-the-Top Junk Food Cravings
When craving expensive or extremely indulgent junk food, people use justificatory language: “I deserve this splurge,” “It’s a special occasion,” “You only live once (YOLO),” “It’s an experience.” This helps rationalize the cost or excess.
Liam eyed the $25 “Gold-Dusted Uni Donut.” “Well, YOLO, right?” he said, pulling out his wallet. “And it’s for my ‘explore weird foods’ blog!” The language of justification helped him rationalize the expensive, over-the-top junk food craving.
The Non-Verbal Language of Junk Food Cravings (Staring, Drooling, Fidgeting)
Beyond words, junk food cravings manifest non-verbally: prolonged staring at food images or displays, slight drooling, restless fidgeting, lip licking, or even unconscious mimicking of chewing motions, all signaling intense desire.
Sarah’s son stood transfixed before the bakery window, eyes wide, a tiny bead of drool escaping his lips as he stared at the cupcakes. His non-verbal cues – the intense stare, the drool – spoke volumes about his powerful junk food craving, no words needed.
The Diminutives and Affectionate Terms We Use for Favorite Junk Foods (“Lil’ Cookie,” “My Precious Chips”)
Using diminutives (“just a lil’ cookie”) or terms of endearment (“my precious bag of chips”) for favorite junk foods can be a playful way to express affection for these treats, minimize perceived indulgence, or add a touch of humor to cravings.
Mark patted the family-size bag of chips. “Ah, my precious,” he murmured Gollum-style. This affectionate, slightly humorous personification of his favorite junk food was a common way people express their deep love for certain snacks.
The Poetic (and Pathetic) Language of a Late-Night Junk Food Craving Diary
A diary entry detailing a late-night junk food craving might employ dramatic, almost poetic language to describe the intensity of desire (“Oh, cruel moon, why dost thou illuminate the path to the cookie jar?”), or self-pitying, pathetic language about succumbing.
“1 AM,” Chloe wrote in her journal. “The siren song of the leftover pizza whispers my name from the fridge. My willpower, a forgotten ruin.” Her late-night craving diary entries often veered into the hilariously poetic and slightly pathetic.
How the Language of “Scarcity” (Limited Time Offers) Amplifies Junk Food Desire
Marketing language emphasizing scarcity (“Limited Time Only!” “While Supplies Last!” “Get it Before It’s Gone!”) creates a fear of missing out (FOMO) and psychologically amplifies desire for the junk food item, making it seem more valuable and urgent.
David saw the sign: “McRib: Farewell Tour! Last Chance!” The language of impending scarcity and finality instantly amplified his desire. He had to get one, even though he only sort of liked it. The marketing worked.
The Interjections and Exclamations Associated with Satisfying a Junk Food Craving (“OMG! Yum!”)
Satisfying a strong junk food craving often elicits enthusiastic interjections and exclamations like “OMG!” “Yum!” “Yes!” “Ahhh!” “Mmmm!” These spontaneous vocalizations express immediate pleasure, relief, and sensory delight.
Anna took her first bite of the warm, gooey brownie she’d craved all day. “Oh. My. GOD! Yummmm!” she exclaimed. These interjections were pure, unadulterated expressions of junk food craving satisfaction.
The Language of “Aftermath” When Describing a Junk Food Binge (Regret, Bloating)
After a junk food binge, descriptive language often shifts to reflect negative physical and emotional consequences: “I feel so bloated,” “Ugh, sugar crash,” “I regret everything,” “My stomach hurts.”
Liam lay on the couch, groaning. “I ate the whole pizza. I regret nothing… and everything,” he mumbled. “So bloated. Definitely a food coma.” The language of the “aftermath” was one of physical discomfort and often, mild self-loathing.
How Different Personality Types Verbally Express Their Junk Food Cravings
An extrovert might loudly declare their craving to the office, while an introvert might quietly write it in a journal. A pragmatic type might say, “I require sustenance, preferably fried,” while an emotional type might sigh, “Only chocolate understands me right now.”
Sarah, an extrovert, announced to her team, “People, I am dying for a donut! Who’s with me?” Her introverted deskmate, meanwhile, silently Googled “donut delivery near me.” Their personality types clearly shaped how they verbally (or internally) expressed their junk food cravings.
The Evolution of Personal Craving Language Throughout a Diet or Health Journey
As someone progresses on a health journey, their language around cravings may evolve. Initial intense, demanding language (“I NEED IT!”) might shift to more mindful observation (“I’m noticing a desire for X”) or strategic planning (“I’ll have a small, planned treat”).
Mark used to say, “I’m addicted to fries!” After months of healthier eating, his craving language softened to, “Hmm, some fries sound nice, but maybe I’ll have baked sweet potatoes instead.” His personal vocabulary around desire had noticeably evolved.
The Power of “Naming” Your Cravings to Gain Control Over Them
Acknowledging and specifically “naming” a craving (e.g., “This isn’t hunger, this is my 3 PM ‘boredom cookie’ craving”) can create psychological distance and awareness, making it easier to analyze and gain control over the urge rather than blindly succumbing.
Chloe felt the familiar urge for chips. “Ah,” she thought, “there’s ‘Stressy,’ my salty snack monster.” By “naming” her specific stress-induced craving, she felt a little more detached and empowered to choose a different response than just automatically reaching for the bag.
The Shared Vocabulary Within Online Communities Dedicated to Specific Junk Foods
Online fan communities for specific junk foods (e.g., a particular soda, a cult-favorite candy) often develop a shared vocabulary, inside jokes, acronyms, and specific descriptive terms unique to their shared passion and experiences with that item.
David joined an online forum for “Taco Bell Aficionados.” They had a whole shared vocabulary: “Baja Blast Bliss,” “Fourth Meal Feelings,” and acronyms for custom orders. This unique lingo fostered a sense of community around their beloved junk food.
The Subconscious Linguistic Cues That Reveal Hidden Junk Food Desires
Subtle linguistic cues—frequent mentions of a specific food, lingering on descriptions, using wistful tones when others eat it, or even Freudian slips—can subconsciously reveal a person’s hidden or suppressed junk food desires.
Anna kept saying how “amazing” her colleague’s birthday cake looked, describing the frosting in great detail, even while claiming she wasn’t hungry. Her lingering, enthusiastic language was a subconscious linguistic cue revealing her hidden desire for a slice.
The Language of “Defeat” When a Diet Is Broken by a Junk Food Craving
When a diet is “broken” by succumbing to a junk food craving, individuals often use language of defeat, failure, or self-blame: “I blew it,” “I have no willpower,” “I’m so weak,” “The diet is over.”
Liam, who had sworn off sugar, ate three cookies. “Well, I blew it,” he sighed. “I’m just too weak for this.” The language of defeat and self-blame was common when a strong junk food craving derailed his well-intentioned diet.
How Storytelling (Personal Anecdotes) Can Intensify Shared Junk Food Cravings
Sharing vivid personal anecdotes about delicious junk food experiences—a memorable meal, a favorite childhood treat—can trigger mirror responses and sensory imagination in listeners, intensifying shared cravings among a group.
Sarah told her friends about the “most amazing, gooey, triple-chocolate brownie” she’d had last week. Her vivid storytelling, describing every decadent detail, soon had everyone in the group craving chocolate intensely, a testament to the power of shared food narratives.
The Use of “Authoritative” Language by Health Gurus to Shame Junk Food Cravings
Some health gurus or wellness influencers use authoritative, often judgmental or fear-mongering, language to condemn junk food and shame cravings, creating a sense of moral failing around desires for less “clean” foods.
Mark watched a health guru online declare, “Craving sugar is a sign of WEAKNESS! You MUST CRUSH those desires!” This authoritative, shaming language made Mark feel guilty about his natural enjoyment of a simple cookie, a common tactic in some wellness circles.
The Playful vs. Serious Language We Use Depending on the Junk Food Craving’s Intensity
A mild junk food craving might be expressed playfully (“Ooh, a cookie would be nice!”). An intense, overwhelming craving often elicits more serious, urgent, or even desperate language (“If I don’t get pizza soon, someone’s gonna get hurt!”).
“I could go for some chips,” Chloe said casually early in the day. By evening, after a stressful day, it was, “I am in desperate, serious need of an entire family-sized bag of salt and vinegar chips, IMMEDIATELY.” The intensity of her craving dictated her language.
The Linguistic Link Between Stress, Comfort, and Craving Specific Junk Foods
When stressed, people often articulate cravings for specific “comfort” junk foods using language that links the food to anticipated emotional relief: “I need a hug in a mug (hot chocolate),” “Only greasy pizza can fix this day.”
David, facing a tight deadline, muttered, “I just need something warm, cheesy, and carby to make it all go away.” His language clearly linked his stress to a craving for a specific type of comforting junk food – in this case, mac and cheese.
The Most Creative (and Desperate) Ways People Ask for Junk Food
Desperate junk food cravings can inspire creative, humorous, or overly dramatic linguistic pleas: writing poems to pizza, leaving pleading voicemails for a donut delivery, or offering outlandish barters for a single candy bar.
Anna, snowed in and out of chocolate, texted her neighbor: “SOS! Will trade my firstborn (or at least do your dishes for a week) for a single bar of dark chocolate. This is a Code Red craving!” Her desperate, creative plea highlighted the power of true junk food desire.
The “Internal Negotiation” Language Before Succumbing to a Group Junk Food Order
When a group decides to order junk food (e.g., office pizza), individuals often engage in an internal linguistic negotiation: “Should I? I was being good… But everyone else is… Maybe just one slice… Okay, fine, I’m in.”
Liam’s team decided on pizza for lunch. His internal monologue: “No, I packed a salad… But it’s Friday… Maybe just one small slice… Oh, what the heck, I’m in for two!” This silent “internal negotiation” was a common precursor to joining a group junk food order.
How the Language of “Celebration” Justifies Even Unwanted Junk Food Cravings
Labeling an occasion as a “celebration” (a birthday, a small win, Friday) provides linguistic justification for indulging in junk food, even if one isn’t truly craving it, as the “celebratory” context overrides normal dietary restraint.
Sarah wasn’t even hungry for cake, but it was Susan’s birthday. “Well, it’s a celebration, you have to have cake!” everyone insisted. The language of “celebration” provided the perfect social justification for the otherwise unwanted junk food indulgence.
Inventing Your Own Personal “Craving Scale” Language (From “Meh” to “CODE RED JUNK FOOD NOW!”)
Some individuals develop a personal “craving scale” with unique linguistic markers to describe the intensity of their junk food desires, ranging from mild (“a whisper of want”) to moderate (“serious hankering”) to extreme (“DEFCON 1, cookie emergency!”).
Mark had his own craving scale. “Level 1: A passing thought of chips. Level 3: Actively seeking chocolate. Level 5: CODE RED, all junk food defenses down, send pizza STAT!” This personal language helped him (and his wife) gauge the severity of his desires.