Daily habits that make cravings worse

Are your servings big? Or you're pairing the food you crave with something unhealthy? There are some mistakes that can make cravings more intense and frequent.

Here's a list of mistakes that make cravings even worse, reports huffingtonpost.com:

* Your serving is too big: You've got a craving for brownies, you're going to have some, and you're okay with that. So you take three. But you probably only needed half, suggests a 2013 study from Cornell University. So, take a small serving, eat it and enjoy, and then wait 15 minutes until the yearning for more subsides.

* You don't know why you are craving something: You can't get your hand out of the bag of cheesy crackers. If you don't understand why, you can't do anything about it, says Christine Palumbo, a faculty member of Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. She recommends keeping a cravings journal. You can just jot down a few notes on your phone. When a craving hits, log your emotions like you're tired, anxious, stressed or bored. Eventually, you'll pick out common patterns, and you can deal with the causes head on, rather than trying to eat as a solution.

* You don't pair the food you crave with something healthy: You can satisfy your yearning while still eating healthy by pairing a larger portion of healthy foods with a small amount of what you think you want. It works because it makes meals more fun and tasty, but still gives your body the nutrition it needs to function at its best, suggests a Vanderbilt University study. You can order salad with grilled salmon with a side of fries or get a piece of grilled chicken and veggies with a small bowl of mac and cheese.

* You keep temptation around: The mental battle between you and the box of cookies in the pantry does not have to be fought every day. Out of sight, out of mind works in this case. If it's 10 p.m. and you want a cookie, you're probably not going to go out and get some. On the other hand, if they're staring you in the face every time you open the pantry, it's all too easy to grab one.

* You use Instagram or Pinterest: A fudge-topped sundae or Pizza! Food photos are fun to look at, but don't be shocked when suddenly you're struck with a desire to run to the nearest restaurant. In a small preliminary study from the University of Southern California, researchers found that images of high-calorie foods spark more activity in the reward areas of the brain than photos of low-calorie fare.