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Here is the psychology behind your cravings
 The siren call of a packet of potato crisps or a pint of ice cream is often powerful, especially when you are parked in front of your telly.
Part of this urge to munch on something may be related to the visual cues you get, especially from commercials that stimulate a need for food.
Over time, this may become a learned response that is triggered just by watching TV. There is no need for the sight of food to stimulate the urge to snack.
Some people may also have been conditioned to snack from childhood, thanks to seeing their parents snack while watching TV.
People snack more in groups too. This may explain why some may snack more when watching a World Cup match with friends.
Food and drink have always been used as a social lubricant, say local doctors. Coupled with what is known about TV and snacking, the combined effect is additive.
However, why do people prefer unhealthy snacks?
Snacks like chips, chocolates and carbonated drinks are high in sugar, fat and salt and are usually full of flavour, making them more tasty and able to satisfy cravings. Fats, in particular, help carry flavour, which is why high fat snacks taste good.
Due to the intense stimuli and emotions one feels during a match, the flavours needed for the taste stimulation to be felt would also have to be comparably intense.
With salty food comes the need to quench one’s thirst. Plain water just will not do for many people.
If you reach for alcohol or sweetened drinks, you will easily have consumed 300 calories unknowingly, on top of the 500 calories of junk food that you have just eaten.
In one night, or just two hours, you would have eaten enough for half a day. Worse, there would be no time to burn it off as after watching a match, people simply hit the sack.
You have been warned.
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