What Does Craving Chocolate Mean? 6 Possible Reasons

We’ve all been there: the dreaded 4 p.m. slump. To give yourself some extra energy to get through to dinnertime, you reach for the chocolate bar in your desk drawer or cut yourself an extra slice of chocolate cake at the office party. Or maybe you’re just someone who can’t resist chocolate, no matter what time of day it is.

And we wouldn’t blame you. Most people find chocolate to be intoxicating, and the cravings can be traced all the way back to our ancestors.

Dr. Mindy Haar, PhD, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist and Assistant Dean at New York Institute of Technology’s School of Health Professions, explains that early humans viewed the desire for sugar and fat as beneficial—something that has evolved with us over time.

She says, “A sensitivity to sweet tastes allowed individuals to distinguish fruit that was at the peak of freshness and vitamin and mineral content. An enjoyment of fat propelled people to eat high-fat foods, which increased the chance of survival during periods of food scarcity.”

Although most of us are fortunate enough to have nutrient-dense food available to us at any time, Dr. Haar says that the food industry reinforces this innate desire for sugar and fat by creating foods, like chocolate, that for some is not just satisfying—it’s irresistible.