What does it mean to be addicted to fish? Food preferences will tell about the character
A person's food preferences can tell a lot about the characteristics of his personality, the American scientist believes. He explained how people are characterized by love for salty, spicy and sweet. A person's food preferences can tell a lot about the characteristics of his personality, the American scientist believes. He explained how people are characterized by love for salty, spicy and sweet.
Dr. Alan Hirsch, head of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, has been studying eating habits for about 25 years, with more than 18,000 people participating in his research. He believes that the irresistible desire to eat a certain product is due not only to the needs of the body, but also to character traits.
"This craving has a certain physiological basis, but it also helps to understand what kind of person you really are," the website quotes the American scientist as saying.
So, for example, those people who are "drawn to the salty", according to Dr. Hirsch, tend to "go with the flow." According to Hirsch, lovers of salty food believe that external forces determine their fate, and not their own aspirations.
Spicy food stimulates the intensity of metabolism, warms the body. From the point of view of psychology, addiction to spicy says that a person loves order, does not want to waste time and go into details.
Chocolate, Hirsch argues, is a powerful antidepressant that replenishes the body with pleasure hormones. For those who prefer dark chocolate, life is an endless celebration. Such a person lives easily and is always in the center of events. Those who prefer milk chocolate, on the contrary, are quiet people, immersed in their inner experiences.
Those who prefer candy are, in general, like people who love chocolate. In general, sweet tooth more than others follow the call of instincts, says Hirsch. He describes them as very cheerful people who are not accustomed to regret their deeds. They love to stand out from the crowd and feel unique.
Those who equally strongly love both sweets and salty, sluggish metabolism, the scientist claims. Such people are usually loners. Outwardly, they seem restrained, but in practice they often manifest themselves as creative natures.
This is not the first time such studies have been carried out. So, last year, the Turkish psychiatrist Nihat Kai published the results of a long-term study, during which the scientist discovered. The psychiatrist claims that chocolate lovers experience an acute lack of love. Deep down, they feel lonely and unhappy, they lack pity and attention.
Nervous and aggressive people prefer meat, especially beef, the Turkish scientist believes. But people who prefer mainly fruits and vegetables have a calm and balanced character.
Meanwhile, back in the 19th century, the biochemist Alexander Danilevsky, having conducted an experiment on pigeons, proved that meat-eaters are prone to aggression and increased nervousness, and fruit lovers are calm and balanced. For several weeks, the scientist fed one group of birds with peas, and the other with boiled meat. At the end of the experiment, carnivorous pigeons turned into real predators, moreover, incredibly hot-tempered. Those birds that ate peas were still good-natured.
According to other studies, sausage and boiled meat are preferred by assiduous, diligent and obligatory people. Love for fatty foods betrays a jealous nature. Passion for barbecue and smoked sausage speaks of romance, wild imagination and a thirst for travel. Love for seafood also speaks of dreaminess.
According to psychotherapist Vladimir Esaulov, addiction to dairy products betrays the need for care: "After all, this food is associated with mother's milk, and therefore with a period of life when we were protected and surrounded by love." The craving for spicy, the psychotherapist believes, betrays a desire to add "pepper" to life, to hard foods - nuts, hard fruits - a desire to win.
Russian psychologist Alexander Makarov argues that generous and democratic people with a broad soul prefer tomatoes, sensitive people prefer cucumbers, cabbage and beans - those who lack courage and determination. Makarov considers lovers of carrots and apples to be the most healthy and mentally balanced, but the scientist classifies admirers of sour, salty and pickled as tyrants, although not always explicit.
According to many astrologers, each sign of the zodiac has its own eating habits, a distinctive way of preparing food, and varied preferences associated with particular types of food. Some prefer traditional food, while others like experiments and exotics more. There are also signs that are generally not too interested in food or are overly picky about dishes. So, how does the horoscope affect nutrition?
Aries
Aries love spicy food that fills them with warmth and energy. They don't have time for long meals because they are always busy and on the move. They have a habit of eating too fast so as not to waste time. Aries prefer foods that are high in calories, which suits their active nature well. Aries is a fire sign that affects the tastes of such people. If you don't have the same preference for everything spicy and hot, you won't like Aries food. Aries have a big appetite, they like to experiment and usually choose a diet rich in protein, realizing that this is exactly what they need. Representatives of this sign often have problems with eating. During illness, they should especially carefully monitor their diet. Tip: Eat slowly and avoid alcoholic drinks. 
Taurus
Representatives of this sign are real gourmets. They have a huge appetite, they know how to enjoy food. No matter what is on the plate, Taurus wants food to awaken all the senses, and do not save if we are talking about quality. Only exquisitely prepared dishes can fully satisfy them. Dieting is very difficult for them, but they love to cook. When Taurus has enough life experience, you can learn a lot of recipes from him. The biggest test for them is to give up sweets, pasta and bread. Representatives of this sign do not like to be distracted from food. They want to feel relaxed and calm at dinner. the main problem lies in their need to hide emotions through food, which can lead to problems with being overweight and other negative health consequences. Tip: try replacing sweets with fresh fruit. 
Twins
Geminis are almost never overweight. For them, pleasant conversation at dinner is much more important than the food they eat. Eating is not one of their favorite activities, but they enjoy cooking. Their kitchen is the place where they show their creativity. Their curiosity becomes the basis for a talent for combining ingredients. Even conservatives will not be able to resist the food prepared by Gemini. This sign needs a variety of foods. They can skip several meals and not feel discomfort, as long as this does not happen daily. The likelihood that the Twins will suffer from diseases associated with the use of harmful products is minimal. Tip: stick to a routine and eat at the same time every day. 
Cancer
Crayfish are known for their culinary talents. They love food home cooking, created according to the recipe of the grandmother. They buy expensive and high-quality ingredients. People born under this sign do not like to share food and prefer to eat until they feel full. They don't care too much about their health and therefore often overeat, especially if they are worried or frightened. They have a sensitive stomach, which can sometimes help control appetite. Raki is a great company at the table. Tip: learn to control your appetite when you are worried or afraid. 
a lion
Leos love expensive food made with the finest ingredients. They want to eat in luxurious restaurants, in plain sight. Nevertheless, they have enough determination to maintain discipline and adhere to healthy habits. Lions love to eat in the company of other people, often they eat once a day, but a lot. Such people are perfectly able to set the table for guests, although they do not like to cook too much. Usually they have a strong stomach, but the heart suffers from an unbalanced diet. Tip: Eat more vegetables and fruits. 
Virgo
Virgos have sensitive stomachs and should be careful about what's on their plate. Because of their need for self-sacrifice, Virgos are great at dieting without succumbing to temptations. Slow metabolism is one of the problems of this sign, so its representatives should eat more raw vegetables and fruits to support digestion. Virgos are capable of real magic in the kitchen, they actively use their talent to create perfect meals. Tip: Eat small meals to avoid stomach discomfort. 
scales
Libra loves food, but even more they love all the accompanying processes. Every meal for them is a holiday, although they prefer everything in small portions. Representatives of this sign are often addicted to chocolate and sweets, they would rather refuse the main course than dessert. They like it when food looks pretty. While cooking, they always try to decorate the food. Tip: eat chocolate and sweets in moderation if you want to keep your figure. 
Scorpion
Scorpios like high-calorie foods, they often feel hungry even at night. An empty refrigerator and lack of spices make them angry. They love spicy food. Scorpios don't like to cook much, although they do it very well, because they perfectly combine different ingredients. Scorpio will not be able to pretend that he likes the dish if he does not. Usually the representatives of the sign have a slender body, but not because they eat little, but because they immediately go on a diet if they feel that they have overeaten. Tip: avoid alcohol and fast food, drink plenty of water every day. 
Sagittarius
Representatives of this sign are curious, they love experiments and want to try as much as possible. They like exotic, unusual, spicy food. Extremes appear in their diet, often they just eat a lot. Sometimes they feel very hungry and actively empty their plates, and sometimes they are ready to starve for days, because they don’t even think about food. Due to their tendency to overeat and drink too much, this sign suffers from digestive problems. Tip: Avoid overeating and don't take a supplement. 
Capricorn
Capricorns are tireless at work, but they always have time for a lunch break. For them, quality is always more important than quantity. They need a clear routine. They need a pleasant atmosphere during meals. They hate being forced to eat. Capricorns love homemade dishes, which are often salted. Tip: add salt in moderation so as not to harm yourself. 
Aquarius
Aquarians are not selfish and know how to share food. They prefer low-calorie meals. If they are busy, they will eat anything, so they should be careful with fast food. They love to enjoy the new and unusual. Representatives of this sign are often vegetarians, they love the taste of vegetables and fruits. They rarely cook and don't like to follow recipes because they limit them. Tip: don't eat late at night, try to eat a healthy and filling breakfast. 
Fishes
Fish enjoy food. They show their imagination, love specific foods and know how to show their affection for loved ones by cooking. They appreciate good company at the table and love to dine by candlelight. The downside is their love of alcohol. Alcohol abuse can negatively affect their lives and greatly undermine their health. Tip: Drink plenty of water and follow cleansing diets regularly.
Healthy eating is a sign of high culture, self-respect. Everyone loves to eat deliciously, but the taste needs of the body depend on the mental state of a person, and not on expediency. According to human emotions, there are six tastes - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, tart, astringent.
If all these tastes are present in a balanced state, then food gives health and happiness. If, depending on our shortcomings in behavior and character, we violate this harmony, then diseases come. Here are some examples of such dependence.
Cravings for sweets
Being in a state of laziness, a person wants sweet. From excess sugar in the body, defenses decrease, metabolism is disturbed, the functions of the liver, pancreas, small vessels, vision suffers. A lot of sweets are consumed by those who do not want to solve their problems.
Craving for bitter
Experiencing grief, a person tends to eat bitter products (mustard, rye bread, coffee) As a result, chronic infections, diseases of the blood, and the skeletal system appear.
Craving for sour
Pessimistic, touchy person wants sour. Sour in excessive use harms the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, joints, disrupts the internal environment of the body. Fussy, stressed man wants oversalted food. Excessively salty is the enemy of the vessels of the whole organism, bronchi, kidneys, joints. 
Craving for tart
Stubborn, assertive, unrestrained people love excessively tart. Such food leads to diseases of hormonal organs, bronchi, spine, joints, bones. Addicted to acute food is experienced by angry, overly temperamental people, resulting in inflammatory processes in the liver, pancreas, stomach, heart, and genitals. Need in fried food occurs with rudeness, fatigue, aversion to work. This leads to an overload of the vessels of the brain, liver, stomach, hormonal and immune functions are disturbed.
Craving for fat
Greedy people love unnecessarily fatty- this leads to diseases of metabolism, stomach, liver, skeletal system. People who are in constant mental stress, do not know how to be distracted from problems, prefer to tone up the body with tea, coffee, St. John's wort, oregano. This is the main reason for smoking. The result of such habits is damage to the vessels of the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver. The function of the gonads decreases, the blood system suffers.
Passion for quantity
Irritable, stubborn, greedy, fussy people love eat a lot, rush while eating- appears excess weight, blood pressure disorders, hormonal disorders, disorders in the spine, the body's defenses are reduced. With callousness, greed, a bad attitude towards people, cruelty, excessive attachment to things, there is a craving for meat. 
craving for fish
Cruelty and straightforwardness creates a need for fish food. These products are defiled and contain the energy of murder, so since ancient times it has been believed that if a person eats meat and fish, then the power of death begins to increase in him. Hence pessimism, constant irritability, malignant tumors, accidents. In addition, these products require a lot of energy for digestion, as a result, all other body functions are weakened, including the natural desire for self-healing. Diseases become chronic.
Does life without salted fish or chocolate seem meaningless to you? Scientists believe that a strong craving for certain foods indicates a lack of vital substances in the body.
Of course, you can justify your unreasonable eating behavior with the statement “if the body wants it, then it needs it.” But this will not help solve the problem of lack of vitamins and minerals. To get rid of "food addiction", review your daily diet and make it as varied and useful as possible. After all, the deficiency of certain substances in the body, and hence the increased craving for a particular food, are the result of an unbalanced diet.
Passion is salty and spicy
If you are drawn to a particular product, determine what attracts you to it. For example, when you feel an irresistible desire to eat a piece of salami or are ready to give your life for a bag of salted pistachios, this does not always mean that your body is in dire need of sausage or nuts. Most likely, he does not have enough salt.
Moderately salt food and do not get carried away with salt-free diets. According to recent studies, 1 gram of salt, if slowly absorbed in the mouth after dinner, contributes to good digestion and absorption of foods. Of course, this advice can only be used by those who do not have indications for salt restriction.
Passion chocolate-sweet
More often than others, caffeine lovers and those whose brains especially need glucose suffer from “chocolate addiction”. This also applies to other sweets. If you eat an unbalanced diet, your body will also need glucose as the fastest source of energy. Chocolate is the perfect way to do this. But keep in mind that this product contains a lot of fat, the excess of which is dangerous for your blood vessels and figure.
Eat more vegetables and grains - they are rich complex carbohydrates. And as a dessert, choose dried fruits or honey with a small amount of nuts.
passion cheese
Spicy, salty, with and without spices... You can't live a day without it - you're ready to absorb it in kilograms (in any case, eat at least 100 g per day). Nutritionists claim that those who are in dire need of calcium and phosphorus adore cheese. Of course, cheese is the richest source of these much-needed and extremely beneficial to the body substances, but fats ...
Try replacing cheese with broccoli cabbage - it has a lot of calcium and phosphorus, and almost no calories. If your body perceives milk well, drink 1-2 glasses a day, and eat a little cheese (no more than 50 g per day) and along with raw vegetables.
Passion sour-lemon
Perhaps your diet is dominated by hard-to-digest foods, and the body is trying to increase the acidity of gastric juice to facilitate its work. With a cold, you can also be drawn to sour fruits and berries - an excellent source of vitamin C.
Choose moderate-fat meals and don't mix too many foods in one sitting. Avoid fried, salted and overly spicy foods, as well as those that have been overcooked. Noticing problems with digestion (especially from the liver and gallbladder), be sure to be examined by a gastroenterologist.
Passion smoked
Passion for smoked meats and similar delicacies usually overcomes those who sit on too strict diet. Long-term restriction in the diet of fat-containing foods leads to a decrease in the level of "good" cholesterol in the blood, and smoked meats contain an abundance of saturated fats.
Do not get carried away with low-fat food - choose one that still has a little fat. For example, buy yogurt, kefir or fermented baked milk with one or two percent fat. Eat at least a tablespoon of vegetable and a teaspoon butter per day, even if you are on a strict diet. Scientists have empirically proven that it is those who consume enough fat that lose weight faster.
Food passions and diseases
Onions, garlic, spices and seasonings. An acute need for these foods and spices, as a rule, indicates problems with the respiratory system.
Olives and olives. Such an addiction is possible with a disorder of the thyroid gland.
Ice cream. People with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, hypoglycemia or diabetes mellitus have a special love for him.
Bananas. If you lose your head from the smell of ripe bananas, pay attention to the state of your heart.
Sunflower seeds. The desire to gnaw on seeds most often occurs in those who are in dire need of antioxidant vitamins. This means that your body has a lot of free radicals - the main provocateurs of premature aging.
Text - Svetlana Abakumenko
Consultant - Svetlana Fus, nutritionist
About what addiction to the six main tastes that Ayurveda distinguishes about health, in the material of the site.
By learning to recognize the connection between food and its ability to sublimate unmet emotional needs, we will learn to make the right choices that will bring us health and happiness. Do you think these are lines of scientific research? And here it is not. This is Ayurveda. Katie Silkox, author of Healthy, Happy, Sexy, translates ancient Ayurveda into modern language psychology.
You have probably noticed how embarrassing it can be to admit that you eat under the influence of emotions, overeat or grab food unconsciously. But how we eat is completely inseparable from our fundamental beliefs about life. Our attitude to food is nothing but a mirror reflection of ideas about love, fear, anger, the meaning of life. Ayurveda teaches this. Yes, and our everyday life- too. There is an inextricable link between longing and buying a box of chocolates or a pack of chips, which, if we don’t notice, is only because this addiction goes deep into the subconscious so as not to harm self-esteem and an adequate perception of one’s own “I”.
Food as the basis of life
In Ayurveda, food is considered as one of the three most important pillars on which the health and full life of a person in this world is based. It is from malnutrition that all diseases come. When we eat the “wrong” foods, eat late at night, or don’t eat enough seasonal vegetables and fruits, the balance is upset. In addition, food is energy in its purest form, we cannot exist without it. However, you need to eat right, in accordance with your constitution. When there is an irresistible craving for a certain taste (Ayurveda considers six basic tastes), it is worth talking about the occurrence of misunderstanding. Because food essentially symbolizes nourishment and care, we indulge in it when we feel the need for security, love, and stability. This erroneous substitution is deeply rooted. When we were little, perhaps no one respected our desires. It was then that we stopped listening to the inner voice, to understand what we really strive for, therefore at that moment we had an unnatural craving for this or that food that we brought with us to adulthood. Think about it: Has anyone taught you to listen to your body? Understand what the body needs? Focus on his signals? Tastes and food preferences formed in childhood naturally pass into adulthood. If we have been taught to eat right, chances are we will continue to do so when we grow up. But if we were fed sweets for good behavior or scolded that we eat what makes us fat, most likely we will upset the balance of nutrition in adulthood. Habits are very strong.
Digestive disorders - flatulence, constipation, heartburn and others - is a complaint of our body, which lacks love and other emotions. This is a kind of signal that certain needs are not satisfied. Our stomachs can become angry and restless because we don't take good care of ourselves. And perhaps in this way he shows us that we are experiencing anxiety or disturbed the balance of the mind. Digestive problems are not only due to the excessive consumption of unhealthy foods. Even when we eat wholesome foods but are satiated, or eat when we are sad, stressed, and angry, our body is affected. Interestingly, Ayurveda has prepared a recipe for each case. For example, when the mind and emotions are seething, one should calm them down, for example, with kitchari - a spicy vegetarian dish, one of the main dishes in Ayurvedic cuisine - and vegetable soup.
Passion for food in conjunction with emotions
Ancient teaching distinguishes six different categories of tastes: sweet, salty, sour, pungent (piquant), bitter, and astringent. It is believed that we are drawn to a certain taste, since products that have it affect our psyche, emotions and body. Being in balance, a person experiences cravings for tastes that strengthen this balance. But if it is broken, we are drawn to products that become a temporary sublimation of emotions, that is, we direct them in a different direction, and as a result, this passion intensifies.
An unhealthy craving for a certain type of food indicates that something is missing in our lives. But how can you tell the difference between "good" and "bad" traction? In principle, it is possible to do this. Having satisfied a "good" passion, we are full of energy and vitality. "Bad" temporarily sublimates this or that emotional need, but later we have a feeling that something is wrong. By analyzing our unhealthy desires, we can understand what we lack (on a conscious or subconscious level) and what emotional needs are not met.
sweet taste
Sweets are equivalent to hugs, human warmth, support. When our emotions do not find a response in the hearts of others, then we seek solace in the nearest candy store. Emotionally, when we eat sweets, we feel cared for—as if someone is taking care of us. In reasonable amounts, it calms the mind and body and gives a sense of stability. Imagine an evening after a tense, full of business and worries working day. Maybe there was no one to hug or comfort you. There was no one to touch you and say: “Everything will be fine. Everything will definitely work out. Tomorrow will be a great day." In this situation, it is entirely logical that you will subconsciously feel an irresistible desire to feast in order to feel safe and taken care of. However, it is also not worth being zealous. If you notice that a chocolate bar in your purse is your business card, it's time to do something. To reduce addiction to sweets, it is worth analyzing your life more deeply and asking yourself the question: in what life situations do I lack sincere care, calmness, stability? How can this be changed? You need to find rational ways to meet your needs.
Sour taste
This flavor is warming and grounding. Wine is a great example of the sour (yet sweet) tasting product that we most often turn to when we feel this need. According to Ayurveda, the love of wine is explained by the fact that it calms, dilates blood vessels and makes us feel our connection with the earth. If we translate it into modern language, we are talking about the need for security, protection. According to Maslow's theory, this need is primary, basic. In the pyramid of needs, it is one step above the physiological needs: food, rest, warmth. Man is a creature that gravitates toward stability, reliability, confidence. We want fears and failures not to concern us. Abraham Maslow said that the presence of a need, in other words, a lack of something, becomes a driving motive: all human actions are aimed at satisfying an actual need. This traces the connection between his theory and Ayurvedic teachings: when we feel insecure, we strive to get rid of this feeling by everyone. accessible ways. And cravings for certain foods are one of those ways, a tool to restore balance. In addition, the sour taste also helps to focus the mind. When we lack stability and focus in our lives, we crave sour. Excess of this taste makes us "sour". Imagine unripe grapes!
salty taste
The salty taste symbolizes retention. If it seems to you that in life you are scattered, scattered and trying to do everything at once, your energy is dissipated into several things, then you may want salty. We are drawn to it if we feel that we are constantly giving and keeping nothing for ourselves. From an emotional point of view, we crave salty when we lack self-confidence and enthusiasm, this taste well sublimates such sensations. The problem is that even if you eat a lot of salt, this will not support your confidence for a long time. Interestingly, in excess this taste awakens greed. So if you're craving salty, ask yourself: Am I giving away too much? Where to get strength, vivacity and energy? How can I strengthen my sense of self-worth and enthusiasm for life?
Pungent (spicy) taste
Piquancy is a synonym for drive, activity, fireworks of emotions. When we are drawn to spicy food for emotional reasons, it is because we are trying to temporarily sublimate the feelings of pleasure, excitement, and drive that it inspires. It is not for nothing that they say “acuteness in relations”, “piquant situation”. Even if we start from the meaning of the word “sharp” in Russian, you can see that it carries a shade of something bright, exciting, partly dangerous, but sometimes desired. If you constantly crave spicy and spicy food, ask yourself: maybe my life is too monotonous? And I'm afraid of adventure when I'm actually drawn to it? Maybe it's really time to give yourself a break, have fun and "break away" to the fullest? Listen to your desires!
bitter taste
Emotional addiction to bitter foods is the exception rather than the rule. That's great rarity. If you suddenly discover in yourself a love for bitter, then this can symbolize the need for a kind of purification, liberation, clarification of the mind. An unhealthy tendency to bitterness can indicate excessive self-restraint and a desire to curb your rebellious ego. Followers of Ayurveda believe that the bitter taste has a deep cleansing effect and carries a signal for our "I", which is often almost a fan of the sweet, to give up pleasures for a while.
Astringent taste
The need for astringency is another rare craving, but it happens. Emotionally, the astringent taste gives us temporary self-absorption. It dries and cools the body. An unhealthy passion for astringent products may indicate a desire to isolate oneself from the world, to be alone. This is a signal of voluntary social isolation. And while this taste provides a temporary opportunity to collect your thoughts and be alone with yourself, its excess can create an unreasonable fear of leaving the cozy shell. In such cases, in the past, a cheerful and active person suddenly begins to shun others, withdraws into himself, becomes literally a sociopath. Although, of course, if one of your relatives or friends suddenly began to behave in this way, then you should first of all ask not if he likes the astringent taste of food, but try to find out if he has any strange, unusual preferences , thoughts and ideas. A sharp restriction of social activity in combination with other specific symptoms (speech discontinuity, auditory hallucinations, delusions, focus on unimportant details, poverty of emotions) may be a manifestation of schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like disorders. However, this is, of course, an out of the ordinary case.
Letting go of an unhealthy relationship with food
To break the vicious circle, you first need to have the courage to call a spade a spade. Try to write everything down. Recognize that you cannot fully enjoy food for certain reasons. And the next time you feel this inner inhibition, let this be an opportunity to shed light on your subconscious. Ask yourself honestly what you really want. You cannot satisfy basic needs by simply filling your stomach with food.
Try the following test exercise to see if you have any cravings for certain types of food and, accordingly, unsatisfied emotional needs:
- Which of the six flavors are you most drawn to?
- Have you noticed the connection between what gives you this taste and your emotional needs? For example, if you crave sweets, do you feel that your life lacks "sweetness"?
- And if you are drawn to bitter and astringent, does this mean that you are depriving yourself of full-fledged care and nutrition?
When you understand yourself, you can easily give up bad eating habits, which, as a rule, not only negatively affect our inner world, but also bring health problems with them.