Unlocking Word
Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in
today’s article.
1. craving
(n.) [krey-ving] – a great or intense desire for something
Example: The neglected child was craving for people’s attention.
2. instinct
(n.) [in-stingkt] – a natural or innate ability or possible pattern of action
Example: It is a female animal’s instinct to protect her young.
3. bland
(adj.) [bland] – having little or no special flavor
Example: The dish she cooked was bland because she forgot to add some
salt to it.
4. induce
(v.) [in-doos] – to bring about, produce, or cause
Example: Lack of rest induces low productivity.
5. reversible
(adj.) [ri-vur-suh-buhl] – can be changed to an opposite position, condition, or direction
Example: Our unhealthy lifestyle can be reversible if we have discipline.
Article
Read the text below.
Humans’ craving
for fatty foods is a survival instinct
which can be influenced by the environment, psychologists and
nutritionists say.
According to food psychologist Marcia Pelchat,
humans instinctively crave for calorie-rich foods like chocolates and cakes. For
most of early human history, humans did not have enough to eat, and to avoid
dying from hunger, people’s brains became “wired” to spot calorie-rich foods
nearby.
However, Pelchat adds that humans also tend to
crave whatever they eat in large quantities, even if the food does not taste
that good. In an experiment, participants started to crave a bland vanilla milk shake after
continuously drinking it for two weeks.
Environment also plays a part in inducing food cravings. Researchers
from Tohoku University in Japan associate Japanese women’s craving for sushi
to traditional food products and culture.
Although craving for fatty food is natural, it is
reversible. Pelchat claims that
switching unhealthy food cravings to healthy ones is possible.
The case of Wendy Fox, a former chocolate addict,
used these instincts to get rid of her addiction. She followed her
nutritionist's advice to do the "sandwich technique". The technique
involves not eating the craved food at the beginning of the meal so as not to
associate it with satisfaction.
To avoid temptation, Fox got rid of all
chocolates from her home. She also carried around healthy foods so she can
eat these instead when craving. It was tough at first, but now, Fox hardly
ever craves chocolate.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion
A
·
How
do you make sure that the food you eat is healthy?
·
In
what other ways can you maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Discussion
B
·
What
foods considered unhealthy do you sometimes eat?
·
Do
you feel guilty when you eat unhealthy foods? Why or why not?
