Giving in to Cravings?

Why Giving In to Cravings Might Actually Help You Stay Healthy

There’s this common idea that the only way to stay healthy is to fight cravings—to treat them like a weakness, to resist sweets, to never eat chips again. And as the founder of råbowls, I’ve heard it all: "I love your food, but sometimes I just need chocolate." The guilt that often follows that sentence is real. But here’s the kicker: resisting cravings might not be the healthiest choice after all.

I recently came across a fascinating study from the University of Illinois that’s still buzzing in my mind. Researchers followed a group of people with obesity and chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. These participants were trying to lose weight and, crucially, keep it off. Instead of banning so-called "bad foods," the program encouraged them to include small portions of craved foods—think cookies, cakes, or even fried snacks—within balanced meals. Not after. Not hidden. Not as a reward. Just there, as part of a mindful eating strategy.

And it worked.

Over a year, the participants who regularly included craved foods in their meals lost more weight and maintained it better than those who didn’t. Even more interesting: their cravings actually diminished over time, especially if they kept the weight off. It wasn’t about willpower; it was about structure. And inclusion, not exclusion.

As someone who built råbowls to offer nourishment without compromise, this resonates deeply. Our bowls are designed to be satisfying and nutritionally balanced. But I’ve always wrestled with how to handle that other side of food—the emotional side, the indulgent side. The cookie side.

This study makes me feel even more confident about a direction I’ve already started exploring: incorporating things like high-protein cookies into the råbowls menu. We’ve always focused on plants, fiber, protein, good fats. But what if that doesn’t mean pushing sweets away—just choosing better versions, and integrating them thoughtfully?

This research also flips the whole “cheat meal” narrative on its head. Why should we “cheat” on our health goals to enjoy something we crave? What if the secret is actually not cheating at all—but inviting those cravings to the table with structure and awareness?

It’s a beautiful shift in mindset—from restriction to rhythm. From fighting cravings to working with them. From black-and-white thinking to food as a spectrum, where enjoyment and health can co-exist.

At råbowls, we’ll keep serving bowls packed with nourishment. But don’t be surprised if you start seeing more moments of joy baked in—literally. Cravings aren’t the enemy. They’re a signal. And like all signals, they deserve to be understood, not feared.

Here’s to eating well, fully, and without guilt.
– Till

You know that moment—standing in front of the fridge late at night, not really hungry, just… wanting something.