According to registered nutritionist Kimberley Neve, it usually comes down to nurture over nature. “Wanting to eat something sweet after a savoury meal is often due to family traditions,” she says. “It’s something people often start with babies and it becomes something you’re accustomed to and ingrained in that way.”

A lot of the reasons behind why we eat the foods we do comes down to habit and routine. In fact, a 2022 study found that two-thirds of people eat the same breakfast at least twice in one week. Like with regular breakfasts, the reason you might crave something sweet after eating savoury foods is mostly down to your body’s memory and its expectations. If you’ve made chocolate a nightly habit, you’ll likely want chocolate.

Another reason for cravings is simply that we need more energy. If your main meal wasn’t calorifically satisfying, or even mentally satiating, your body can be left wanting more. That’s especially true when you’re on your period or if you’ve done any form of exercise, as your energy demands will be higher than normal and your usual meals might not quite fill you up enough.

Why do you crave sweet food after savoury meals? A dietitian explains