Prepared to fend off the next doughnut that enters your field of vision? Find out how much you really know about your cravings with our true-or-false test...

Chewing gum can help reduce cravings
True. A study presented at the 2007 annual scientific meeting of the US Obesity Society found that chewing gum at one-, two- and three-hour intervals after lunch significantly reduced the desire to eat.

Cravings are your body's way of telling you it needs certain nutrients
False. This is probably just wishful thinking. Researchers have found no evidence of it for the vast majority of commonly craved foods.

The most successful dieters never give in to their cravings
False. A 2007 study found that dieters who occasionally give in to cravings have the most weight-loss success.

Eating the same thing every day can increase the cravings you have
True. According to a study published in the journal Obesity, eating the same foods all the time can increase your number of cravings, possibly due to boredom.

Chocolate is the most-craved snack
True. A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that while there's no proof that chocolate is biologically addictive, it is the most sought-after flavour in North America. And, judging by the range and volume of chocolates on the shelves in this country, chances are good the same is true of cocoa-loving South Africans.

The easiest way to kill a craving is to think of something else
False. Smell or look at something else instead. Researchers at Flinders University in Australia found that visual and olfactory distractions could help.

Women crave more
True, at least when it comes to snacks: in a study by the University of Illinois, women were more likely than men to crave foods like biscuits and chocolates.