双语：为什么孕妇的口味很奇怪(图)(2)

　　Certain cravings were central to human survival and evolution. Fat and sugar were scarce hundreds of thousands of years ago. Fat was a precious source of calories (supplying more than twice the calories per gram of either protein or starch), and our ancestors had no need to develop an appetite shutoff valve for fat. Instead, when they found fatty food, they ate all they could get and developed an unlimited capacity to store extra calories.

　　某些吃的渴望在人类生存和进化中曾经起到了重要作用。几十万年以前，

　　The quest for fat and sugar is now hardwired into our brains, governed by dozens of chemicals including endorphins. Serotonin, for example, is the "feel good" chemical. When levels are low, we seem to crave sweets and carbs, which raise serotonin and improve mood. This may help explain why many women crave chocolate near their periods.

　　这种对脂肪和糖的渴望现已在我们的大脑中固定下来，大脑受到包括内啡素的十几种化学物质的控制。譬如血清素是产生"好的感觉"的化学物质。当它的含量降低时，我们似乎就会渴望糖和碳水化合物，因为它们能提高血清素含量并改善情绪。这一点也许有助于解释为什么很多女性在经期前后会想吃巧克力。

　　Some experts think cravings are as much a reflection of our social and psychological makeup as they are of our physiological impulses. "Food adds solace to our lives," says Jeff Hampl, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association. "Often, cravings are tied to a childhood experience and good feelings associated with it. There's a subconscious desire to replace those emotions."

　　有些专家认为吃的渴望除了能反映我们生理冲动以外，还能反映我们社会和心理构成。"食物给我们生活带来慰藉，"美国饮食协会发言人Jeff Hampl说。"吃的渴望常常与童年某段经历以及与此相关的美好情感有联系。人的潜意识渴望恢复这种情感。"

　　This would explain my predilection for rapini, since my mother serves it every Thanksgiving. Yet regardless of the reason, Largeman--who craves salmon sometimes--thinks you should satisfy a craving when it strikes. "A craving usually just gets worse," She says,"and it could lead to binging."

　　这也许能解释为何我会对迷迭香情有独衷，这是因为我妈妈在每个感恩节都会做这道菜。不过，不论原因如何，有时会渴望鮭肉的Largeman认为，当这种渴望出现时，你都应该去满足它。"渴望通常只会愈演愈烈，"她说，"它会导致暴饮暴食。"