Why Do I Crave Peanuts?

WebMD also explains that food cravings are related to emotion. When under stress, an individual may resort to satisfying a craving in order to improve serotonin levels, as high-carbohydrate foods boost this hormone. Fats provide a similar effect. Evolutionarily speaking, cravings may serve a purpose in humankind's survival as a mechanism to combat famine, as excess calories are stored as body fat.