Temptations and how people fight them ... or give in to them

Haneen Shawki Chaaraoui, Lebanese, 24, graphic designer at Mccan Health

It’s more difficult to fight cravings than impulses. If I’m craving a certain type of food, I’m thinking about it up until the moment I have it and I will put [all my] efforts into having it. However, I find it easier to fight food impulses, because if there is a jar of cookies in front of me, for example, and I wasn’t planning on eating them, I could definitely fight the urge to have them.”

Ahmad Esmail Shehata, Egyptian, 20, student at American University of Sharjah

When you’re a gym freak, like I am, you’re going to probably have more food cravings than impulses. When you’re spending hours at the gym trying to build muscle, you have to maintain a certain diet. I’m generally picky when it comes to food, so I don’t go for just about anything. One time, I was craving for a sweet something so much, I ended up recreating a much healthier version of it. If it were a random impulse, I would have just gone and bought it.”

Mohammad Al Kamil, Sudanese, 24, banker

I usually have cravings, and I try to fight them by getting involved in something that will take my mind off it. For example, I try to find an activity or try to commit to a specific diet in order to fight the urge. My friend and I agreed not to have any fast food for a while, but I’ve been really craving it. I’m trying to resist the urge to go out and get it.”