Surprisingly, there is an explanation for those cravings for french fries and ice cream, or cottage cheese and potato chips – and the explanation isn’t because you’re pregnant. As humans, we have five different taste sensations: salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami. Weird food combinations are the product of pairing two different senses together to balance and enhance the flavors, according to an article published in 2000 in the Journal of Nutrition. Fatty foods are often paired with acidic foods, as well as salty starches and sweet foods for a more palatable experience.