Psychology says people who love to eat something sweet after every meal may be responding to a learned reward

For some people, finishing lunch or dinner does not quite feel complete without something sweet. It may be a piece of chocolate, a biscuit with tea, ice cream, a dessert or simply a spoonful of something sugary. The interesting part is that the craving can appear even when the person is physically full. Psychology and food-reward research suggest that this behaviour may involve conditioning, reward learning, sensory-specific satiety, food cues and the brain's distinction between “liking” and “wanting.” In other words, the craving may not always mean the body needs more food. Sometimes, the brain has learned that a meal is followed by a rewarding taste.

Psychology Says The Brain Can Learn That A Meal Ends With Something Sweet