user-1: I noticed that I almost unconsciously revert to trying to fight cravings via willpower, i.e. resisting them. Let's take the example of food cravings. I usually make an internal commitment to avoid junk food, but the cravings nevertheless arise, and when my mood is low I fail to resist. 
Are there alternatives to willpower in fighting cravings? I had been wondering whether other solutions  -- like mindfulness or even seeking healthier sources of pleasure -- might be more effective.
More so, I believe I crave more because recently I experience less pleasure from activities or emotional sources. Does Buddhism have any technique specifically linked to pleasure?

user295: Craving food is tied to a bodily sensation. When a thorn pricks you get pain to avoid it, similarly sensations when your body signals you need fast food or a particular type.
When looking at bodily sensations try to isolate the particular sensation and develop equanimity and difference towards it. Sensations tied to different types of food also slightly varied. When you body the low in sugar the sensation is different from when craving to something savory.
Also when hungry you get another sensation. Do the same for the sensations tied to how your body signals that you are hungry or need to eat.
Our mind and body is programed to react to these sensations or signals your body generate. To take back control you have to have mastery over the bodily signals. So instead of developing willpower not to eat, use the will power to master the bodies signalling mechanism, to achieve the same through sensations / bodily signals as proxy.
This is easy said than done. Go get the real hang of it you will have to do a meditation course which train you to observe bodily sensation. You can try one of:

http://www.dhamma.org/en/index
http://www.internationalmeditationcentre.org/global/index.html

Also you can try "The perception of loathsomeness in food" meditation. You should not over do this of you might get anorexia.

user471: Firstly, don't buy and store any junk food. If they are within easy reach, you would be tempted to consume them.
Secondly, think about why you should not eat junk food. Do you have diabetes or are at risk of diabetes? See this talk about diabetes. If you understand why too much carbohydrates are bad, you will avoid them, just as how you avoid snakes. Same applies to other types of health risks e.g. high blood pressure, bad cholesterol etc.
Thirdly, replace junk food with healthier snacks that are within easy reach. For e.g. mixed nuts, fruits, seaweed snacks, kale chips, unsweetened natural yogurt etc.
Natural Buddhist way to induce pleasure? Yes, there's mindfulness of breathing according to SN 54.9.

user-1: Some stuff for you to try:

Pace yourself, by letting cravings go in manageable steps (If everyone else deserves compassion, so do you in your practice of letting go)
Don't quit cold turkey, instead replace your habits with alternative
activitites (essentially anything related to the eightfold path, not
least meditation) 
Do Asubha bhavana (foulness meditation)
Study dhamma (disperses ignorance on this topic, and is also conducive to comprehension/panna and hope/saddha, as alternatives to viriya/willpower)
Ask your sangha (You already did)


user8157: 
I usually make an internal commitment to avoid junk food

Buddhism teaches to use wisdom. Constantly think about the dangers of junk food. 

-1: <p>I noticed that I almost unconsciously revert to trying to fight cravings via willpower, i.e. resisting them. Let's take the example of food cravings. I usually make an internal commitment to avoid junk food, but the cravings nevertheless arise, and when my mood is low I fail to resist. </p>

<p><strong>Are there alternatives to willpower in fighting cravings?</strong> I had been wondering whether other solutions  -- like mindfulness or even seeking healthier sources of pleasure -- might be more effective.</p>

<p>More so, I believe I crave more because recently I experience less pleasure from activities or emotional sources. <strong>Does Buddhism have any technique specifically linked to pleasure?</strong></p>
 295: <p>Craving food is tied to a bodily sensation. When a thorn pricks you get pain to avoid it, similarly sensations when your body signals you need fast food or a particular type.</p>

<p>When looking at bodily sensations try to isolate the particular sensation and develop equanimity and difference towards it. Sensations tied to different types of food also slightly varied. When you body the low in sugar the sensation is different from when craving to something savory.</p>

<p>Also when hungry you get another sensation. Do the same for the sensations tied to how your body signals that you are hungry or need to eat.</p>

<p>Our mind and body is programed to react to these sensations or signals your body generate. To take back control you have to have mastery over the bodily signals. So instead of developing willpower not to eat, use the will power to master the bodies signalling mechanism, to achieve the same through sensations / bodily signals as proxy.</p>

<p>This is easy said than done. Go get the real hang of it you will have to do a meditation course which train you to observe bodily sensation. You can try one of:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.dhamma.org/en/index" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.dhamma.org/en/index</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.internationalmeditationcentre.org/global/index.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.internationalmeditationcentre.org/global/index.html</a></li>
</ul>

<p>Also you can try "The perception of loathsomeness in food" meditation. You should not over do this of you might get anorexia.</p>
 471: <p>Firstly, don't buy and store any junk food. If they are within easy reach, you would be tempted to consume them.</p>

<p>Secondly, think about why you should not eat junk food. Do you have diabetes or are at risk of diabetes? See <a href="https://youtu.be/da1vvigy5tQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this talk</a> about diabetes. If you understand why too much carbohydrates are bad, you will avoid them, just as how you avoid snakes. Same applies to other types of health risks e.g. high blood pressure, bad cholesterol etc.</p>

<p>Thirdly, replace junk food with healthier snacks that are within easy reach. For e.g. mixed nuts, fruits, seaweed snacks, kale chips, unsweetened natural yogurt etc.</p>

<p>Natural Buddhist way to induce pleasure? Yes, there's mindfulness of breathing according to <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn54/sn54.009.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN 54.9</a>.</p>
 -1: <p>Some stuff for you to try:</p>

<ul>
<li>Pace yourself, by letting cravings go in manageable steps (If everyone else deserves compassion, so do you in your practice of letting go)</li>
<li>Don't quit cold turkey, instead replace your habits with alternative
activitites (essentially anything related to the eightfold path, not
least meditation) </li>
<li>Do Asubha bhavana (foulness meditation)</li>
<li>Study dhamma (disperses ignorance on this topic, and is also conducive to comprehension/panna and hope/saddha, as alternatives to viriya/willpower)</li>
<li>Ask your sangha (You already did)</li>
</ul>
 8157: <blockquote>
  <p><strong>I usually make an internal commitment to avoid junk food</strong></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Buddhism teaches to use wisdom. Constantly think about the dangers of junk food. </p>
