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There is a big difference between feeling hungry and having a physical sensation of hunger in your body.
The first time I really got this was an ‘aha’ moment for me.
Here’s the deal:
‘Feeling’ hungry begins with a thought and creates a feeling. “I’m hungry”.
It begins in your brain and travels to your body.
‘Feeling’ hungry is an emotional experience.
Feeling hungry may look something like this:
- It’s time for lunch
- Oh- that looks so good
- I could go for that
- I’m in the mood for it
- I’ll just have a little
The sensation of hunger, on the other hand, is a physical experience.
Just like something that is hot or cold, the sensation begins in the body and travels to the brain.
The sensation of hunger may look something like this:
- Emptiness in belly
- Light headed
- Low energy
- Rumbling in belly
- Mouth gets wet
Can you see the difference?
The first one is your brain telling your body what it wants. The second is your body telling your brain.
If you ever find yourself wanting to eat when you do not have the physical sensation of hunger, then just know that feeling will never be satisfied with food because you can never get enough of what you don’t want.
Have you ever found yourself in this situation? Eating when you’re not hungry or not being ‘satisfied’ by your food? Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “why do I want this” OR “what am I really hungry for”? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one!
Comments
Annie says
Oh yes! I love the way you put this Dani; straight to the point. I battle continuously with the conversation that starts in the brain. I am learning to \walk away\ from it and wait until my stomach gives me some real clues. Even that can fool us if we are just starting on a journey which includes eating less because our stomachs have gotten used to having that more constant full feeling. When it doesn’t get it, it complains. But this will go away as we \train\ it to accept being empty for a few hours between meals. This is the beauty of fasting. I don’t mean fasting in the big going-without-food-for-days sort of way. I mean the simply sticking to a 2 or 3 healthy meals per day plan. It lets the body get back into a healthy rhythm and balance. I’ve read about all the important things that go on during those fasting times; especially with our hormones. Thanks for posting this.
Stacy says
I agree, it is all about getting through those brain “moments” and then you forget about it and move on. I always find something to do and that seems to help. Always love your insights Dani!
Ginny says
Funny yesterday was the first day in a long time that I heard my stomach growl and thought wow I actually waited until I was hungry. So proud. But to answer your question I eat because my brain is telling me when to eat and that is why I never feel full. I also get overwhelmed sometimes with the tasks that I have to do whether at home or work and constantly shove junk down my throat. Thirty years ago I was anorexic and today it is hard for me to stop eating and craving so much bad carbs.
Thank you for your email today…maybe this will be my incentive to listen to my body!
Kellie says
I love the informational posts you have been sharing on your blog. They’re very awakening for me. I am definitely an emotional eater (happy, sad, stressed and everything in between) so I’m excited to curb my reactions to my mind and body. Thanks for sharing! I find these even more helpful than recipes.
Melinda says
Love the info! Thankyou
Brittney says
I am currently in the process of retraining/disciplining myself to eat once my body lets me know that it requires more energy, mainly through my stomach growling. I usually eat about 5-6 times per day, small-medium sized meals due to the activity that I do and my particular workout schedule. However, this has all only started about 2 years ago, and I am currently 22 years old. For a majority of my life, I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and the amount that I wanted. I waited for no cues or anything. If I wanted it, I took it. Period. That was when I weighed my heaviest at 235-240lbs. Now, after 2 years of Divine intervention (thank God), much determination, and prayer, I have reached a weight of 166lbs and am way closer to my goal (145lbs) then I was before.
It is still a challenge with the nagging battle of “am I hungry yet or not?” but I know for sure that when my tummy growls, and I have drank a glass of whatever and the feeling remains, that I am truly hungry.
Chuck says
Makes a lot of sense. It’s almost like you wrote it for me. Very guilty of the sensations. My girth is living proof. At 68, never too late for life changes. Thanks for the reminder(s).
Joshua says
You are spot on with your thoughts on this…Thanks.
Veronica says
Here is the problem. I think that if I wait until “I am really hungry” several problems will result. I feel like I will overeat or it will be too close to bedtime, or something inconvenient will occur like my lunchtime is over and I won’t have the opportunity to eat until I’m off of work in the evening, which will lead me to overeat when I get home because I will hurry up and grab the first thing I see and stuff myself. Crazy isn’t it? But this article has given me “food for thought”. I really need to evaluate these ideas and see where it takes me. Can I wait until I am hungry and still control my appetite and my resulting food choices? Guess I’ll have to follow through on the theory to find out…Thanks!
Dani says
Veronica- I totally get it – but you want to remember is to eat at the first signs of hunger (which can be pretty subtle). Beginning stages of hunger are before we get ravenous, it’s more alike a whisper. This takes practice (it has for me) but just having the willingness to experiment is where the work begins:)