Hunger: Physical v. Emotional - Group Talk - Week Commencing 28th April 2025.
- friendsonajourney2
- May 7
- 2 min read
Do you recognise your body’s hunger signals, i.e., when your body needs nutrients and energy, or do you mix it up with emotional hunger, often triggered by stress, boredom, fatigue… to find comfort?
In the busy world we live in, with crazy schedules and unlimited food choices, it’s simple to lose awareness of our body’s hunger cues, resulting in not eating for nourishment but for comfort. Distinguishing the differences between physical and emotional hunger It’s a key step to eating mindfully.
Physical hunger is a biological response, whereas emotional hunger is spurred by feelings; making conscious eating decisions requires us to distinguish between the two.
Physical hunger
· Gradual onset
· Occurs during a fasted/near fasted state
· Less likely to include a specific craving
· Side effects are physical
· Predictable
· Resolved with eating
Emotional hunger
· Rapid onset
· Can occur at any time regardless of intake
· includes a specific craving
· Side effects are due to an emotional trigger
· Unpredictable
· Eating only temporary helps
Now that we can differentiate between physical and emotional hunger before eating, we can perform quick checks by asking ourselves.
· Am I really hungry?
· What am I feeling?
· Am I eating to avoid certain feelings?
· When did I last eat/drink?
By performing a quick check-in, we can identify if we are physically hungry or emotionally hungry. If our hunger is physical, then we should satisfy that hunger; if it is emotional hunger, we should pause and take a few deep breaths. This allows us to become more aware of our feelings.
Finding alternative ways to cope with emotions, For example distraction techniques: walking, talking with a friend, practicing relaxing techniques… Once you do eat, ensure you do it so mindfully, paying attention to each mouthful, allowing us to listen to our body’s satiety cues.
By learning to distinguish between emotional and physical hunger, we can regain control over our relationship with food and discover new, healthier ways to manage our emotions.
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