One of the biggest questions people ask is:
“Am I actually hungry?”
Learning the difference between emotional hunger and physical hunger can completely change your relationship with food.
Physical Hunger
Physical hunger:
- Comes on gradually
- Can wait a little while
- Sounds like almost any food would satisfy you
- Stops when you’re comfortably full
Emotional Hunger
Emotional hunger:
- Appears suddenly
- Feels urgent
- Craves specific comfort foods
- Doesn’t disappear after eating
- Often leads to guilt
Ask Yourself Three Questions
Before eating, pause and ask:
- What am I feeling right now?
- What happened just before this craving?
- If someone offered me chicken and vegetables instead of cookies, would I still want to eat?
If the answer is no…
It may not be hunger.
Give Yourself Five Minutes
You don’t have to ignore the craving forever.
Simply delay your response for five minutes.
Many urges naturally decrease when they’re not immediately acted upon.
That’s how habit change begins.
