False Hunger: The Hidden Culprit Behind Overeating

Your physical condition and appearance are closely tied to your mental state. Naturally, we possess mechanisms for maintaining a healthy diet. Often, changes in weight stem from different types of hunger, which we perceive as a need to eat.

Hunger can be categorized as physical or emotional.

Physical hunger can only be satiated with food. It typically increases over time after eating and is accompanied by distinctive bodily sensations such as a rumbling stomach or discomfort in the stomach area. When this occurs, you may find yourself ready to eat anything. Once you've eaten, physical hunger usually subsides, resulting in feelings of comfort and calmness.

Emotional hunger, on the other hand, is triggered by internal factors and isn't connected to an actual need for food. You might have noticed that you sometimes feel the urge to eat when you're upset or need support. Eating due to emotional hunger often leads to feelings of guilt.

Emotional hunger arises when your needs aren't being met and you haven't found a way to express your true emotions. You try to alleviate this emotional tension with food, which provides temporary relief. However, it doesn't truly resolve the situation and can lead to weight gain. For some, this behavior becomes habitual, causing them to lose the ability to recognize their feelings, which can be distressing.

To address emotional overeating, it's important to distinguish between your feelings and emotions, identify them, and find ways to manage without resorting to destructive behavior.

A good first step might be to keep a food diary. This diary should not just record what you eat, but also when you eat and the emotions you're experiencing at the time. By analyzing your entries in a calmer state of mind, you can identify the relationship between your emotions and eating habits.

Learning to notice and understand your emotions is the first step. Once you've achieved this, you can then express these emotions in a safe and friendly way. This means expressing your emotions in a way that does not harm you or those around you. You can discover such methods on your own or by seeking advice from professional literature or by consulting with a specialist.

It's important to note that insulin sensitivity can influence hunger and blood sugar levels. Therefore, paying attention to your health and consulting a physician when necessary is crucial.

Understanding the difference between true and false hunger is crucial for maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. By being aware of the triggers and signs of false hunger, you can make more informed decisions about when and what to eat. This knowledge can help avoid unnecessary snacking and overeating, leading to better overall health and well-being.