ARE YOU REALLY HUNGRY?

Do you know the difference between true physiological hunger, the one that nourishes your body and psychological hunger, the one that calls us to the fridge in the evening when we are watching TV? When my kids were young they called physiological hunger “belly” hunger and psychological hunger “mouth” hunger. The reason they chose these names, besides the fact they were easier to say, is because I taught them what each one feels like. “Belly” hunger is your body’s signal that you need to refuel. It’s that uncomfortable, empty feeling IN your stomach, sometimes growling, but not always. It is a physical sensation localized in your stomach, hence, “belly” hunger. “Mouth” hunger on the other hand, is the DESIRE to eat something, or as my kids expressed, “we just want to put some kind of food in our mouth.” It can be triggered by lack of sleep, boredom, frustration, anger, anxiety, etc. The real power comes in identifying the difference between the two. The next time you go to put food in your mouth, stop and ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” If you truly need to refuel your body, savor each bite. Hopefully, you have made a healthy choice.  But if you decide that your belly really isn’t hungry, take a break. Maybe you’re tired and need a power nap, or bored and need to call a friend and go out. As you start to get in touch with the sensation of hunger and only eat at those times, you will enjoy your food even more. Practice this when you are truly hungry: sit down, focus on the food, and savor each bite, no distractions of TV. Eat only when you’re hungry…and enjoy.