Physical hunger versus emotional hunger.

Are you actually hungry?

Many of us are so disconnected from our bodies that we have no clue what real hunger cues feel like.

Growing portion sizes have conditioned us to eat more than we need.

Diet culture has conditioned us to eat less than we need.

The “eat every 2 hours” club has conditioned us to eat more often than we need.

Is it any wonder we’re confused, conflicted, and downright cranky?

We’re so out of touch with actual physical hunger that we mistake it for emotional eating.

Next time you feel the urge to eat, consider the following.

Physical hunger starts as a sensation in the body, followed by a thought about it in your mind.

Emotional hunger starts with a thought in your mind, which creates an emotion that drives you to want to eat.

Physical hunger is a survival mechanism. 

Emotional hunger is a coping mechanism.

Physical hunger is gradual, comes in waves, and will pass in 15-30 minutes if not answered.

Emotional hunger is urgent, comes at you like a steam train, and will nag at you until you crumble.

Physical hunger feels calm. It sounds like a whisper.

Emotional hunger feels frantic. It sounds like a f*cking T-Rex roaring (probably because her arms are too short to put the oreo in her mouth 🤣).

Physical hunger will be satisfied with chicken breast or broccoli.

Emotional hunger will slap your face with said chicken breast while reaching for the ice cream. It might be temporarily subdued, but it will not be satisfied for long.

Physical hunger is solved by eating.

Emotional hunger is not.