Is it Hunger or a Craving?

Do you ever get to the point where you would eat just about anything as you are "starving" and must have something, sweet or savory, or both... and you must have it now!  Chances are, that is a craving you are experiencing, as it must be something specific to fill that insatiable "hunger".

I used to think that I was just born with an insatiable appetite as it seemed I was never satisfied, and was always thinking about my next meal, especially if I was "cutting back".  Then I had the craving and deprivation working against me.  Sound familiar?

After trying just about everything out there over the years I finally found some solutions, some were temporary, that then led me to something completely different that changed the way I look at food forever.  But I'll save that story for next time and in the meantime go back to the difference between hunger and cravings, and start with the basics to guide you to your next steps.

Hunger:

Physical Need: Hunger is primarily a physiological response triggered by the body's need for nutrients and energy.

Internal Signals: It is typically accompanied by physical symptoms such as stomach growling, feelings of emptiness or weakness, and may be associated with low blood sugar levels.

Biological: Hunger is regulated by hormones like ghrelin and leptin, which signal hunger and satiety to the brain.

Satisfied by Nutritious Food: Eating nutritious food generally alleviates hunger.

Cravings 

Psychological Desire: Cravings are more related to a psychological desire for specific foods, often unrelated to physical hunger.  The cravings can be strong and overpowering.

Triggered by External Cues: Cravings can be triggered by external cues such as seeing or smelling food (just go to the Stampede midway and see what that sets off for you), or by emotional factors like stress or mood.  This is very common for many of us.

Specific Foods: They often involve a strong desire for a particular taste or texture, such as sweets, salty snacks, or comfort foods. In other words you know exactly what you want and you won't be satisfied until you get it.

Not Satisfied by All Foods: Cravings may persist even after eating, especially if the desired food was not consumed. This could be a clue that there are some emotional things looming as you are trying to "fill a void".

In summary, hunger is a biological response to the body's need for nutrients and energy, while cravings are more about the psychological desire for specific foods, often driven by external or emotional factors rather than nutritional need.

Next month I will share more about cravings, what causes them on a physical level, and what keeps us coming back for more.  But in the meantime be mindful of your eating patterns and see if you are reaching for something because you are genuinely hungry or if a craving is getting the best of you.