What true hunger feels like: Coach identifies three main signs
Photo: How to understand if you are truly hungry (freepik.com)
High-calorie food brings more joy to a person than, for example, cucumbers and broccoli. Therefore, understanding when you really need to eat and not just boost your mood with food is an important skill.
Ukrainian trainer and nutritionist Viktor Mandziak names three main signs of hunger.
Three signs of false hunger
False hunger arises suddenly
After eating, the stomach gradually empties, and the hunger hormone ghrelin begins to be produced gradually, so true hunger comes on and intensifies gradually. If you suddenly crave something high-calorie, it is false hunger.
"This is not hunger, it's a reflex, do not obey it," advises Viktor.
False hunger cannot be postponed
Since true hunger builds up gradually, eating can be delayed. False hunger is an impulse, a strong desire that seeks immediate fulfillment. For example, you may suddenly want a pastry with milk right now.
You crave something specific
A truly hungry person finds everything tasty. If you crave something specific, it might be a sign that your brain remembers how good it felt when you consumed something high-calorie.
How to distinguish hunger
Being able to distinguish between true hunger and false hunger is a valuable skill. The trainer advises eating regularly at the same times each day.
"For example, I eat three times a day: between 8 and 10 a.m., between 1 and 3 p.m., and between 7 and 9 p.m. I try to stick to these time frames without being overly perfectionistic. When you know you have lunch at 1 p.m., you don't constantly need to ask yourself, 'Am I hungry yet, or not?'" Mandziak advised.
Earlier, we wrote about the number one product you should avoid as much as possible.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
