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Why do you want to eat when you're not hungry: 6 reasons

Why do you want to eat when you're not hungry: 6 reasons Why do you eat when you are not hungry (photo: freepik.com)

Do you experience an uncontrollable desire, even when you're full? Not always do you eat because you're hungry. Sometimes, it's an unconscious reaction of the brain. And food is one of life's pleasures.

RBC-Ukraine, with reference to Cookist, explains 6 reasons that push you to eat again when you're not hungry.

Why we're drawn to food

Food is not just a necessity for the body; it's also a source of pleasure. To avoid health and weight issues, it's important to adhere to a proper diet and eating schedule.

However, we don't always eat solely when hungry. There is often a desire to eat something in response to an unconscious brain reaction.

The brain deceives us in various situations, and we receive signals of hunger in different circumstances, even when we don't actually need food at that moment.

Reasons we're compelled to eat

  1. Watching culinary shows: Viewing dishes prepared on television, often high in fats and calories, can stimulate a desire to eat, even when not hungry. Regular viewers of culinary shows are more prone to weight gain compared to those who don't watch them, as the visual stimuli can trigger the desire to eat.

  2. Attraction to red and orange-colored foods: People are naturally drawn to brightly colored foods, assuming they contain more vitamins and minerals. However, it's important not to focus on unhealthy, high-calorie options such as chips and nachos, which can be detrimental to health.

  3. Observing food displays: Observing food on display, whether on a table or a bar counter, can create an unwarranted appetite. It may tempt you to indulge in eating, jeopardizing your health and figure. Therefore, it's advisable to store purchased food items on shelves immediately upon returning home.

  4. Watching others eat: Observing friends' ordered dishes, even if you're already full, can trigger sudden hunger. The brain tends to adapt to the rhythm of those around you, making the situation more soothing.

  5. Using large plates: Using large plates unconsciously compels you to eat more to finish all the food on them. The eyes perceive the portions as smaller, influencing the brain to think you need to eat more.

  6. Feelings of happiness: Contrary to popular belief, people don't eat more only when they are sad. Feeling happy can also lead to increased food consumption. When in a joyful state, individuals tend to eat more frequently, focusing less on calorie intake and more on satisfying hunger.

We previously wrote about the foods that are essential to eat in winter.

We also talked about the foods that can be consumed even after the expiration date.

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.