Hunger Might Just Be A False Alarm

Hunger is a normal mechanism that reminds us that it is time to eat. But hunger sensation is not always a sign that we need to have foods in our stomach. There are other reasons why we feel hungry and sometime it is hard to differentiate real hunger from other needs.

• People often mistake hunger for thirst. If you just ate only a couple of hours ago and are already hungry, it might be a sign that you are just thirsty. Try to drink a glass of water, real fruit or vegetable juice.
• You may feel hunger when you are tire. You may be tire because you didn’t have enough or a good night sleep, feel worn out because of stressful events you are facing in life, you tend to look to foods and sugared drinks as an energy booster. Try to take a 10 – 15 minutes cat nap if possible during coffee breaks instead of reaching for the foods
• Before reaching for the food, ask yourself, how much, what and when did you last eat? If you only had a small portion, or just have some fruit, vegetable a couple of hours ago, then it’s normal to feel hungry again and this is real hunger sign and food is what you need.
• When people feel anxious or depressed, they often tend to use food as a form of comfort and safety net from their problems. Examine your situation and determine if you are fighting an emotional issue. Take a walk or take the stairs to your next meeting. exercise is a great way to lease stress.
• The body is habitual. We should eat ad balanced diet at the same time each day, sleep 7-8 hours at the same time each day, bowel at same time each day, etc. Try to eat regular meals at regular times each day. Do not skip breakfast, which is often overlooked when you are in the hurry to get out the door in the morning. Eat fruit for snacks during mid morning or mid afternoon. Eating at about the same time every day makes us less likely to suffer from real hunger and chemical fluctuations that can cause headaches, irritability and fatigue.

By distinguish real hunger and false hunger helps you control eating food (and pack more calories) when not necessary, therefore can control you ideal weight.