How do you identify each?
Ever had that situation where you’re craving for something very specific? You only want a cheesy pizza or a bowl of pasta and even the thought of rice and curry puts you off? You might have had lunch a while back but you’re really hungry and you seem to need that cheesy pizza! Beware, folks! That’s not real hunger. Well, it is, but it’s only a craving of your brain. Your stomach is not really hungry because your body doesn’t show any physiological symptoms. It’s time we identify which type of hunger we have and work towards controlling what isn’t necessary. That extra cheese on your pizza is not going to help your fitness goals for the month!
How to identify different types of hunger?
Well, for this discussion, pertaining to your fitness goals, there’s two types of hunger – brain hunger and stomach hunger.
Brain Hunger
Why do you feel hungry if you don’t really need food? Your brain might be convinced it is hungry due to stress, cravings or hunger hormones. Ghrelin is the hunger hormone that induces the feeling of hunger in the brain. It causes increased appetite, tells the body to consume more calories and store more fat. This is why it is important not to go on a hunger strike each time you want to lose weight. When on a diet, this hormone is secreted in excess causing us to overeat after a few days on a diet!
Some of the ways to identify brain hunger are:
There are no physiological signs of hunger. For example, your stomach isn’t growling and yet you feel hungry.
You have a very specific craving, like that cheese pizza on Friday after work that you need to have.
You feel hunger so you drink a glass of water and suddenly, you’re no longer hungry anymore!
Your hunger popped up suddenly and vanishes just as suddenly!
Stomach Hunger
This is the hunger that definitely needs to be satisfied! Maintaining a stable weight and keeping your Ghrelin in check is going to help a lot when you’re trying to lose weight. Once these hormones are kept in check, most f your hunger will be real and not just your brain simulating hunger. Having a healthy sleep cycle and making sure you are not going on diets will help maintain Ghrelin levels for the most part.
There are a few signs you can follow to ensure that you’re consuming food only when you’re hungry. Check for these signs!
Your stomach growls and there are hunger pangs. This is a foolproof method and you can consume food immediately!
When you’re feeling hungry, you’re craving for food and nothing in specific. You don’t really need that cheese pizza and some sambar rice sounds just as good!
Always drink some water when you’re feeling hungry. If you’re still feeling hungry after ten minutes, it’s real hunger!
It isn’t a short craving, but hunger has built up over time. It doesn’t seem to go away. It means you’re really hungry and you should give your body it’s deserved calories!
It’s very important to distinguish these kinds of hunger when you’re on a fitness journey. It doesn’t help to consume unnecessary calories at all times of the day. Count your calories and eat only when your stomach is hungry!
Happy a happy and healthy week!
