A few things are critical for lasting weight loss success. One of the most important ones is the ability to know the difference between Appetite and Hunger. But, knowing the difference is not enough, you have to practice “feeling” that difference enough times to make it automatic and effortless. Eating when you are hungry and not when you are led by your appetite is the weight loser’s nirvana.
Let’s start with Hunger – the feeling produced by being removed from food for prolonged periods of time and relieved by eating. We have multiple sensors in our bodies which produce feelings of hunger, such as gut nerve endings signaling empty stomach, hormones produced by fat tissues and liver and muscle. The feeling of hunger motivates us to think of and search for food. Hunger is the biological mechanism that makes sure we get enough nutrients to sustain our bodies’ normal functioning.
Appetite, on the other hand, is an entirely different animal. It’s what makes you crave desert after a plentiful holiday dinner, it’s what makes you get up and go the fridge during the commercial break, it’s what makes you reach for the “comfort” foods when you are stressed or under-slept. As you can see, the real need for energy is nowhere to be found here.
Recognizing the difference between real hunger and appetite is very important, since one keeps you alive and the other makes you overeat. Realistically, though, in today’s world very few of us experience true hunger (thankfully), yet get more than our share of appetizing temptations.
Bottom line: Learn to avoid exposing yourself to calorically dense/nutritionally-poor (but very appetizing foods) and you won’t have to rely on that precious willpower to keep you on track.
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