Most of us have heard about the major health concerns associated with increasing weight gain. But what happens if you don’t know if you are hungry or not?
Being able to determine if you are hungry is a key factor in deciding what and how much you will eat. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what hunger really feels like. In fact, an interesting question to ask your family or friends is, “What does hunger feel like to you?” When I ask the question, I get as many answers as people that I ask.
According to the American Dietetic Association the sensation of hunger is instinctual. They caution that eating every time you feel hungry can result in overeating. If you are unsure if you are hungry or not they suggest asking yourself these three questions:
1. Am I hungry?
2. When was the last time I ate?
3. Could a small snack tide me over until the next meal?
If you realize you can’t determine what hunger feels like, try writing down how you feel physically just before you eat. It may improve your ability to listen to your body’s hunger cues and manage your weight more effectively.
