How to Tell the Difference Between Hunger and Cravings?

Understanding the difference between true hunger and cravings is essential for making healthier food choices. Hunger is a physical sensation that signals the body needs nourishment, often accompanied by stomach growling or low energy. Cravings, on the other hand, are psychological urges, typically for specific foods, and can be triggered by emotions, stress, or habits. Dr. Anjana Chhabra at The Institute for Weight Management & Wellness helps clients develop mindful eating practices to distinguish between hunger and cravings, empowering them to make healthier decisions. Contact us today or book an appointment online for personalized care that works for you. Conveniently located at 150 Overlook Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601, we proudly serve clients from Ridgewood, Tenafly, Glen Rock, Paramus, Oradell, River Edge, Upper Saddle River, Wyckoff, and surrounding areas.

It can be difficult to understand the difference between hunger and cravings, and many people sabotage their weight loss efforts by giving in to cravings because they think they are hungry. Once you can discern between feelings of hunger and cravings, it becomes easier to lose weight because you will be able to avoid eating when you really aren’t hungry.

Caloric Needs vs. Feeding the Addiction

If your body is lacking in the calories that are needed to function, then you will start to experience hunger pangs. Hunger is the need to provide nourishment for your body, and it can be satisfied by eating healthy food. On the other hand, addiction is a feeling that needs to be fed, and it is focused on high-calorie foods such as sugar, chocolate, potato chips, or any other type of junk food.

Pay attention to the type of foods that you would like to eat, and it will help you to determine whether you are experiencing hunger or cravings.

Mind or Body?

Another way to discern the difference between hunger and cravings is the source of the desire to eat. The body regulates your hunger, requesting more calories and nutrients when energy is needed. The mind controls your cravings, signaling the desire to eat even if your body isn’t lacking in calories.

Often, you can determine that you are experiencing a craving because of the emotions that are tied with your desire to eat. With a craving, there is only one type of food that will alleviate the desire to eat, and the emotion gets stronger as you focus on it.

Overcoming Cravings

Even though cravings might seem to be insatiable, the truth is that they will pass if you stay strong and wait for them to go away. One effective way to overcome cravings is by following a structured weight loss program such as Optifast, because you will be providing your body with the calories and nutrients that are needed. When you are using a structured program, you can recognize that the desire to stray from the plan is the result of food cravings.

Follow the structured plan with exactness, and eventually, the cravings will pass. An advantage to a Weight Loss Program such as Optifast is the fact that you can talk with a weight loss medications specialist to get additional support when it is needed. Contact us today to learn more about how you can benefit from the Optifast program!