Intuitive Eating

What are you really hungry for?

January 27, 2015

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A Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) with a master's degree in dietetics & nutrition. My passion is helping you find peace with food - and within yourself.

Meet Katy

Ever have a hunger that seems insatiable?  Or hunger that happens when it doesn’t make sense (e.g. right after you’ve eaten a substantial meal/snack)?  Or food cravings that are so strong it feels like the food is literally calling to you?

Chances are you aren’t actually hungry for food, and thus no type or amount of food is going to satisfy you.  These are some of the hallmark signs of emotional hunger.  

Our body has 2 “fuel tanks” that operate like the gas tank in a car in the sense that the fuel gets used up and we have to replenish it regularly.

    Fuel tank 1: Stomach – where food is fuel that our body uses for energy (the calories in food are literally the energy for our body)

    Fuel tank 2: Heart – where self care (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional) is the fuel that our soul uses for fulfillment.  Trying to fill this tank with food is like putting diesel in your car, it won’t work.

It can be hard to distinguish between the true physical hunger and the emotional hunger.  Start by asking “What do I need right now?  What am I truly hungry for?”  It might be that you’re physically hungry and what you need is food.  And at other times you may find that what you’re needing is connection, rest, fun, joy, pleasure, intellectual stimulation, a break, a hug, or something else.  

What are you “hungry” for right now?

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