There are many ways your body lets you know when it's hungry. Your stomach may rumble or grumble, or it may feel like it's twisting around inside. These signals may also indicate something else too, including thirst or an upset stomach. Other clues, such as a bad day at work or boredom, may make you feel like you suddenly want to eat a chocolate cake. Pay close attention to your bodily clues as well as how you feel right before you're about to eat.
Step 1
Drink an 8 ounce glass of water and wait 15 minutes. Sometimes that empty feeling in your stomach may mean you're thirsty instead of hungry. If your stomach is really hungry, water would not satisfy that empty feeling.
Step 2
Gauge how you feel. If you feel hungry as well as dizzy, lightheaded, weak or even moody, then you are physically hungry.
Step 3
Reflect on your day. If you had a bad day or feel stressed, sad or alone, then chances are that hungry feeling may be a sign that you want to eat to soothe your emotions. Go for a walk or meditate then gauge how you feel afterward.
Step 4
Chew gum. If the hunger feeling passes, then your body was not physically hungry. If the hunger feeling returns, then you know you are truly hungry.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat nutritious, filling foods to keep hunger pains at bay. Fiber and whole grains make you feel full longer.
- Emotional eaters eat food in order to feel better about themselves or to compensate for their bad day. Oftentimes, emotional eaters turn to bad-for-you foods, such as chocolate and pizza. Emotional eating may lead you to overeat, making you feel worse than before. Find a healthier way to release your anger, frustration or fear through exercise, meditation or counseling. If you are hungry, eat something healthy. Not eating may contribute to an eating disorder.
Things You'll Need
- Chewing gum
- Water
Member Comments