The Six Types of Hunger

Hunger is not the same as appetite. Hunger is a physical feeling – a growling stomach or a lack of energy. Appetite is social, environmental, emotional, and mental — think of memories, stress, hormones, and lack of sleep.

Both hunger and appetite can be impacted by your serotonin levels – a hormone that can curb cravings and reduce appetite. Serotonin is mostly produced in the gut and can influence gut immunity. When serotonin is low, it is common for people to “self medicate” with sweets and carb-rich foods. When the microbiome is disrupted by sugar and stress, it lowers serotonin levels and makes cravings stronger. If you categorize foods as “good” or “bad,” you attach stress and anxiety to them, which leads to even more food cravings.

Hunger is more than an ache in your stomach. There are many types of hunger, including eye, nose, mouth, mind, heart, and the most common — stomach. You can feel hunger in all parts of your body, and it’s important to feed each form of hunger uniquely. However, it’s important to not over-indulge in feeding your stomach hunger. Try only eating until you’re 2/3 full. If you’re worried about additional cravings, drink water to stay hydrated and fill the remaining third.

Give yourself a break because cravings are usually a sign of imbalance, not weakness. Next time you experience a craving, check-in with yourself to determine whether it’s a hunger craving, or something that can resolved through feeding your mind.

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