Head Hunger

[4Gr8kids]

Is there a way to tell if what you are feeling is true or head hunger? If so, how?

 

[Samsara]

My dietician gave me a leaflet on this. Here is how it defines both:

Emotional hunger (head hunger):

1) is sudden
2) is for a specific food
3) is above the neck (in the mouth and mind)
4) is urgent
5) is paired with an upsetting emotion
6) involves automatic or absent-minded eating
7) does not notice or stop eating in response to fullness
8) feels guilty about eating

Physical hunger (true hunger):

1) is gradual
2) is open to different foods
3) is based in the stomach
4) is patient
5) occurs out of physical need
6) involves deliberate choices and awareness of the eating
7) stops when full
8) realizes eating is necessary

So basically, true hunger comes on over a period of time and you will have growling and feelings in your stomach area. Head hunger is more immediate!

Hope that helps x x

 

[gonnabethinner]

Thanks for that found it very interesting!

 

[lamornamiss]

I heard once that if you could eat an apple that is true hunger.
If you couldn't or don't fancy eating an apple its head hunger

 

[carebear1]

Now I'm post op the difference between my hungers are

My head hunger wants Naughty things and not just one and even though I don't feel REAL stomach hunger yet,I get a sicky feeling when I have gone to long without food and anything even a light mini babybel for lunch can satisfy me.

 

[Bethany]

I don't feel hunger

Hi,
I am now just over a year post op. for my gastric sleeve. I don't feel hunger at all. I have to go by the clock. Yes I do eat say a biscuit or a mars bar but it is all by the clock. I don't eat before 3 hours has gone by and I know when I have had enough, I don't feel full, you just get a 6th sense. Yes sometimes I make mistakes and have over eaten and boy do I suffer but generally it is good and the best thing I ever did. I feel wonderful, have so much energy. I never forget to take my Vitamin and Mineral tablet and try to have a high protein diet.

I used to drink fizzy drinks because I missed them so much, I used to let them go flat etc. but I spoke again to my dietitian and realized it wasn't worth the risk of stretching my pouch. So now it is water, water and more water and sugar free orange cordial.

I just don't think about food anymore like I used to when I was overweight.

Keep it up, you'll get there
Bethany xx

 

[Yvessa]

I get proper hunger so I can tell if its head hunger. But one thing I've found is that a couple of times I've given into head hunger I have a point where I do actually feel satiated and stop. So does this mean I'm misjudging some of my head hunger when its real hunger?

 

[1happyloser2b]

My dietician gave me a leaflet on this. Here is how it defines both:

Emotional hunger (head hunger):

1) is sudden
2) is for a specific food
3) is above the neck (in the mouth and mind)
4) is urgent
5) is paired with an upsetting emotion
6) involves automatic or absent-minded eating
7) does not notice or stop eating in response to fullness
8) feels guilty about eating

Physical hunger (true hunger):

1) is gradual
2) is open to different foods
3) is based in the stomach
4) is patient
5) occurs out of physical need
6) involves deliberate choices and awareness of the eating
7) stops when full
8) realizes eating is necessary

So basically, true hunger comes on over a period of time and you will have growling and feelings in your stomach area. Head hunger is more immediate!

Hope that helps x x

Thanks for explaining!

Sent from my iPad using WLSurgery

 

[lyzzyanne]

For me head hunger is wanting to eat something I really know is not a good choice (I don't want to consider anything banned) and I do battle with myself over having it, usually for me its wanting something sweet which is my down fall, I do daily battle with that and usually win!!!

 

[Fragglerock]

Thank you Samsara for posting the difference.

I hope to have a sleeve in next couple of months once I decide on provider and knowing this has helped.

Frag.

 

[Andy1968]

My dietician gave me a leaflet on this. Here is how it defines both:

Emotional hunger (head hunger):

1) is sudden
2) is for a specific food
3) is above the neck (in the mouth and mind)
4) is urgent
5) is paired with an upsetting emotion
6) involves automatic or absent-minded eating
7) does not notice or stop eating in response to fullness
8) feels guilty about eating

Physical hunger (true hunger):

1) is gradual
2) is open to different foods
3) is based in the stomach
4) is patient
5) occurs out of physical need
6) involves deliberate choices and awareness of the eating
7) stops when full
8) realizes eating is necessary

So basically, true hunger comes on over a period of time and you will have growling and feelings in your stomach area. Head hunger is more immediate!

Hope that helps x x

Great post...Very interesting!