You may be surprised to hear that there is more than just one type of hunger. In fact, in Intuitive Eating, there are four!
Physical hunger: This is the need for energy from food. There are many signs of hunger which present in our stomach, head, energy levels and mood. The only way to take care of physical hunger is to eat!
Taste hunger: This is when you eat simply because it is something you fancy or because there is an occasion that calls for it. For example in many cultures food signifies a rite of passage and celebrations.
Practical hunger: This is essentially when you plan ahead. Eating based on your biological hunger is important, however, it’s also important to be practical and not rigid with your approach. Sometimes it may be more convenient for you to eat slightly earlier to ensure you don’t end up ravenous later in the day.
Emotional hunger: You may eat in response to uncomfortable feelings such as loneliness, boredom or anger. Emotional hunger can numb feelings, provide a distraction or comfort you. Emotional eating can be a complex, challenging phenomenon.
