Cravings versus Hunger - what is the difference?

“But I’m hungry (imagine grasping stomach, super whiny voice)!”  

Really, are you hungry or just bored?  Well, how can you tell the difference?  Stay with me.  In your weight loss journey, it is very important to identify the difference between being hungry and a craving that wants to be satisfied.  Because when you can identify the difference between the two, you will know how to respond appropriately and avoid the pitfalls of over eating or poor choice eating.

            Hunger is something you feel in your stomach, it is a sharp pain, that does not go away.  A craving is something you feel in your throat and mouth.  If you distract your attention from the craving, it will go away.  Take for instance coffee (and I am not picking on coffee drinkers – I am one myself).  But you are not hungry for coffee when you get up in the morning, that is a craving.  You feel in your mouth and throat that you want that warm, rich flavor while you watch the morning news or get the kids on the bus.  A lot of times a craving is an anchor, a memory or attachment to an event or time of day.

            A craving will go away if you distract your attention for 5 minutes.  Go for a walk, do a chore, run a report, something.  But this will not work if you stare at the chocolate bar for 5 minutes waiting for the craving to disappear.  Drink a glass of water and move on.

            If you aren’t sure or can’t remember what it feels like to be hungry, do something that I never recommend, go 5-7 hours without eating.  The feeling in your stomach after 6 hours of no food is hunger. 

            You can overcome those cravings, but it takes discipline and recognition of the difference between cravings and hunger.  The more practice you have at overcoming the craving, the less you will have the cravings – promise!