Head Hunger

[Janice S 2]

I've heard some mention "head hunger?' What is it? How long does it last? What helps? I'm being banded Wednesday the 21st and want to be as well informed as possble.

[amiller1010 2]

I've heard some mention "head hunger?' What is it? How long does it last? What helps? I'm being banded Wednesday the 21st and want to be as well informed as possble.

Head hunger is when you THINK you're hungry, but physically you aren't. Like if it's "time" to eat, or if everyone else is, you may want to eat, but you aren't actually hungry.

[Janice S 2]

Thanks. I think I have that under control. Time will tell. Since I live alone I don't have the problem of cooking for a family and being tempted to eat. I've been trying to eat just when I'm hungry that last few weeks. Today, it was 1:30 pm and I realized I hadn't eaten anything for lunch.

Head hunger is when you THINK you're hungry, but physically you aren't. Like if it's "time" to eat, or if everyone else is, you may want to eat, but you aren't actually hungry.

[Julia_N 2]

I think of it as food cravings when you know you aren't physically hungry. I was full the other night but really felt like I wanted to eat.

[amjcal 5]

Head hunger to me is thinking I am hungry, but really my stomach feels full. For example, I am stopping and getting a snack at 7/11 for the kids, I think I am hungry because the kids are hungry and are eating. So should I right? When this happens I pause and say am I really hungry, and sometimes I am and sometimes I am not. This also applies to emotional eating, am I hungry because I just got laid off or am I hungry because I need to give my body nutrition. For me after the surgery there was a big difference when I was hungry and that is how I learned how to realize the difference. I think after surgery I wasn't actually hungry for a couple of weeks. Not to discourage you but here I am 3 months out and I fight with head hunger almost everyday. Because I eat when I am bored , to sleep, to stay awake, stressed, sad, happy anything that is the way I have always felt with my emotion. I have now have a band, a change of life for a healthier me, so I still fight it everyday. I wish the best of luck and i hope this helps you in way or another.

I've heard some mention "head hunger?' What is it? How long does it last? What helps? I'm being banded Wednesday the 21st and want to be as well informed as possble.

[Janice S 2]

Thanks for the responses. I have had issues with emotional eating. I've been working through Geneen Roth's book series on this topic. They have been very enlightening and helpful. I am alo continuing to see the psychologist who did my surgical evaluation to work on these issues. I know more about what [and who] my triggers are. I take a step back and ask myself if I am really hungry or is this one of those stressful times when bingeing is calling to me. Time will tell how well I am doing with this.