Head Hunger vs real hunger

[yecats 109]

Can someone please discribe the difference in head hunger and real hunger, how can you tell?

[Foxbins 625]

I don't have hunger any more. If I have not eaten in a while, I feel empty or light-headed but I don't have that "feed me now!" feeling I used to have. If I am busy I can easily go all day without thinking about food. Head hunger is when I have eaten dinner and think, "I'd really like a cookie now for dessert" or when I am watching TV and get up, go in the kitchen, and stand in front of the open fridge looking for something to eat. In both cases, I am re-enacting bad habits from before my surgery. I get head hunger when I'm bored, anxious, or tired. I don't keep junk food in the house anymore and now when head hunger strikes I try to distract myself first; if that doesn't work, I have either a high-protein snack (like Jerky or an egg) or a low-calorie one (like cucumber rounds or a SF Popsicle).

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

I agree with Foxbins - when I am truly hungry (need food for nourishment) I feel light-headed and empty. That usually happens for me at about 4 hours after eating Protein last. If I go much past four hours without Protein, I get cranky.

Head hunger is anything other than the above. Example #1: The feeling I get when I am eating something I enjoy and I am full (the point I like to stop). Head hunger will say "gosh, this food is tasing great, I want another bite!". Sometimes head hunger is driven by tastse - other times it can be driven by boredom, or in response to a TV commercial or program, or a smell of food, or numerous other triggers. I had a complicated relationship with food prior to my sleeve surgery - eating was my go to response for dam near any situation. I am working every day to change that.

One thing I do to see if it is head hunger or I really need to eat - I look at how long it has been since I have eaten. If it is less than four hours, I drink 16 -24 ounces of Fluid. Of course I can't drink that much Fluid all at once - so I tell myself NO POSSIBLITY OF EATING UNTIL THE DRINK IS ALL GONE. (I have to be stern with myself). Then, after I finish drinking the designated amount, I re-evaluate the situation. I am always full after the liquid is done, so I will re-check in about a half an hour. Then, if my body is telling me it wants food, I will eat something (snack or meal, depending on what time it is and what the plans for the rest of the day are).

Good luck.

[thinoneday 445]

real hunger is when your tummy is growling and feeling very empty and it's been about 4 - 5 hours since you last ate. . . head hunger is when you know you ate a bit ago but man I could sure eat something. . .i get that ALOT. . . you actually have to stop, listen if your tummy is growling or really hungry, if not then it's head hunger. . drink Water or crystal light. . for example, I just now got done eating a orawheat thin sandwich with a slice of hard salami and a slice of cheese, and a baby orange, , , well, its' been 1/2 hour and i'm saying how i would love some chocolate covered raisins right now. . .but my tummy is still squeezing a bit from the sandwich. . . so it's all in my head. . .and as soon as i can, i'll have some water with crystal light. . . right now i can't or i'll slime cause i'm still full. does that make sense? and of course I definately will not have the chocolate raisins.

[yecats 109]

All great examples, thanks so much!