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Myths About Why We Get Hungry

Hunger is an important signal through which the stomach tells the brain that it needs more food. This is a critical process as food is vital for the functioning of the body, providing energy and nutrients. Yet feelings of hunger do not always correspond with actual hunger. In a variety of circumstances, these feelings are actually caused by other triggers. Being able to identify the myths about what causes hunger is necessary for maintaining healthy eating habits.

  1. Hunger is Always a Signal That it is Time to Eat

    • One common myth about hunger is that it is always a signal that it is time to eat. Mark Bittman, author of the book "Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating," argues for moderation in eating to promote both weight loss and conservation of the Earth's resources. Like other bodily signals, hunger does not always need to be addressed immediately. For example, just as most people do not go to sleep as soon as they experience feelings of tiredness, eating is not always the best immediate response to small hanger pangs. Because there are different stages of hunger, eating during the first stage may be more a matter of habit than a real need to eat.

    Hunger is Always a Signal to Eat More Food

    • After eating a full meal, some people are surprised when they are still hungry. While the immediate response may be to eat more food, this is not always the best option. While someone can be full after eating a large meal, depending on the type of food that was eaten, they may still lack vital nutrients. For example, eating a protein-heavy meal may trigger a desire for carbohydrates. Rather than eating beyond satiety, it is best to make better food choices from the beginning.

    Cravings Always Signal a Nutrition Deficiency

    • A lack of vital nutrients is not always the cause for continued hunger pains after a meal, however. Because it may take a while for the brain to recognize satiety, it is important to stop eating before actually feeling full to avoid overeating. There are also psychological causes of continued hunger. Emotional eaters use food to reward themselves or to compensate for other things they may be missing. Thus, in situations of emotional eating, hunger is not a signal of biological hunger, but rather psychological hunger that promotes overeating. To determine what may be causing hunger, consider what was eaten, how much was eaten and how quickly it was eaten.

    Hunger Always Signals an Empty Stomach

    • Though hunger is a trigger to supply the stomach with more food, it is developed in the brain. There are two systems that cause appetite. While the short-term system is based on timing between meals, the long-term system measures fat levels. Hunger is caused when there are large gaps of time between meals or as fat levels drop. Thus, when the second appetite system is at work, hunger is not a response to an empty stomach. Because of this, responding to feelings of hunger can slow fat loss efforts in certain circumstances. This is particularly the case for those who have lowered their calorie intake or who participate in heavy exercise. It is crucial that calorie consumption remain above 1,200 calories per day and that exercise is done in moderation to prevent extreme hunger from having a negative effect on weight-loss efforts.

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