Is Hunger Healthy?
“Make sure you eat before”.
“Gotta bring snacks!”
“I’ll eat now just incase".
“Don’t let yourself get HANGRY!”
^We’ve become a society SCARED to be hungry. As if hunger is some horrible state that we absolutely must - at all costs - avoid with whatever it takes…to not dare experience such woes.
But is this really true? Is hunger SO horrible and something we must do everything in our power to strategically beat, and then rush to fix should it ever occur?
The simple answer…is no.
Hunger is indeed healthy. It’s normal. It’s a calm state and should be a slow gradual build. When we arrive at hunger (& not before!), we can honour it by eating something that tastes & feels good for us.
Hunger is a visceral sensation in the stomach which signals to our brain that it’s time to eat - there is no food left to feed on in our belly. It’s communication from the body that it is chemically prepared to eat.
That is why we don’t need to THINK about WHEN to eat in our heads - we’ll be signalled by FEELING in the body.
So, why do so many of us plan our meals? Seemingly chase away hunger like the plague? Eat in advance of hunger…
Some of the women I work with even admit to being SCARED of hunger - they really do not like the feeling and would rather avoid it at all costs. Here’s the truth: TRUE hunger, in a calm body & state of mind (yes - your thoughts matter) is not uncomfortable, it’s simply HUNGER.
Think about when you’re happy and restful on vacation and then eventually get hungry - you’re likely not in a freaked-out panic ready to murder someone…you’re ready to eat and would like to do so, while also being happy to wait another 30-60 minutes while a chef prepares you something delicious and you spend more time with your loved one(s). THAT is hunger. See how it’s not a huge big tragic deal?
Now another important thing I must note for women reading this with traumatic feelings towards hunger…
Have you had a history of putting yourself in deprivation? Did you used to literally starve yourself? Blatantly ignore hunger so you could follow a set diet or lose weight according to an external meal plan/guidelines? Yeah, then the idea of hunger probably deeply sucks to you. It would understandably be downright triggering.
Reminding yourself that YOU get to CHOOSE when you eat, when you stop, and when you DON’T eat will empower & free you. Getting back in the driver’s seat of your own eating - following hunger and taste, will help you to feel at peace again.
The solution to healing (& losing excess weight, if that’s your case!) is NOT avoiding hunger at all costs. It’s arriving at it each and every day, for each and every eating occasion. Let this free you, not scare you.
Want my support in feeling comfy cozy with hunger again? I invite you to book a discovery call with me. They are complementary & zero obligation (no, I won’t ask you to make a decision about working with me on the call LOL). I can learn more about your unique struggles & goals, and we can see if we vibe. I’d love to help if I can and determine that it’s a juicy fit.