What is hunger?
Hunger is a physiological need for food, a natural mechanism caused by internal signals such as low blood sugar, or an empty stomach. When this happens, our brain signals a "need for fuel" and our body reacts to that signal with a rumbling stomach or weak limbs due to lack of food .
What is a craving ?
A craving is defined as a strong desire for a particular food or flavor. If you feel like eating an hour after eating, it is usually not hunger, but a craving. Hunger usually occurs a few hours after eating, but cravings can occur at any time.
When people have cravings, they tend to crave very specific foods, often unhealthy ones. The foods that appear during cravings are often high in sugar and salt, which are not good for health.
Food cravings can also be caused by psychological factors such as emotions, memories, or associations. To avoid fueling your body with unhealthy sources of energy, distinguish between hunger and cravings.
Common problems with appetite
Cravings often trigger the body to seek out unhealthy foods, which can have a significant impact on overall health.
- Sugary desserts and salty snacks are highly addictive foods, and once people try and enjoy them, they tend to crave them often.
- People who are stressed, anxious, and depressed may feel the urge to binge on certain foods.
- Certain physiological health issues like blood sugar disorders or prediabetes or hormonal issues like PCOD can cause food cravings.
- Prolonged cravings can lead to eating disorders, bulimia which is dangerous to health.
- Eating when hungry will only allow the body to take in just enough food to meet nutritional needs, without causing weight gain or the risk of eating-related diseases. However, eating with cravings can easily lead to weight gain, obesity, and the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.
