06/12/2025
For years, I thought I just had a strong appetite, especially because of my active job and sport.
I realise now that I was experiencing different types of hunger in different situations.
Since I’ve understood this, I have felt far more at peace with food and my triggers. I don’t feel ashamed of my “appetite” anymore, because I finally understand what I am actually experiencing — and I can choose how I want to respond.
These hunger types are completely normal.
Some people are simply more sensitive to triggers than others, or have more of them, depending on your experiences, your mindset, your habits, your environment, etc.
There is nothing “wrong” with you for noticing hunger in different ways.
There are 4 types of hunger, and understanding them helps you choose a response that genuinely supports you:
🍽️ Physical: Your body genuinely needs fuel. It builds gradually and is a sign to honour your cues, not ignore them. If you’ve been dieting or restricting for years, hunger/fullness signals can become dysregulated. Re-establishing a regular eating pattern (roughly every 3–5 hours) can help you re-regulate them.
💛 Emotional: Eating in response to how you feel. Completely human, however, if it is the only coping strategy you use, it may become troublesome. Learning to name your emotions and building a supportive toolbox can help: a walk, calling a friend, a hobby, journaling a few lines, or simply changing your environment.
👅 Taste: Craving a specific food/texture/flavour. Often satisfied with a moderate portion, unless you keep resisting it, which can intensify the craving and sometimes lead to a binge episode.
⏰ Practical: Eating proactively because life is busy. Essential for performance, recovery, stabilising energy, and preventing extreme hunger later (especially if irregular eating is something you are working on).
Understanding these can help you reduce guilt, respond to your needs with more clarity, and rebuild trust with yourself.
Which type of hunger do you notice most often?
Comment below, or share this with someone who might find it helpful! ☺️