06/17/2020
With biological hunger almost any food will do. With a craving or emotional eating we are trying to meet a need that is psychological.
It can be confusing to distinguish emotional hunger from biological hunger in the beginning. I even used to have hunger pangs when I was actually just needing to deal with my emotions.
It helps to remember that true biological hunger is patient. It will wait for you to find a satisfying meal. It is satisfied by all types of foods--whatever is yummy, available, and usually somewhat balanced. And, it comes on gently (unless you've been ignoring it for a really long time.) It whispers at first, then grows louder the longer you ignore it.
Emotional hunger is the complete opposite. It is NOT patient. It's like a runaway train inside that won't be ignored. And, it MUST have the food it's craving (usually not a balanced meal). And, it MUST be NOW!
Remember, as you're learning to distinguish between emotional and biological hunger to slow down when you eat. Pause when you think you need food and drop into the physical sensations you're experiencing in your body. Your body knows what it needs. You just have to get your brain and emotions out of the way.