Figure Out What You Are Hungry For - It Might Not Be Food
848
Members Were Sparked
Hunger isn't necessarily for food!
When I am tired, I am hungry for sleep. When I am thirsty, I am hungry for liquids. When I am feeling down, I'm hungry for support. When I am feeling lonely, I'm hungry for people.
Don't eat food when you need friends, or fluids, or sleep!!! Recognize what your hunger actually is for, and satisfy it with what it is craving.
Ice cream rarely gives you extra sleep, quenches your thirst, or gives you a hug!
Please note these are member-submitted secrets and are not reviewed by SparkPeople's health experts for accuracy. If you feel a secret is inappropriate, please click Report Inappropriate Secret and our staff will review it.
SparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
I have also heard a reference to HALT. I am Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. I ask myself these things before I eat.
SUGARBEHONEYPIE1/29/2011 12:04:00 PM
This is exactly what I needed to read today. The next time I want ice cream, I'm going to ask someone for a hug.
ROCKGODDESS3091/28/2011 10:08:00 PM
These are great points. My husband actually read a book about water, and how most times when people "think" they are hungry, it is really because they are thirsty. Instead of eating first, we always try to drink a full glass of water and see how we feel. Sure enough- the book was right.
JOYOUS19171/25/2013 11:39:00 PM
So true, thank you. Very inciteful.
HAPPYSOUL911/29/2011 9:13:00 AM
Excellent words and I really need to remember them
BRIDGETTEANNB24/20/2013 10:18:00 PM
Amen to this!! very motivating
BROWNIRISS4/18/2013 9:45:00 PM
I really like that b/c would get a cup, (being honest) a bowl of rainbow sherbet 3-4 nights a weeks. Sleepy or not, trying to fill what ever inside was void. Never filled it of course. Thanks,
LEE_CHASSE3/6/2013 9:11:00 PM
This is very profound!
SHARIKAYE2/25/2013 11:45:00 AM
This is so absolutely true!! I started a book once called Love Hunger. Those were exactly the points in that book. It has been my goal to go back and start that book again, but this time finish it. I'm sure there is a treasure of information there for me. I tend to be an emotional eater. Thank you so much for posting this! It just motivated me to pick up that book again and ask myself why I'm snacking in the evening.
MABELOSER2/15/2013 7:19:00 PM
I needed to hear this especially tonight, I am an emotional eater, I eat especially when I'm tired or upset.
WUBIKINS2/13/2013 12:18:00 AM
WOW... I totally relate to this.
MARG19611/23/2013 5:03:00 AM
I needed to hear this----I use food as a suppliment for ills it can't cure. Thanks!
LCOOK44712/17/2012 10:53:00 AM
I love this. Never thought about it like this. Making a note of it for reference.
PINKIE7811/10/2012 1:24:00 PM
This is so true!! I also love that wonderful insight about ice cream not providing the things I'm really craving. Thanks!!
PINKIE7811/10/2012 1:24:00 PM
This is so true!! I also love that wonderful insight about ice cream not providing the things I'm really craving. Thanks!!
BODDIEBUNCH11/5/2012 5:18:00 AM
This is so simple but so very true. Never heard the part about emotional eating needing a hug!
CHRISGORGME10/25/2012 10:48:00 AM
This is so true. If I only could remember it every time. I think I need to stick it on the fridge to see it all the time. Thanks for sharing!!
TSHIRT24H10/19/2012 11:12:00 AM
Makes sense! Now to stick to it!
TCREECHAN9/22/2012 3:28:00 PM
I agree with all of the comments. I eat for many other reasons than hunger. Fix that, and the rest is a lot easier. I have put a picture of myself when I was at a healthy weight on my frig. It helps sometimes. Maybe a picture of the heavy me would work better.
NERDY_MAMA9/19/2012 12:32:00 AM
I really needed to read this tonight! The last few days I've been doubting my diet plan because I'm not losing the weight like I'm suppose to. And it's because I'm always snacking. This made me realize I'm snacking more because I need some friendly support. Thank you! Definitely posting this on my fridge next time I want to snack.
CCABRAL-V149/18/2012 8:16:00 PM
I love this poem. Thanks for sharing
GLOFRY19/17/2012 4:08:00 PM
This is so awesome. Things to ask myself before I succumb to eating something or drinking something I really didn't want or need.
And, not only does the ice cream not fill the void, but I feel bad about eating it afterwards. Thanks so much.
AZUREBREEZES9/15/2012 1:17:00 AM
I have also heard a reference to HALT. I am Hungry, Angry, Loney, or Tired. I ask myself these things before I eat.
SHORTYCALDWELL18/17/2012 5:46:00 AM
This is great advice. What makes this difficult at times is our readiness to face the truth. Of course, the truth sets you free from mindless eating. The key is to develop the habit of reviewing the mental checklist to get to the root cause of those cravings before we eat. I suggest that we apply the basic habit forming principles actively each day, one day at a time, for 21 days, and see if that behavior doesn't become second nature. I am sure we can do it, if we put our minds to it. Good luck to us all!
SATCHMO998/16/2012 2:58:00 AM
Wow. That Sparked me so much, I put it on my Facebook page, and credited you :-)
BLEGNER18/12/2012 12:30:00 PM
Very insightful
HECKSYEAH8/10/2012 11:02:00 AM
Wow! This is so true but I never thought of it this way. Thank you for the new perspective!
JACEUG8/9/2012 5:54:00 AM
Excellent advice! Thanks!
WILSON19268/9/2012 5:47:00 AM
very informative....thanks
RICU19528/9/2012 3:32:00 AM
Some really good stuff!! Thanx.
SWEETSFORCHRIST9/14/2011 6:30:00 PM
I really needed to read this! I was in denial. Thanks for sharing!! =]
EDUKESS1/31/2011 12:50:00 AM
These are words to live by, thank you
CANDYGIRL19801/30/2011 12:24:00 PM
Excellent words! I copied it down on a sticky note and stuck it to my fridge! Thanks!
MELTFATBESVELTE1/30/2011 4:34:00 AM
You are so right.
MAEDAE21/29/2011 4:47:00 PM
Thanks.
CAROLYN01071/29/2011 2:33:00 AM
Very well written. I think I will share your secret with my team. Thanks.
Related Secrets
Hunger or mindless eating
Asking myself when I find I am wanting to eat whether it is because I am truly hungry or is it because I am bored, worried, tired, or just because! Then if I drink a big glass of water before I give in, I find most of the time, it wasn't because I was truly hungry just a habit of always looking to food to solve whatever problem I am dealing with. Food is not the answer but it is not always easy to realize that it won't solve whatever is bothering me (it usually makes it worse!).
MORE INFORMATION:
My final step is to take a moment and say a little prayer that I will use the food to nourish my body and let God nourish my soul and take care of my problems. By taking care of my body, it will in turn take care of me.
Eat to Fuel & Fill - less calories and less cheating
I figure out what fills me up and fuels my body to get through my day and workouts. Then I am not tempted to eat junk food as I am not hungry and my body is not craving anything. Some need a high carb breakfast like oatmeal, others need high protein to be filled up & fueled ready for their day.
MORE INFORMATION:
Experiment until you figure out what works for you - may be different for different days if your physical activity changes. You figured it out when you feel good and are not hungry or craving sugar/fats. Less processed foods work best to fuel & fill, e.g. Oatmeal works better than cold cereal.
Reading Women Food & God and it has helped me figure out what triggers me to overeat When I am tired I crave carbs and am not hungry to begin with. Have learned things about myself what triggers me to overeat. 48
Chronic pain can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep but restful sleep helps with pain management. Here's how to break the vicious cycle of pain and sleep.
