As much as we would like to believe that hunger is only one thing - body driven food need - the reality is that there are other hungers. One can hunger for comfort, acceptance, social connection and probably any deep desire (emotional or physical).
Listening to a podcast with Evelyn Tribole her mention of primal hunger got me thinking about the different types of hunger. After reflection and thought the following is what I concluded.
Primal hunger is the deepest level of hunger our bodies experience. Its a physical need so strong that its an undeniable drive to EAT, allowing nothing else to matter until its satisfied. Primal hunger is a main factor in binge eating.
Longing type hunger mainly comes from deprivation. Its driven mostly by emotional and/or denied reasons. Elements of (self) worth is usually involved - one feels s/he needs to 'earn' the right to eat. Last supper type eating often is a reaction to this.
Comfort hunger is purely an emotional driven one. The food eaten isn't really important so much as the relief sought by one's body and/or mind.
Satisfaction hunger is driven by a need to be free of need/wants. Peace of mind and/or body is what is sought. Food can quell this hunger, but often the actual need is not a food one.
There is a hierarchy for these beginning with Primal hunger, which dominates over all others. As that is taken care of, the others can be dealt with, usually in the same order or hierarchy as presented though some may present themselves stronger than others to individuals.
Hello,
This is my first time posting here. I am just starting to read Intuitive Eating. I am excited to be part of a community who is exploring eating intuitively. Most of the support groups I have attended are not addressing this very important part of recovery.
I am just trying to learn to listen more to my body. For hunger/fullness, emotions, my heartbeat, listening heartbeat. Do I need to rest, do I need to move my body.
Currently I am still tying to figure out, "Am I doing this right?" I am having to listen to my body and its cues as opposed to what I am "supposed to eat". I am working with a dietician. She is incredible. For most of my life I have always felt full. But what have I been full of? Exploring this is helping me to see it isn't always food. It is so much more. And walking free from the rules and the demands of the eating disorder has been nothing short of miraculous. Amazing. I am living for the first time in such a long time.
I am looking forward to reading others experiences with intuitive eating.
Julie
Good morning,
This is my first time posting here. I've read a lot about intermetent fasting. My main issues are that I live alone and I recently loss th love of my life. So I started eating whenever! I have high blood pressure and over a year ago, had a stent put in. Wow! That blew me away! Losing people you loved in your life is very stressful. But, I am slowing learning to cope by joining senior group activities in my home town.
But even then, there are times that I eat when ever!
I try to walk ever day and meet up with friends now and again. But sometimes the days just get too long!
So here I am! Looking forward to some positive energy......learning to love myself again!
walking free from the rules and the demands of the eating disorder has been nothing short of miraculous. Amazing. I am living for the first time in such a long time.
I totally get this, I feel like a different person. I was in a metaphorical prison for 19 years but really my whole life. I love hearing how much IE has changed other people’s lives too.
MUCHAS GRACIAS POR LO COMPARTIDO!
Hi. I am new to this group. I live in South Africa. As an online freelance medical writer, I do extensive research and have been in therapy for many years. I understand the root cause of my binge eating disorder. I am about to turn 60. I believe I was born hungry with a massive, insatiable appetite. While that may sound funny, it has suddenly hit me on a deep psychological level that I never felt wanted even in the womb. I never felt I belonged. I have always felt like an outsider in my family. My mother has often said I would constantly cry for food. I guess from right back then I was trying to self-sooth. I am obese and have been on every diet imaginable, losing and gaining three times as much. I have an impulse control disorder, as well as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and am on the top end of the spectrum. I am very OCD, so its a matter of all or nothing that impacts upon my eating / bingeing. . I spend my life eating everything in sight like it really is the last supper because I believe that the next day I will START AND BE GOOD. It lasts a few days, and I repeat the cycle. What I have read about intuitive eating makes sense, especially removing deprivation from the equation. What I do need help with is the following: There is a disconnect between my brain and my gut. I never know when I'm full, and I want to feel full. I will look at a plate of food, and before I eat it, I think it won't fill me. This sounds very gluttonous, but I feel safe to express this here. Does anyone else have this problem, and how is it rectified? I won't go for surgery. Please help!
Bev, What you wrote struck a nerve with me. I too felt like I was born hungry and could never satisfy that need. I felt I was never wanted in my family of origin. In fact my siblings constantly told me I was adopted (Even though I looked exactly like my paternal grandmother) and they were going to trade me to the Indians or to anyone else who didn't eat as much. I have ADHD, PTSD, and anxiety. Been to therapy. Working though the childhood trauma and quieting the negative thoughts and memories have helped me immensely. I think Katcha hit the nail on the head with the list of hungers we can experience. I feel that when I am focused on the hungers that aren't assuaged by food my physical hunger takes a back seat and is more manageable. I started with a disconnect between my brain and my gut but as I honored ALL the different hungers that Katcha mentioned by asking, before I reach for the easy answer of food, what do I really NEED, I'm finding that the answer is rarely food. But when the answer is food, I go ahead and eat with no guilt or second guessing myself. I still have a long way to go. I constantly feel deprived of something like time, money, love, acceptance. But I'm making progress. Along with honoring your hunger, honor your progress.
One thing I would like to add to this discussion about HUNGER LEVELS - I found the 'Hunger Scale' in the IE book daunting at first. It required too much information from me when I was least able to get that. So instead I took to thinking of my hunger like a fuel gauge in a car - E empty, F full and levels in between. If your car is just off Full do you want to add gasoline? But if its falling towards E, don't you start looking for a gas station??
Keeping things simple is a better way to start embracing IE. Beware the 'numbers game' that is more Diet Mentality than IE (which I call In Tune Eating).
Thanks for simplifying this. I tend to make things harder than it needs to be. Exposing myself to decision paralysis. I ask myself too many questions and then I give up and eat just to be done with it. I suspect that the hunger that needs my attention most doesn’t have to do with food.
I love this! An easier way for me to gauge during the day. Thank you for sharing.
I relate so much! When I retired, I had no idea how much I would miss my work family. Being alone has been challenging and I have relied on food when I am bored, depressed, etc. I have also begun filling my time with volunteering and being mindful about trying to keep to a structured day. That helps me keep food in its proper place and not use it to fill my loneliness.
KikiJO figuring out what is the actual concern (boredom) as well as HOW to address that without 'filling a void' (aka eating) if a very important step on your IE journey. Congrats!!
carbohydrates. Otherwise,
