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How to tell if you're <em>actually</em> hungry

Learn the difference between internal and external hunger.

By Weight Watchers
Published 14 March 2022
How to tell if you're <em>actually</em> hungry

Heading to the kitchen but not sure why? Pause and ask yourself these three questions so you’ll know what to do next.

Try This!

1. How do you feel physically?  a. Eh, not so great. My stomach is growling and my head hurts.  b. All good!   2. What do you want to eat right now?  a. Give me anything. And quick!  b. Oh, I know exactly what I’m grabbing from the fridge.   3. When was the last time you ate? a. I can’t even remember. Maybe 3 to 4 hours ago? b. TBH, I just finished eating. If you answered mostly As, you’re likely feeling internal hunger.  If you answered mostly Bs, you’re likely feeling external hunger.

Let’s dive a little deeper...

Think of internal hunger like utility bills. You have to pay every month to keep the lights on and the water running, just like you have to fuel your body with food every day.

External hunger is all the extras. Sure, getting your nails done after a hard day or stopping for coffee before work isn’t a necessity, but sometimes it’s what you want (or need). The same goes for external hunger. You may not have felt hungry before walking by a bakery, but the scent of fresh croissants, boredom, or another emotion could have flipped a metaphorical switch.

Now, we’re not saying you should only respond to internal hunger cues. It’s totally OK to have a slice of cake just because it’s sitting in the fridge or comfort-eat handfuls of popcorn during a scary movie. Simply recognizing the difference between internal and external hunger can help you make informed decisions about what to eat, how much, and when.

Week one of our monthly theme, Internal & External Hunger.