Hunger vs. Appetite

Never assume that the desire for food signifies real hunger. Hunger is the body's way of telling you it needs nourishment to continue to perform. Appetite is a psychological desire for food and is influenced by many factors.

Psychological factors such as the smell, sight, or taste of food can evoke the desire to eat. Social behaviors and lifestyles can also evoke the same effect. For instance, you might eat to celebrate successes, failures, holidays, etc.

Appetite often tends to override true hunger and then you over-eat. When this happens, you begin a typical upward spiral toward regaining the weight you have just lost. Weight management becomes possible only when you can separate the desire to eat from true hunger.

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