Hi friends! Sorry for the neglect. Work has been super busy lately! I haven’t had time to write. I have not forgotten about you. Tonight, I wanted to talk about something I have been dealing with-hunger pains. Often we think we are hungry and we are not hungry at all.

Things to ask when you feel the stomach screaming for food:

1. Are you hydrated? Many mistake thirst for hunger. Before popping any food in your mouth, go grab a glass of water. If after drinking 8 ounces of water there is still hunger, eat something healthy.

2. Are you sleeping well? The hormones that regulate hunger and feeling full (grenhlin and leptin) are disrupted if we are not sleeping well. So, our bodies scream, “Feed me,” and “I am not satisfied!” Lack of sleep leads to overeating.

3. Are you stressed? Food makes us feel good. Especially those sugary, salty, fatty foods. Many times we are not hungry, we are stressed out and our bodies are crying out for comfort. Take a walk instead, workout, journal, call a friend and not Ben and Jerry. 😉

4. Are you bored? Boredom can lead to all kinds of trouble. It’s not good to be overworked or busy all the time. It is also not good to sit and eat and eat. Food is fuel, and as we know every gas tank has a limit. Put in too much, and it spills out. Eat too much, gain weight. I like the phrase, “Eat to live, not live to eat.”

5. Are you eating in front of the TV or media? Studies have shown that people who eat in front of the TV or at the movies consume far more than those who eat at the dinner table or other places. I watched this study where they gave people in the movie theater stale popcorn and they ate all of it. When they exited the movie, they gave them samples and the people spit it out. Because they were so engrossed in the movie, they didn’t register how much they ate or what they were eating. If we can, don’t eat in front of the TV, etc…

6. Are there vitamins in your food? I will say it again and again. The quality of food we eat is important. Trans fats, sugary, salty, processed, and most fast food do not contain the vitamins and minerals our bodies need. So, since the body views food for fuel, it says, “Feed me more.” The nutrients are not there so the body keeps craving real food. Also, the foods I mentioned make the body want more sugary, fatty, highly processed food. The body is never satisfied. Taking multivitamins and eating poorly does not solve the problem either. The best way is to eat whole foods.

7. Are you getting enough fiber? Fiber is a great asset. It helps to regulate blood sugar, cleanse the body, and help us feel full. If there is no fiber in our diets, we are probably HUNGRY! Many diet programs work because they encourage the consumption of fiber.

8. Are you hormonal? Emotional? This isn’t just for the ladies. Many times when something is not going well for us, we turn to food. For some it’s sweets, others it’s alcohol, for some it’s pizza and wings…whatever the choice it’s due to wanting comfort. As for the hormones, many women have tremendous cravings based on hormone shifting. You may not be able to stop the cravings, but you can choose better options-fruits, veggies, lean protein, and choose to workout instead of pig out.

So, my friends, those hunger pains may not be due to the bodies need for food. I have had to stop myself in the busy last few weeks and ask, “Am I hungry or stressed? Is there a better option than what I have chosen? Maybe I am dehydrated not hungry.”

I hope you keep on the wellness journey! It’s a lifestyle change; one I am excited to take with you. You can do it! I believe in you! Have an awesome week. I hope you feed your body real food and make time to work it out! Cheers,~Erin.