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The Difference Between Appetite and Hunger

Posted by Marla Richards, MS, RD, LD on July 2, 2015
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The Difference Between Appetite and Hunger | Marla Richards, MS, RD, LD | Improving Health blog by CareATC, Inc.When you experience growling deep within your stomach and you start to feel empty inside, you’re experiencing the feeling of hunger. This is a sure sign that your body is in need of nutrition to proceed with your day or evening.

In the event that you begin to have a craving where you desire a specific food or special cuisine, this is your appetite. It’s important to have a healthy appetite, meaning you may have a taste for certain food one night yet you keep your calorie intake in control.

Yearning for food throughout your day is a dangerous route to take because it has potential to leave you eating a small amount of calories during the day so that you can devour your food at night. It’s important to remember that your body needs a healthy amount of energy intake from sun up to sun down.

Reducing caloric intake at the beginning of your day will only lead to a lower energy level, and will increase your appetite in the evening. If your appetite is increased, this may lead to overeating.

When hunger reaches an extreme level, there’s a chance you may feel weak, fatigue, cranky, and possibly have a headache. The symptoms you may get from intense hunger are undesirable and usually lead to one eating more calories than their body actually needs, which, in turn, can increase your appetite.

Nausea and headaches is a big contributor to a reduced appetite. Find your balance by feeding your hunger to better control your appetite!

When feeling hunger, food should sound good, but it should still be controlled. No matter the appeal of the food being eaten, intake should be limited to only what the body needs.

When hunger approaches, it’s important to have a snack on hand, especially if meal time is a ways off. Don’t let your appetite take control over you, use food to balance your hunger cues.

Satisfying your hunger level will improve your focus by the time you reach your next meal leaving you in more control and preventing the risk of overeating. 

Monitor your hunger and always have food on hand to keep it under control. An appetite is healthy to have, but a big appetite may lead to problems!

Marla Richards, MS, RD, LD

About The Author

Marla Richards, MS, RD, LD

Marla has a longstanding passion in wellness and healthy living. After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas and completing the dietetic internship in 2011, she embarked on her professional career in wellness, working for an integrated health and wellness facility in Northwest Arkansas.

Post Topics Healthy Eating