Food Cravings Psychology: Does it ever happen to you that your stomach is full but still you feel like eating (Food Cravings). If yes, then believe me this happens to many people but the thing to understand is why this happens. In this article, we will know why there is a craving for food even after the stomach is full.
Food Cravings Psychology
- There can be many reasons behind feeling like eating after the stomach is full.
- Fulfilling food cravings repeatedly can also lead to some health-related problems.
- There are many reasons behind frequent food cravings.
Food Cravings Psychology: Have you ever wondered why we crave to eat something else even after eating food? The stomach is full, but the mind is not satisfied (eating and brain connection). This is a common experience, which we all must have felt at some time or the other. Let us know why this happens and what could be the reason behind it.
Difference between hunger and craving (hunger vs. satisfaction)
First, we need to understand the difference between hunger and craving. Hunger is a physical signal that tells us that our body needs energy. Whereas craving is a psychological desire for a particular type of food.
The stomach gets full but the mind does not get satisfied, why?
There can be many reasons for this, such as-
- Emotional eating- Many times we eat food to calm our emotions. For example, when we are sad, stressed or bored, we try to feel better with the help of food.
- Eating more processed foods- Highly processed foods contain high amounts of sugar, salt and fat, which leads us to eat more.
- Lack of sleep- Lack of proper sleep can increase hunger and make us feel like eating more.
- Due to some medicines- Side effects of some medicines can also increase appetite.
- Digestive problems- Digestive problems can also cause increased appetite.
What are its negative effects?
If you continue to satisfy your cravings, it can lead to many health problems, such as-
- Obesity- Eating high calorie food can cause obesity .
- Diabetes- High blood sugar levels can cause diabetes.
- Heart diseases- High blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase the risk of heart diseases .
How to avoid this?
- What are you eating- Include fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet.
- When are you eating – Eat only when you are hungry and don’t eat in a hurry.
- How much are you eating- Eat the right amount and don’t overfeed yourself.
- Avoid emotional eating: If you eat to calm your emotions, find another activity like reading a book or taking a walk.
- Get enough sleep- Take 7-8 hours of sleep daily.
- Consult a doctor- If you feel that you have a digestive problem, consult a doctor.
(Disclaimer: The information given here is based on general information. Before adopting it, definitely take medical advice. THE MONK does not confirm this.)
