Difference between hunger and appetite
Difference between hunger and appetite
There is something that all human beings feel every day: hunger and appetite. Both terms are related to the need to eat, but they are not the same.
Hunger
Hunger is the physiological sensation what we experience when our body It needs food to function properly. It is because blood glucose levels decrease and our brain detects this reduction as an alarm signal for us to eat something and restore glucose levels in the body.
Hunger can appear at any time of the day, but it is most common at the usual times of the three main meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is important to satisfy our body's hunger to keep it functioning properly and prevent health problems.
Appetite
Appetite, on the other hand, is a psychological sensation that arises in our brain and leads us to look for food out of pure pleasure or the desire to eat something in particular. Appetite is not related to the physiological needs of the body, but is a response to external stimuli, such as smell and sight. of the food, emotions, culture, among others.
Appetite can appear at any time, even if we have just eaten a large amount of food and do not feel physically hungry at that moment. Appetite can be beneficial or detrimental to our health, depending on our food choices and our ability to control our emotions and desires.
Conclusions
It is important to learn to differentiate between hunger and appetite to make healthy food choices and satisfy our body's real needs. Some useful tips to control our appetite include eating small, frequent meals, choosing nutritious and fiber-rich foods, hydrating ourselves adequately, and avoiding external stimuli that can trigger our desire to eat for pleasure.
- Eat when you are hungry and not just out of appetite
- Choose nutritious and healthy foods instead of foods high in sugar and saturated fats
- Control our emotions and desires to avoid excessive food intake
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