Is it possible to crave something, but not be hungry?

Wetterdew

I feel like I don't get hungry much, but I do crave certain foods. Usually based on taste ("I want something salty and light").

Is this hunger, or is it just a desire to taste something? I don't feel hungry in the sense that my stomach is empty. Sometimes I can be full but still crave something.

magerum

Often times "Cravings" can actually be your body looking for a particular nutrient, micro or macro.

anifani4

There is the whole emotional aspect of eating and hunger. Eating is a pleasurable experience that started when were infants and were cuddled while we were fed.

For me, craving something when I am not actually hungry is always an emotional thing. In the past I've used eating to "stuff" anger, suppress anxiety, celebrate, allay grief....the list goes on.

On the other hand, if I am hungry and sense a craving I believe that is my body telling me what nutrient is needed. Never thought it would be possible to crave broccoli.

Ani

mabelbabel1

There is the whole emotional aspect of eating and hunger. Eating is a pleasurable experience that started when were infants and were cuddled while we were fed.

For me, craving something when I am not actually hungry is always an emotional thing. In the past I've used eating to "stuff" anger, suppress anxiety, celebrate, allay grief....the list goes on.

On the other hand, if I am hungry and sense a craving I believe that is my body telling me what nutrient is needed. Never thought it would be possible to crave broccoli.

Ani

^^^ agree with this completely ^^^

Mokey41

I could be completely stuffed to the gills and someone says chocolate and I'm drooling. Most of the things we want to eat have nothing to do with hunger at all. Ever been actually hungry and standing in front of the frig thinking "There's nothing to eat"?

angiechimpanzee

Of course. That's the reason why a LOT of people even become overweight.

Cravings are psychological. Hunger is physiological. When you crave, you want that SPECIFIC thing (cookies, chips, pasta with lots of creamy sauce). When you're hungry, you could go for ANYTHING (broccoli, chicken, brown rice).

dorianaldyn

Boredom usually leads to cravings for me. A craving doesn't seem to have anything to do with hunger for me!

I could really use a giant slice of warm apple pie with some warm caramel sauce right now. Am I hungry? No.

sarahisme18

I agree though that sometimes it can mean your body needs a specific macro or micro nutrient. I think if it's "salty" that you're craving and not "that humongo brownie over there for no reason", it might be that you need something. You just have to dig down deep and evaluate what is going on at the time—keep a food journal!