I don't get it...Hunger Vs Thirst?

VaneenHarra
VaneenHarra Posts: 20 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello Everyone:-)

I wasn't sure whether to put this in Chit-Chat or here....but anywho...I never really understood the advice of "maybe you're mistaking hunger for thirst." I mean....I am pretty sure that a person can tell if they are thirsty vs hungry. I know that I do. Is it that, if your stomach is growling, you could drink water and thus, the hunger would be suppressed/coated with the water instead or what? Lol, sorry if I'm missing something with that advice...
I don't think I have ever mistaken hunger for thirst. you're either thirsty or hungry right? :huh:

Replies

  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    I'm with you. I think this is an old wives tale propagated by the often scientifically incorrect diet industry.
  • VaneenHarra
    VaneenHarra Posts: 20 Member
    Cool. Thank you, because I couldn't for the life of me, understand that reasoning! lol.
  • suecan2
    suecan2 Posts: 45
    the body does ALOT of communicating - constant in fact. With the hunger vs thirst thing --- its typically because when the body gets slightly dehydrated in need of water or fluid of some kind then not supplied with water, then the body will communicate with the hunger signal cuz it knows it will get some kind of fluid out of food. Since we are made up of mostly water and we cant produce it, it is imperative we supply it and the hunger thing is a back up to thirst to make sure it can maintain its normal functions. it is not hard to get dehydrated quickly. and some people have a weak thirst mechanism. just like if someones blood sugar gets real low... all kinds of symptoms occur to get the person to eat... so hunger sign will take over if someone bypasses the thirst sign - just to keep it hydrated.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Fasting has shown me something. I'm never truly hungry... just thirsty. I know hunger when I feel it, I now know when I'm not hungry but I used to think I was, I was just thirsty.
  • VaneenHarra
    VaneenHarra Posts: 20 Member
    the body does ALOT of communicating - constant in fact. With the hunger vs thirst thing --- its typically because when the body gets slightly dehydrated in need of water or fluid of some kind then not supplied with water, then the body will communicate with the hunger signal cuz it knows it will get some kind of fluid out of food. Since we are made up of mostly water and we cant produce it, it is imperative we supply it and the hunger thing is a back up to thirst to make sure it can maintain its normal functions. it is not hard to get dehydrated quickly. and some people have a weak thirst mechanism. just like if someones blood sugar gets real low... all kinds of symptoms occur to get the person to eat... so hunger sign will take over if someone bypasses the thirst sign - just to keep it hydrated.


    hmmm...this gives me something to think about that theory/understanding of that saying. thank you *
  • hararayne
    hararayne Posts: 261 Member
    I've read some things stating that when you get that dry mouth, thirsty feeling, you are already significantly dehydrated. I'm unsure of the validity of this, but I do know that since I started drinking tea on a regular basis the last week, it's been FAR easier to stay within calories and not feel like I'm going crazy with cravings.
  • VaneenHarra
    VaneenHarra Posts: 20 Member
    Fasting has shown me something. I'm never truly hungry... just thirsty. I know hunger when I feel it, I now know when I'm not hungry but I used to think I was, I was just thirsty.

    yes...I thought that maybe if I could get through a fasting..I might understand...thirst vs hunger...but I am so stubborn at times, and kept and keep thinking that I would know if I am hungry vs thirsty.

    speaking of fasting...I only lasted about 1 and a half days on one that was suppose to last 10 days.

    One day I will get it right...and be committed!
  • agerig152
    agerig152 Posts: 13 Member
    It's not that a person cannot tell the difference between feelings of hunger and feelings of thirst (those are very different!) But the body will sometimes produce feelings of hunger when what the body really needs is fluid. That's why some people say you should try drinking a glass of water when you get hungry.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    Doesn't work for me :angry:
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Fasting has shown me something. I'm never truly hungry... just thirsty. I know hunger when I feel it, I now know when I'm not hungry but I used to think I was, I was just thirsty.

    yes...I thought that maybe if I could get through a fasting..I might understand...thirst vs hunger...but I am so stubborn at times, and kept and keep thinking that I would know if I am hungry vs thirsty.

    speaking of fasting...I only lasted about 1 and a half days on one that was suppose to last 10 days.

    One day I will get it right...and be committed!

    10days? Try one day 2 times a week. You can have 500 cals if need be.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Honestly it totally beats me too. I've never got it. Probably why the whole 'drink water when you're hungry, it will help' thing has never worked for me either... when I'm hungry, I'm hungry! And I get dizzy and weak from it too.
  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    We get most of our required water from food. If you are hungry, chances are good you will also be thirsty. Drinking will temporarily sate hunger. Eating many foods (not all, of course), will sate thirst. Ergo, people equate that as confusing hunger with thirst.

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