Mental and Physical Hunger

"It is important to note the difference between mental hunger and physical hunger.

Physical hunger happens when one has not eaten in a while or when your body

needs more energy. However, mental hunger can happen anytime and anywhere and

has nothing to do with body’s need for nourishment. Mental hunger can occur by

association (e.g., when one is at movies, one may crave for popcorns) or when one

chances upon advertisement for a particular food. It can also occur when one wants

to cope with an uncomfortable state e.g., stress, disappointment, or it could be due to

deprivation from a particular food type. For example, if we deprive ourselves

completely from a food group, it may cause us to have strong cravings for related

food which may in turn increase our tendency for mental hunger/eating. It is hence

important for us to nourish our bodies with a variety of food types and in a timely

fashion, so that we feel adequately satiated and lower our tendency for mental

hunger." - Ms Jeanice Cheong, Clinical Psychologist