We had our first meeting of Body Baggage for Misfits last week, and one of the women came out with a little gem of wisdom that struck right at the heart of the question at hand. We were discussing cravings and emotional eating, and she said a friend asked her once, "Are you hungry for apples or carrots? If not, you're probably not actually hungry."
It's so simple and yet completely brilliant. Obviously, we could amend it to say, "Are you hungry for apples, carrots, grilled salmon, brown rice, or tofu? If not, you're probably not actually hungry." If you want pizza, french fries, ice cream, chocolate, cupcakes, or beer, your brain is faking you out. You are craving sugar, salt, fat, and diversion, not real food that will nourish you.
Sad to say, asking this question alone will not solve the problem. You'll probably still want a giant bowl of pasta or an entire bucket of Trader Joe's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip mini-cookies, but asking the question is a start. In fact, recognizing true hunger for what it is - is an enormous step toward healthy eating and a body you can love. It is one of the most difficult and most important things you can do. So start by asking the question every once in a while and see if it leads you anywhere. I'd be curious to hear the results.
