Key Difference – Hunger vs Craving
Hunger and craving are two feelings that signal our need for food. When you feel hungry, you will eat anything to satisfy this hunger, while cravings are for specific food items and cannot be satisfied by eating just anything. Understanding the difference between hunger and craving is important.
Key Takeaways
- Hunger is a natural reaction, signaling the body’s need for energy and is related to the body’s basic intent for survival.
- Craving is a powerful desire for specific food or drink, which is not the same as hunger since cravings do not indicate the body’s need for energy.
- Cravings can be brought on by hormones, emotions, associations, and memories, while hunger is a physiological requirement.
What is Hunger?
Hunger is a strong desire or need for food, which can also refer to the feeling of weakness or discomfort caused by lack of food and the need to eat. Hunger is a natural reaction – it is the body’s way of informing you that it needs energy. Hunger is related to the body’s basic intent for survival; thus, hunger for food is built into our genes. Since hunger is a physical requirement, any type of food can satisfy it. However, it is always advisable to eat healthy and nourishing food when you are hungry. When you are extremely hungry, you will even eat food that you do not usually like. Once your hunger has been satisfied, you will stop eating. Hunger is a physical sensation and is related to contractions of the stomach muscles. These contractions, known as hunger pangs once they become severe, can also cause some people to experience symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. These symptoms will disappear once they eat.
What is Craving?
Craving is a powerful desire for food, typically for a specific type of food or drink. Craving is not the same as hunger since cravings do not indicate your body’s need for energy. You may feel cravings for a specific food like chocolate just one hour after you have had a full meal. Therefore, cravings do not indicate a need for food and neither do they result in physical weakness or discomfort. Since cravings are not physiological sensations, you can control them by ignoring them. Ignoring them for about 20 minutes can make the cravings disappear. Cravings can be brought on by hormones, emotions, associations, and memories. For example, if you always buy chocolate chip cookies from a certain shop, passing that shop may create cravings for cookies. Pregnant women also experience cravings for certain types of food; these cravings are often attributed to nutrients that are required during pregnancy. Chocolate and confectioneries made of chocolate are typically among the top foods people say they crave. Researchers have found out that cravings for certain types of food are connected to their ingredients. For example, chocolate contains the neurotransmitter phenylethylamine, which has a significant function in regulating the body’s release of endorphins.
What is the Difference Between Hunger and Craving?
Type of Food:
Hunger: You will eat any type of food to satisfy your hunger.
Craving: You generally experience cravings for a specific food or drink.
Physiological Requirement:
Hunger: Satisfying your hunger is a physiological requirement.
Craving: Satisfying your cravings is not a physical requirement.
Cause:
Hunger: Hunger indicates your body’s need for energy.
Craving: Cravings can be brought on by hormones, emotions, associations, and memories.
Need vs Want:
Hunger: Hunger has to be satisfied; it cannot be ignored.
Craving: Cravings can be ignored; it can make the craving go away.
Discomfort:
Hunger: Hunger can create physical discomforts such as stomach cramps, headaches, and dizziness.
Craving: Cravings can create emotional distress, but not physical discomfort.
