Hedonic hunger

Alright kiddo, so have you ever eaten a piece of candy or your favorite food, even though you weren't really hungry? That feeling you get when you crave something tasty even if you don't need it is what we call hedonic hunger.

Now, let's break it down a bit more. There are two types of hunger, physical hunger and hedonic hunger. Physical hunger is when your body needs food to fuel itself and give you energy. Hedonic hunger, on the other hand, is when you crave food because it tastes good and makes you happy, even if you're not physically hungry.

Imagine your tummy is like a car that needs gasoline to run. When the gas tank is empty, that means you're physically hungry and your body really needs some food. But sometimes, even when your gas tank is full, you still want to stop at a candy store and get some sweets. That's hedonic hunger!

Now, this type of hunger can be a bit tricky because it's not really related to your body's needs. Instead, it's more about your feelings and emotions. For example, you might have had a bad day at school and want to eat some comfort food to feel better. Or you might see a commercial for your favorite fast food place and suddenly have a strong urge to go there even though you just ate.

The problem with hedonic hunger is that it can lead to overeating and weight gain if we give in to it too often. It's important to learn how to manage our cravings and make healthy choices most of the time. So next time you really want a cupcake, ask yourself if you're truly physically hungry or if it's just hedonic hunger.