Appetite versus Hunger

There is a huge difference between appetite and hunger.

According to Dr. Douglas Graham, author of the 80/10/10 Diet, "The goal of hunger is to satisfy a nutritional requirement...... We are driven to eat to fill this need and rewarded by the pleasure of it. Because hunger is the general desire for food, when one is truly hungry, any food will be acceptable."

How many times have your kids whined, "I'm hungry!" and you tell them they can have a banana or an apple, and they turn it down because what they are really asking for is that cookie, Twinkie or Oreo? Did you for one minute think they were really hungry?

Dr. Graham goes on to say, "Appetite, on the other hand, is specific - we desire a specific food or foods. Appetite is also the socially acceptable word for craving, which in turn is the socially acceptable word for addiction."

Strong words, but if you stop and really, honestly think about it, you'll see that he is on to something. This is what Natural Hygienists teach. Victoria Boutenko has written a book on "12 Steps to Raw Food: How to End Your Addiction to Cooked Food", newly revised and now entitled, "12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Dependence on Cooked Food" that is helpful.

Consider this scenario: You've just eaten your fill of a big meal, you enjoyed it immensely, and are quite full. You are offered more mashed potatoes, but you grab your stomach and protest, "Oh, no, I couldn't possibly eat another bite! I am stuffed!!"

But then dessert, maybe a freshly baked apple pie with ice cream on top, along with your favorite flavored coffee, is served, and you say, "Oh, I guess I have a little room left" and proceed to have two slices and two cups of coffee, because it all tastes so good.

That is an example of appetite. And of course it will be played out and intensified over the Thanksgiving holiday.

It's tough to change things if we're not aware either of the problem, or we don't know how to change. Knowledge is key, and I hope these articles will be of help to you.

Phyllis Towse