I think it was RawNora who said something about hunger looking different when you are

[Toni in OR]

raw. Now I am wondering what it looks like. She said that stomach growling is really a form of detox. I have never heard anything like that but am not surprised as I have had my stomach growl in a classic "hungry" type of feeling and yet known that there was no way I was actually I was hungry because I had just eaten something, usually an apple or green beans (raw).

So if I don't have a growling tummy to tell me that I am hungry, what should I look for? Blood sugar dropping isn't always a good indicator for me. I want to be sure that I am nourishing my body well but I don't want to over eat either.
Any thoughts on this one?

[Bingka]

In the beginning of my raw journey (6 weeks ago) I would eat just to eat. After the first week I realized I was just eating for no reason. Now I eat when I start to think about food. I really never feel hungry anymore. Every now and then all I can think of is food and then I know I am really hungry. My body tells me when to eat. It starts to give me cravings. LIke now. I really want a big bowl of salad. But I don't feel really hungry, just that "I could eat" feeling.

Ken

[Toni in OR]

So Ken, are you saying that you are actually hungry right now? Or does a big salad just sound good? I guess I am trying to figure out the difference between head hunger ("I feel like eating") and actual physical hunger ("I need to refuel for optimum performance").

Btw, quite the impressive transformation in those pics the other day. I didn't comment at the time but you were one of the ones that convinced me to give it another go. I went raw last February but have had some issues with sticking with it. I want to look like you! (sans beard, of course ;) )

[jujube]

When your stomach makes noises it's from air bubbles or digestion lower in the intenstines, so yeah, not a reliable indicator of hunger. I've had my stomach make noises after eating fruit sometimes. I don't agree that a gurgly stomach is from detox, though--just digestive processes.

Try this. If you're wondering whether you're actually hungry, ask yourself if you want some greens. Just plain greens, no dressing or other ingredients. If you're truly hungry, bare greens will look appealing, because your body is asking for nourishment. If you just want to eat for pleasure, greens will look too "boring" to be appetizing.

Also try drinking some water and waiting about 15 minutes. If your hunger disappears after that, it was probably just a temporary craving.

[Bingka]

I am glad I have helped someone get started.

My head hunger is my hunger indicator. I don't really eat for pleasure anymore. If I just get say a feeling for a cucumber, I wait a little wihile and see if it is persistant. If I keep thinking of a cucumber, I have one.

I also drink alot of water, so alot of times I am not hungry just thirsty.

The longer you are raw the easier it will get.

Ken

[rawnora]

Hi Toni,
There is a detailed explanation of false vs. true hunger here:
http://www.rawschool.com/emotionaleaters.htm. Enjoy. :)

Nora
www.RawSchool.com

[Toni in OR]

Hi Toni,
There is a detailed explanation of false vs. true hunger here:
http://www.rawschool.com/emotionaleaters.htm. Enjoy. :)

Nora
www.RawSchool.com

Thank you very much, Nora. Very informative.