Food Scoring Guide: How Nutrients Control Your Appetite
Hunger is a complicated thing. It is controlled by a system of messengers—hormones, nerves, and neurotransmitters. When your body’s micronutrient needs are not met, you can be driven to eat more calories than you need for optimal health.
Because of poor diet and health habits, many people experience uncomfortable symptoms a few hours after eating. This leads them to eat too often—and too much—as a way of preventing the discomfort. The symptoms are similar to those drug addicts feel when they are too long with their “fix” Like drug addicts, people with food addictions feel poorly after digestion because their bodies are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Since eating again (akin to taking another “fix”) makes the discomfort go away, these detoxification symptoms are mistaken for hunger. I call these symptoms “toxic hunger.” Toxic hunger goes away when you establish the habit of eating a high-nutrient diet.
Symptoms of Toxic Hunger
Because of poor diet and health habits, many people experience uncomfortable symptoms a few hours after eating. This leads them to eat too often—and too much—as a way of preventing the discomfort. The symptoms are similar to those drug addicts feel when they are too long with their “fix” Like drug addicts, people with food addictions feel poorly after digestion because their bodies are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Since eating again (akin to taking another “fix”) makes the discomfort go away, these detoxification symptoms are mistaken for hunger. I call these symptoms “toxic hunger.” Toxic hunger goes away when you establish the habit of eating a high-nutrient diet.
Symptoms of Toxic Hunger
- Shakes
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
- Stomach fluttering
- Abdominal cramping
- Mental confusion
