Why “Only Eat When You’re Hungry” Is Terrible Diet Advice
I hear it all the time. People reach out to me who have been trying desperately to eat healthier or lose weight, lamenting their lack of willpower.
“I try to eat only when I’m hungry, but I just can’t seem to keep my hands out of the snack bowl at work.”
It isn’t always the snack bowl. Sometimes it’s the cracker box before dinner or the peanut butter at night. Whatever the source of the downfall it is always laden with a side of guilt and self-loathing.
On the surface the idea makes sense. If you only eat when you’re hungry then you should be providing yourself just enough fuel to be healthy without overdoing it on calories.
The problem is that you aren’t a car (or a Nutricon), and fuel isn’t the only reason you eat. And the longer you pretend that’s an achievable goal, the longer you will suffer.
Humans eat for many reasons. Hunger is obviously a big one, but there are several others.