When we ignore our hunger, it generally means that we believe that there’s something more important than paying attention to it. Sometimes this is true—when we’re in danger, for example. But avoiding our hunger for the purpose of getting thinner tells the body that it doesn’t know what it needs. It does.
Hunger is the body’s way of saying that it needs fuel. The body doesn’t know whether there’s food available or not. Avoiding food at these times tells it to conserve energy, which eventually lowers metabolism. Also, the body will make the signal louder. The louder the body is saying it needs food, the more food we will normally eat when we decide to do so.
Responding to hunger promptly, consistently, and moderately creates a good eating pattern.
