I talk about hunger pretty often, but that’s because it happens several times a day. And often we’re pretty out of touch with it.

I recently shared in my instagram stories about taste hunger. A desire to eat that often occurs in the absence of physical hunger.

This can also be seen a social hunger, or memory hunger.

We’ll explore all facets of this.

Taste Hunger

This is how it sounds. You know something tastes good so you want it. You may see some chocolate or drive past your favorite quick eatery and it sounds good so you want some. This is a perfectly normal response. If someone talks about fries long enough, I will most certainly want some. Fries almost always sound and taste good to me.

As you give yourself unconditional permission to eat, you may find that your response to this hunger changes. When you are always allowed to have fries, they might not always sound good.

Social Hunger

This occurs in the context of social setting. Like a sports gathering, birthday party, or wedding.

If you went to your cousin’s birthday party at a local kids amusement place for a few hours, I would venture to say that there is likely to be food. A easy lunch/dinner option followed by cake and ice cream. It happens every single time. It’s a birthday! Having cake and ice cream in this setting is absolutely normal. Having cake and ice cream even after your full from pizza, is still normal. It’s a social setting where you’re relatively expected to partake in all the food.

Most brides don’t actually feel hungry during the course of their wedding day. They’re on cloud nine, and barely in touch with their bodies. Even though they may not be experiencing their hunger cues like normal, would you really ask them not to have cake with their partner to celebrate their union?

Memory Hunger

This one is near and dear to me. It’s the desire to eat because of the memories attached to the food.

A great example is returning home. When I go home, the first thing my grandma asks me is what I want to eat. 90% of the time I tell her greens and cornbread. That meal has so many positive memories associated with it. It doesn’t matter how late I get in, that pot is on the stove hot and waiting for me. I could have eaten pretty recently, and I’m still going to fix a bowl and top it with hot sauce because my grandma made it for me.

When we’re eating intuitively we can respond to each of these with ease as they come up. Our response will change as we progress through our journey.

I’ll use an example from my own life. I went to an office party in December. There was lots of snacky type food available. Previously I would have added some of everything to my plate. It’s the “polite” thing to do right? I didn’t feel the need to do that this time. After surveying the food landscape I was able to determine what sounded good, and what didn’t. I added the amount that looked satisfying to my plate and continued to socialize. I didn’t feel pressure to add things to my plate that I knew I wouldn’t enjoy. I also was able to listen to my hunger and fullness cues.

Honor Your Body

When these types of huger present in your life, you can respond to them in a way that honors your hunger and your values.

You can eat more or less depending on how hungry you are. You can honor your relationships by sharing a meal. You are also allowed to be full, and honor your fullness.

If you are full, this could mean that you pack up some food to have later. This could mean packing a dish of my grandmas food to have the next day (or at some point while I’m home.) This could mean packing up food from the party to go. Take home some cake! Birthday cake is delicious!

Know that this type of hunger is normal. Your body is not different or wrong because you have the desire to eat in social settings surrounded by food. Food is a social lubricant. It adds richness and intimacy to relationships. It’s a way that we express love and care to those around us.

You are allowed to respond to your body when this happens. You allowed to eat past a point of comfortable fullness. It won’t last forever. Your body knows what to do with the food you’ve eaten.

What ever event you’re headed to in the near future, I want you think about what you value. Is it the person you’re celebrating? Is the relationship? I also want you think about how you can honor your body. Wearing comfortable clothes so that if you do become uncomfortably full, your clothes are forgiving? Packing up food you enjoy for later, because you’re satisfied in the moment?

You are allowed to honor your body in the way that feels best. This will change as you go through life. You know your body best.

Today is the best day to change your life!