Hunger, Appetite, Craving: What’s The Difference?
- Michael Zaronas
- Jan 26
- 2 min read
Hey!
Ever notice how sometimes you’re “hungry” and you’d eat really anything…
…but other times you’re “hungry” but only chips, sweets, or Chick-fil-a will do?
Those “hungers” are not equal — and understanding the difference will completely change how you eat.
There are actually 3 different experiences people lump together as “hunger…”
1️⃣ Physical Hunger
The TRUE FACT that your body is low on fuel.
It builds gradually.
Almost any real food sounds good.
You may feel stomach growls, low energy, or trouble focusing.
This kind of hunger isn’t the enemy — it’s communication. Pay attention to it, and respond appropriately.
2️⃣ Appetite
The GENERAL DESIRE to simply eat.
You walk past the kitchen → suddenly you want something.
It’s 9pm → your brain says “snack time.”
You smell food cooking → now you want to eat something too.
Nothing is necessarily “wrong” here.
But appetite is not always a physical need — it’s often an emotional, cue-driven response.
3️⃣ Cravings
A SPECIFIC, EMOTIONAL DESIRE to eat a SPECIFIC FOOD.
You want candy → you can’t stop thinking about candy until you eat it.
You see a Burger King ad on TV → suddenly you want a greasy burger and fries.
You’re feeling stressed → a bag of Dorito’s is the only thing to escape that feeling.
This is where food starts becoming comfort, distraction, or relief instead of fuel.
It’s using food to “fix” an emotion.
This is where self-control and properly ordered desires must come into play.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Most people treat all three the same way — either by giving in to all of them, or trying to suppress all of them.
But God calls us to have wisdom and discernment - so pause and ask:
👉 “What kind of hunger is this?”
That one question creates space between impulse and action.
Sometimes the right response is to eat a solid meal.
Sometimes it’s water and a short break.
Sometimes it’s prayer, a walk, or just admitting, “I’m stressed, not starving.”
That’s not dieting.
That’s awareness.
That’s stewardship.
Your body isn’t trying to sabotage you.
It’s speaking a language.
Learning the language changes everything.
Hope this helps!
Michael
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