Psychology of Hunger and Eating
In our two previous posts on hunger, we’ve looked at why many of us always seem hungry and foods that help us feel fuller (and, possibly, delay the feeling of hunger afterward). As we’ve noted, however, the feeling of hunger and how much we eat isn’t always just physical. Psychological factors such as our surroundings, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, experiences and cultural backgrounds also play a significant role in our eating habits. Here are some of the key psychology of hunger and eating factors that relate to what and how much we eat and how satisfied we feel after a meal: Portion size: The visual presentation of a meal can influence how full people feel. Larger portion sizes tend to make people feel more satisfied, even if the caloric content is the same as a smaller portion. This is known as the “portion size effect.” Plate and bowl size: The size … Continue reading