Changing Perceptions of Hunger

A recant study performed by Joel Fuhrman, Babara Sarter, Dale Glaser and Steve Acocella, caught my eye in the Nutrition Journal. The study was entitled, Changing perceptions of hunger on a high nutrient density diet.

The study observed 768 participants; primarily from the United States, as they changed their dietary habits from a low micronutrient diet to a high micronutrient diet.

They reported highly significant changes in both physical and emotional symptoms of hunger. Those who practiced the high micronutrient diet reported that hunger was more tolerated and occurred less frequently, even when meals were skipped.

After the completion of this study they were able to conclude that a high micronutrient dense diet mitigates the unpleasant aspects of the experience of hunger even though it is lower in calories. This study suggests that it is not simple caloric content, but more importantly the micronutrient density of a diet that influences the experience of hunger. A high micronutrient diet can result in more sustainable eating habits that will lead to weight loss and improved health.

I have always been a firm believer that your body tells you what it needs. And this study suggests that by consuming a diet high in micronutrients that your body’s nutritional requirements will be met more efficiently therefore reducing the snack cravings even when you are not hungry. So what is the take-away here? If you improve the QUALITY of your food, your body will desire less QUANTITY. 

To view the entire study click here.