Mistaking Thirst for Hunger

Is that really possible? I am a bit skeptical. 

yes.

Actually, it is possible. Back when I was overweight, both my parents and my doctor actually suggested that I drink a glass or two of water whenever I felt extremely ravenous. 9 times out of 10, it completely got rid of my hunger for several hours. This was also back when I rarely ever drank anything, so it's quite possible I mistook thirst for hunger.

It never works for me. If I drink a glass of water when I feel hungry, it only makes the fact that I am hungry even clearer. There was also an article about it in Scientific American. 

Original Post by vincent_louis:

It never works for me. If I drink a glass of water when I feel hungry, it only makes the fact that I am hungry even clearer. There was also an article about it in Scientific American. 

 In that case, you might be experiencing true hunger. Especially considering that you recently began eating a normal amount of calories after an extended period of undereating. So it might just be your body still recovering physically from the ED. Though I can't say I've ever heard of water actually increasing the sensation of hunger..

I actually posted the other day about this. When I feel hungry and I drink water it does increase my appetite. I don't think that I've ever felt hungry, had some water and then felt like I didn't want to eat. Of course, I'm on a 1200 cal diet and I'm still getting used to eating less. I tried drinking water to keep me from feeling hungry and it never works. It'd be nice if it did

Yes, that's how I feel about it. Similar to diet pills, if it really worked, then wouldn't everyone be thin?

I used to get this. But then I used to drink max three cups of tea a day and nothing else... unless I went to a bar (maybe I'd drink a glass of water if I had a hangover).

If your body is used to you never really drinking anything then you never feel thirsty. When I started drinking more liquids I noticed I wasn't always as hungry as I was before and sometimes I wasn't hungry after drinking water I'd just been thirsty. An other thing is if I eat rice or bread or pasta then have some water it fills me up more.

I'd guess if you actually drink water then you are probably hungry if you feel hungry.

That sounds a lot like how I used to be. My parents would constantly have to remind me to drink, because I simply did not do so on my own!

nb2hott4u, it sounds to me like you're expieriencing real hunger. 1200 calories is pretty low, and your body might not be supported on that amount.

I experience thinking I'm hungry, when I am actually only thirsty.  Unfortunately, it's not just hunger that I misinterpret, though.  I actually crave chocolate when I am thirsty.  Thankfully, I have come to recognize that more often than not a bad chocolate craving can be quieted by a couple big glasses of water, and a bit of time for my mind and body to adjust.

Original Post by tanoa:

I experience thinking I'm hungry, when I am actually only thirsty.  Unfortunately, it's not just hunger that I misinterpret, though.  I actually crave chocolate when I am thirsty.  Thankfully, I have come to recognize that more often than not a bad chocolate craving can be quieted by a couple big glasses of water, and a bit of time for my mind and body to adjust.

 

 

Or perhaps, by the time that you have finished drinking those large glasses of water, the craving has greatly diminished. Cravings typically only last from 15-20 minutes. 

I experience this all the time and it took me years (29 to be exact) to realize this.  For me it seems to happen mostly when I eat something high in sodium earlier in the day or the night before.  For example on Saturday I had 2 slices of pizza at about 9pm.  All day Sunday I felt hungry but knew to drink instead. 

I notice that on days when I drink the amount of water I'm supposed to, I'm a lot less likely to be super hungry or go over my calories for the day. 

Water doesn't seem to stave off feeling hungry, but if I drink water and chew gum, that usually prevents any trips to the vending machine or the fridge.