Some of the "symptoms" of hunger include stomach growling, lethargy, shaky hands, headaches, lack of concentration, and irritability. True hunger appears gradually and subsides after food intake.

However, there is another type of hunger, known as emotional hunger. In this case, eating is not aimed at satisfying energy and nutritional needs but at managing emotions such as stress, boredom, loneliness, sadness, or fatigue. Food stimulates the brain's reward system and promotes the release of dopamine, temporarily improving the emotional state. However, when emotional hunger becomes frequent or a daily occurrence, it is considered dysfunctional.

In most cases, emotional hunger leads to the consumption of unhealthy foods, such as junk food or sweets. Consequently, it can cause long-term health problems or excessive weight gain.

Emotional hunger is associated with a vicious cycle of negative emotions and episodes of overeating, as eating triggers feelings of shame and guilt. These, in turn, lead to another episode of overeating, and the negative emotions never truly subside.

Typical signs that hunger is emotional and not a genuine biological need include: hunger manifests suddenly and must be satisfied immediately, there is a strong craving for specific (usually unhealthy) foods, there is no real feeling of satisfaction even if the stomach is full, and finally, after eating, feelings of shame and guilt prevail.

In no case should we "demonize" food or permanently deprive ourselves of sweets or foods with low nutritional value. We have every right to enjoy a treat now and then and not feel guilty about it! The "key" to distinguishing the true source of hunger is to listen to both our body and our emotions. When food is directly linked to stress, sadness, or anger, then it serves only as a temporary solution and relief. Only by addressing the negative emotions themselves can we achieve true release and break the vicious cycle of overeating.