Can someone please discribe the difference in head hunger and real hunger, how can you tell?

I don't have hunger any more. If I have not eaten in a while, I feel empty or light-headed but I don't have that "feed me now!" feeling I used to have. If I am busy I can easily go all day without thinking about food. Head hunger is when I have eaten dinner and think, "I'd really like a cookie now for dessert" or when I am watching TV and get up, go in the kitchen, and stand in front of the open fridge looking for something to eat. In both cases, I am re-enacting bad habits from before my surgery. I get head hunger when I'm bored, anxious, or tired. I don't keep junk food in the house anymore and now when head hunger strikes I try to distract myself first; if that doesn't work, I have either a high-protein snack (like jerky or an egg) or a low-calorie one (like cucumber rounds or a SF Popsicle).

I agree with Foxbins - when I am truly hungry (need food for nourishment) I feel light-headed and empty. That usually happens for me at about 4 hours after eating Protein last. If I go much past four hours without protein, I get cranky.

Head hunger is anything other than the above. Example #1: The feeling I get when I am eating something I enjoy and I am full (the point I like to stop). Head hunger will say "gosh, this food is tasing great, I want another bite!". Sometimes head hunger is driven by tastse - other times it can be driven by boredom, or in response to a TV commercial or program, or a smell of food, or numerous other triggers. I had a complicated relationship with food prior to my sleeve surgery - eating was my go to response for dam near any situation. I am working every day to change that.

One thing I do to see if it is head hunger or I really need to eat - I look at how long it has been since I have eaten. If it is less than four hours, I drink 16 -24 ounces of Fluid. Of course I can't drink that much fluid all at once - so I tell myself NO POSSIBLITY OF EATING UNTIL THE DRINK IS ALL GONE. (I have to be stern with myself). Then, after I finish drinking the designated amount, I re-evaluate the situation. I am always full after the liquid is done, so I will re-check in about a half an hour. Then, if my body is telling me it wants food, I will eat something (snack or meal, depending on what time it is and what the plans for the rest of the day are).

Good luck.

real hunger is when your tummy is growling and feeling very empty and it's been about 4 - 5 hours since you last ate. . . head hunger is when you know you ate a bit ago but man I could sure eat something. . .i get that ALOT. . . you actually have to stop, listen if your tummy is growling or really hungry, if not then it's head hunger. . drink water or crystal light. . for example, I just now got done eating a orawheat thin sandwich with a slice of hard salami and a slice of cheese, and a baby orange, , , well, its' been 1/2 hour and i'm saying how i would love some chocolate covered raisins right now. . .but my tummy is still squeezing a bit from the sandwich. . . so it's all in my head. . .and as soon as i can, i'll have some water with crystal light. . . right now i can't or i'll slime cause i'm still full. does that make sense? and of course I definately will not have the chocolate raisins.

All great examples, thanks so much!