Hunger & Food Addiction

Hunger and Food Addiction: The Changing Perception of Hunger on a High Nutrient Density Diet

This study arose from our clinical observations that a diet high in micronutrients decreases food cravings and overeating behaviors. We hypothesize that a diet low in micronutrients leads to a build-up of toxic metabolites and increased oxidative stress that can create physical symptoms of withdraw in between meals. These symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, headaches, irritability and tremors are commonly interpreted as hunger. We believe that these symptoms are secondary to “toxic hunger” which arises from a micronutrient-poor diet.

The study is a retrospective analysis of 700 participants from Dr. Fuhrman's website. Survey questions were administered and referred to two classifications of diet: The Standard American Diet (SAD) and the High Nutrient Density Diet (HNDD). The purpose of the analysis was to compare the differences in the experience of hunger in the HND diet versus the SAD diet.

This study demonstrated that individuals who adopted a HND diet did not experience uncomfortable sensations of hunger after several weeks on the HND diet.  But, more importantly, in the majority of participants, the symptoms commonly considered hunger by traditional views, disappeared and were replaced by signals of what the researchers consider “true hunger” felt in the throat area. This transitioning of hunger symptoms was integral to successful weight loss and long-term maintenance of a normal weight.