I started thinking about this reading the Irish Food thread because I had just had a well balanced snack and enough water so I was not technically hungry. Yet reading about the Potato Leek soup made me feel like eating and I get it confused with hunger. I read a book once and a nutritionist was talking about the difference between the two. Real hunger is when your blood sugar gets low and your stomach feels empty and could come with a slight headache or even dizziness. Appetite is wanting to eat. I have to be really careful because some of my medicine gives me a bigger appetite so I THINK I am hungry if I do not ask myself when I ate last and if I am not mistaking thirst for hunger. If it was 3 hours ago I am probably hungry. But if I ate 20 minutes ago and I got enough protein/carbs I just want to eat. I can't even watch cooking shows anymore-my appetite is triggered! Rather than fight the urge I just don't watch them.