Watch: Dr. Sarb Johal Explains Food Noise
Food noise can feel different for everyone.
For some people, it's constantly thinking about food. For others, it's never quite feeling full, getting hungry again shortly after eating, or finding cravings intensify during stressful periods.
In this video, psychologist Dr. Sarb Johal explores the science behind appetite, cravings, and hunger, explaining why weight management isn't simply a matter of eating less. He introduces the concept of different hunger types and how understanding your unique hunger profile may help explain why managing food and weight feels easier for some people than others.
As a psychologist with more than three decades of experience helping people understand behavior, motivation, and decision-making, Dr. Johal brings a unique perspective to the conversation around appetite regulation. His message is simple: before trying to change your eating habits, it's important to understand the biological and psychological factors influencing them in the first place.
Could Your Hunger Type Be Driving Your Food Noise?
One of the key concepts Dr. Johal discusses is that hunger isn't the same for everyone.
Research suggests there are four distinct hunger types, each driven by different biological and behavioral factors. Understanding which type sounds most like you can provide valuable insight into why managing appetite, cravings, and weight may feel more difficult than it seems for others.
Hungry Brain
Do you often feel like you're still looking for something to eat, even after finishing a meal?
Some people struggle to feel fully satisfied and find themselves eating more before fullness kicks in.
Hungry Gut
Do you feel comfortably full after eating, only to find yourself hungry again much sooner than expected?
For some people, the feeling of fullness simply doesn't last as long.
Emotional Hunger
Have you ever noticed cravings become stronger during stressful periods?
For this group, emotions, habits, stress, and reward pathways can play a major role in food choices and appetite.
Slow Burn
Do you feel like you gain weight more easily than others despite eating similarly?
Some people naturally burn less energy, making weight management feel like an uphill battle.
The important thing to remember is that none of these hunger types are a reflection of willpower.
They're simply different ways our biology can influence hunger and appetite.
What's Your Hunger Type?
If any of these sound familiar, the next step is finding out which hunger type most closely matches your experience.
Take our hunger type quiz to discover what may be driving your food noise and learn how to work with your biology, not against it.
Want To Dive Deeper?
Once you've completed the quiz, explore our detailed guide to the four hunger types and the science behind appetite regulation.
