04/25/2026
Are you in-tune with your hunger-fullness cues?
This is your body's natural way of telling you when to start and stop eating. But unfortunately, many of us aren't listening because of our environment, our genetics, or lack of practice.
Ready to relearn? Start with the Hunger-Fullness Scale! Use this tool to help you identify when you are full and when we are hungry, allowing you to better identify your own cues over time.
1 STARVING - Totally empty, dizzy, nauseous, very weak
2 RAVENOUS - Hangry, gnawing emptiness, headache
3 HUNGRY - Stomach growling, ready to eat
4 SLIGHTLY HUNGRY - Starting to think about food, could eat but able to wait
5 NEUTRAL - Not hungry, not full
6 SLIGHTLY SATISFIED - No longer hungry but could eat more
7 SATISFIED - No longer full but completely comfortable
8 FULL - Slightly uncomfortable, ate a little too much
9 OVERLY FULL - Very uncomfortable, "I need my stretchy pants"
10 STUFFED - Stomach pain, nauseous, bloated, hurts to move
Check in with yourself before, during, and after a meal! The goal is to start eating at a 3 or 4 (hungry/stomach growling) and stop at a 6 or 7 (satisfied/comfortably satisfied) to maintain energy without risk of overeating.
Here's your homework:
- Start tracking your hunger-fullness rating before and after each meal and snack for the next week.
- Practice slowing down to help you assess how you're feeling throughout the meal. Take small sips of water or a drink in between bites. Chew your food well. Put smaller bites of food on your fork or spoon.
- Eat without distractions. Always eating with a phone in your hand or in front of the TV/computer can make it easier to miss your fullness cues and overeat.
Drop your current hunger-fullness rating in the comments! Save and share this post to help others practice this skill.