Monday 9 July 2001

Pic of the day: Chocolate cookies.

Eating when not hungry

There is saying that everything that is fun is either illegal, immoral or fattening. Eating when you're not hungry is certainly fattening, probably immoral, but presumably not illegal yet. Since it is such a simple case, it is ideal for an entry today. I'm writing and rewriting some lenghty email, so to save my wrist at the end of the day, I'll take this clear-cut case. Smart, am I not?

And of course, whatever we observe for hunger should be applicable to other needs, and the other way around.

***

Now, why would anyone eat when they are not hungry? As you know, we and all animals need to eat, so we can sustain our body with energy and building materials. It is so wisely arranged that we have instincts (or "urges" in the case of humans) that make sure we eat if there is food to be had. We may be able to overrule this need, but it is certainly hard to do. It is basically hard-wired into our brain.

There are two obvious levels of the need for food: "Hunger" is when the body is ready to process more food, "starvation" is when the body actually runs low on essential supplies like sugar, fat or protein. At some point inbetween there, most people are willing to contemplate minor crimes at the very least to get food. But once you have eaten a large meal, the need is suddenly gone. Until next time.

But somewhere after you are filled up with food, and before the tank is empty again, a lot of people start to eat again. Why do they do this? Why do they do this even when they know there will be food available when they grow hungry again?

Well, perhaps they are bored. When people have nothing else to do, they will often automatically repeat actions that have given them pleasure in the past. One of these is eating. There are various others too, but we shall wait with that for the moment.

There is another reason to eat, too. It just tastes so good. And looks so inviting. And smells so delicious. We eat not just because of ourself, but because of the food. The better the food, the more we want it.

***

In contrast, hunger does not leave much room for elevated tastes. To the starving plebeian, the marinated nightingale tongue of the patrician is not particularly different from the cooked cabbage, except that there is more of the cabbage. Hunger may be the best cook - if your goal is to wolf down the food without noticing how it tastes.

Now I am sure you can see how this might apply to other areas of life too. We do have other needs too. For instance, humans are social beings. We have a need, an instinct if you will, that draws us to other people. In some this urge is stronger, in others weaker, in a few it is barely noticeable. Certainly we are better off than many dolphins, who will die within hours if left utterly alone. But even for humans, solitary confinement is considered a harsh punishment.

Now if someone don't particularly need more human company at the moment, and still choose to seek out a certain person or group? It could certainly be boredom, unless you had other interesting things to do that were more close at hand. Otherwise, we would have to conclude that it was appreciation. That this person really liked the company.

I am sure you can find other examples if you use your imagination. :) But I'll stop here.