Interoception, Hunger & Thirst, when your body talk... but we don't hear it

Sometimes meals are forgotten until shakiness, irritability, or feeling unwell sets in. ??
Thirst may only become noticeable once a headache appears! ??

This is actually very common, especially among neurodivergent folks, where hunger and thirst cues can be faint or delayed.

This has nothing to do with willpower or discipline!
It’s about interoception, which is our brain’s ability to recognise signals from inside the body.

When interoception is faint, delayed, or confusing, it can lead to:

• skipping meals without meaning to
• eating past fullness
• confusing emotional and physical hunger
• low energy, headaches, crashes, irritability
• reliance on external rules instead of internal cues

This is especially common in ADHD, where hyperfocus, disrupted routines, impulsivity and medication can all make eating irregular.

The good news?
With awareness, gentle check-ins and the right support, these cues can become clearer over time.
We can build body trust without restriction, guilt or perfection! ??

I recently wrote a full article for @nutritionist_resource breaking this down, including why it happens and how to gently reconnect with hunger and fullness cues.

Comment “article” and I’ll send it to you.

Do you recognise any of this in yourself, a loved one or clients?
What cues are easiest or hardest to notice… hunger, thirst, or fullness?