Craving or Hunger - What's the Difference?

I've been very hungry the last 2 days, although I think it may be craving. I am not as sure because I've been sticking with the vegan plan but have been eating Dentyne Fire like it was popcorn. It does have some alcohol sugar, sorbitol and malitol which are carbs and have a high glycemic index. This has been known to stall dieters and I may have found my culprit!

So hunger is when you need fuel. It is not a gnawing feeling in your gut. It doesn't cause you to ransack the pantry looking for anything to stuff in your mouth. It is a feeling that can pretty comfortably be delayed until you can prepare a meal or get a meal. You can often delay it for an hour or two and finish whatever you were doing. Once you eat you become full and energized and can start your next activity. Satisfying hunger is not followed by recriminations.

Craving is all encompassing. It gnaws at your gut. The desire for the food you crave takes over all thought processes. It can be satisfied for a short time but then starts up again. It can cause you to rip through your pantry or fridge. It will cause you to eat your kids Halloween candy, stop at the bakery and load up, grab candy bars in the Target line. Giving in to a craving is followed by guilt.

It doesn't take much to get me craving, hence the very restricted eating. The gum slipped under my chinks. I ate 2 packs yesterday! In the garbage today!

Read more about sugar alcohols:

Maltitol: Just Say No
Why Maltitol is Often More Trouble Than It's Worth

By Laura Dolson, About.com Guide

Updated February 25, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
See More About:

* sugar alcohols
* low carb ingredients
* glycemic index
* maltitol
* sugar substitutes

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Occasionally, someone will ask why their low-carb diet isn’t working as they think it should be. One of the first questions I ask is whether they are eating products with a lot of sugar alcohols such as maltitol. Although it doesn’t have the same impact on every individual, this one ingredient has been known to stall many a well-intentioned dieter. Here’s why.
What is Maltitol?
Maltitol is a sugar alcohol, an ingredient commonly used in low-carb or “sugar-free” products such as candy and nutrition bars. It is used so much because of its similarity to sugar in terms of taste, mouth feel, and interaction with other ingredients. Products which use maltitol and other sugar alcohols as sweeteners can be called “sugar free.” Although claims are often made that maltitol has little impact on blood sugar, this turns out not to be the case.
Maltitol Has Carbs
Maltitol is a carbohydrate. Although our bodies do not absorb all the calories in maltitol, this substance does provide us with 2 to 3 calories per gram, compared to the 4 calories per gram of sugar. (For what its worth, I have noticed that the claim of 2 calories per gram usually comes from literature provided by the manufacturer or the low calorie food industry whereas other analyses tend to be closer to 3 calories.) Since maltitol is a carbohydrate, and since it provides calories, you would expect it to impact blood glucose. You would be correct.
Maltitol Has a Relatively High Glycemic Index
In particular, maltitol syrup has a glycemic index of 52, which approaches that of table sugar at 60. The powdered form has a glycemic index of 36, which is still higher than most other sugar alcohols and all artificial sweeteners.
Maltitol is Not as Sweet As Sugar
Estimates run from 75% to 90% of the sweetness of sugar. Again, the information provided by industry groups tends to give the 90% figure, while other sources say 75%. So, if maltitol has ¾ of the sweetness of sugar, ¾ the calories of sugar, and ¾ the glycemic index of sugar, it isn’t a far leap to the conclusion that you need ¼ more maltitol to get the same effect of sugar, which will give you close to the same effect in most other ways (except for dental cavities). You are basically getting expensive sugar. And…a bonus:
Maltitol can Cause Intestinal Discomfort
Usually this takes the form of intestinal gas and cramping, but some people may find themselves with diarrhea. If you decide to eat products with maltitol, you’d be wise to start with a small amount and judge the reaction -- as well whether you’ll be in a crowded room a few hours later.
Alternatives to Maltitol
The best alternatives to products with maltitol are usually made with erythritol, often in combination with artificial sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda). But almost any other sugar alcohol is at least a little better than maltitol (see chart at the bottom of this article about sugar alcohols.
More About Sugar Alcohols

* What Are Sugar Alcohols?
* Erythritol Information
* What Are Net Carbs?

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Laura Dolson
Guide since 2005

Laura Dolson
Low Carb Diets Guide

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