We’ve all been there. Wandering into the kitchen, opening the fridge, staring blankly, and asking ourselves, “Why did I come in here?”
Sometimes, we end up snacking without even realizing it — not because we’re hungry, but because we need a break, a distraction, or a little comfort.
So how do you know the difference between true hunger and emotional eating?
That’s where the Broccoli Test comes in — a simple, powerful tool that I teach all my clients.
The broccoli test is a binary hunger check — a way to instantly determine whether you’re truly hungry or just reaching for food out of habit or emotion.
Here’s how it works:
Ask yourself: “Would I eat broccoli right now?”, or perhaps "Would I eat an apple right now?"
If the answer is yes, you’re likely experiencing physical hunger.
If the answer is no, your hunger may be emotional — and your body may need something else entirely.
You don’t need to crave broccoli to do this — you just need to identify a food you personally associate with true hunger. It could be broccoli, an apple, a boiled egg, or even a plain baked potato.
Think of it like this:
You probably wouldn’t stress-eat broccoli. You probably wouldn’t grab an apple out of boredom. But when your body needs nourishment, those foods sound just right.
So… what’s your “broccoli”? (And yes, I actually give my clients fridge magnets that say: “Would I eat broccoli?”)
If broccoli doesn’t sound good, that means one thing:
You’re not actually hungry.
But don’t just go back to work or power through. Chances are, you came into the kitchen or break room for a reason - your brain and body are looking for a break.
This is where the broccoli test becomes part of a bigger transformation.
Instead of eating, ask yourself:
Maybe you need to:
The goal is to do something fulfilling, not just distracting, something that truly feeds your spirit instead of feeding a craving.
This isn't the moment to tackle other chores; for instance, many clients might think, "I'll fold the laundry or tidy up the living room." However, this approach often fails because the mind genuinely needs a break, and contemplating additional tasks only increases feelings of overwhelm or boredom.
As I tell my clients, if you were to drive from Bellingham to Los Angeles, you'd certainly make some rest stops. Just as a car requires fuel and occasional cleaning, you also need a rest stop - and nourishment - healthy, nutritious, and energizing food.
If broccoli sounds good? Awesome. That means your body is asking for nourishment - and you can feel good about eating.
This simple question helps you eat with clarity and confidence, because you’re responding to a real signal, not a subconscious pattern or stress response.
You’ll naturally reach for foods that feel good in your body. And over time, you’ll notice:
When we meet our deeper needs - rest, creativity, connection, joy, we no longer rely on food to do that job. The mind no longer has to bribe you with snacks just to get a break.
And that’s the real power of this process:
It’s not just about eating less, it’s about living more.
Next time you find yourself standing in the kitchen or thinking about grabbing a snack, pause for a moment. Ask:
Let that one question guide you toward real hunger… or a different kind of nourishment you might really need.
Visit ReprogramYourWeight.com to get a free hypnosis recording and discover how peaceful, natural eating can feel - without food journaling, calorie counting, or self-blame.