Which practice helps to develop interoceptive awareness through hunger cues?

The practice of a hunger scan is essential for developing interoceptive awareness, which involves recognizing and interpreting internal body signals, particularly those related to hunger and fullness. A hunger scan encourages individuals to tune in to their bodies' natural cues, helping them to identify specific sensations of hunger. This process fosters a direct connection with what the body is experiencing and can empower individuals to respond appropriately to their needs rather than relying on external rules or restrictions.

By engaging in a hunger scan, individuals learn to differentiate between various levels of hunger, from physical hunger to emotional triggers, thus enhancing their intuitive eating skills. This practice is integral to the concept of intuitive eating, where understanding and responding to one's internal signals takes precedence over external dietary guidelines.

In contrast, food journaling primarily focuses on recording what is eaten, while calorie counting emphasizes numerical values, both of which can sometimes detract from listening to bodily cues. Meal prepping involves planning and preparing food in advance and does not specifically address attuning to hunger signals. Therefore, among the given options, a hunger scan clearly stands out as the most effective tool for developing interoceptive awareness through hunger cues.