What’s the difference between appetite and true hunger? Hunger is your body’s physical response to lack of food. Your stomach may growl, you may feel tired, slightly irritable or even have a headache. Appetite is more about the desire for food. It is the mental and emotional drive to eat, which can be affected by time of the day, food availability, social acceptance, stress and boredom. Tuning into your body’s signals and eating when you are truly hungry is an important part of healthy weight management.