Balance Begets Hunger: The Cycle of Abundance and Starvation

The human body is wired by evolutionary programming to respond dramatically to cycles of caloric abundance and restriction. When individuals enter a phase of caloric surplus followed by restriction, they often feel compelled to rectify what they perceive as a 'moral debt' to their diet. This leads to a significant caloric deficit in an attempt to compensate, but this approach is flawed. After a period of caloric restriction, the body's evolutionary response triggers a heightened state of hunger and cravings, driven by an intrinsic survival instinct. This cycle reinforces a 'feast or famine' mentality, causing diet fatigue and a push to consume more after deprivation. Ultimately, this ensures the body enters a state of preparedness for potential scarcity, compelling it to store excess energy as body fat during times of plenty, resulting in a constant battle between caloric intake and expenditure.