Which scenario demonstrates an external eating cue?

Which scenario demonstrates an external eating cue?

• A. Feeling hungry due to fatigue
• B. Reading a Nutrition Label for Information
• C. Smelling Popcorn at a Cinema
• D. Eating because you are thirsty

Answer: (C)

External eating cues are environmental signals that prompt eating even when you don’t feel hungry. The scent of popcorn in a cinema is a classic example because the aroma comes from the surroundings and can trigger a desire to eat regardless of your energy needs. In contrast, feeling hungry due to fatigue is an internal signal your body sends you about energy depletion. Reading a nutrition label is about information, not a prompt to eat. Eating because you’re thirsty is an internal cue tied to hydration, not an outside stimulus.

External eating cues are environmental signals that prompt eating even when you don’t feel hungry. The scent of popcorn in a cinema is a classic example because the aroma comes from the surroundings and can trigger a desire to eat regardless of your energy needs. In contrast, feeling hungry due to fatigue is an internal signal your body sends you about energy depletion. Reading a nutrition label is about information, not a prompt to eat. Eating because you’re thirsty is an internal cue tied to hydration, not an outside stimulus.