Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Hedonic eating refers to food consumption driven by pleasure, palatability, and reward rather than by physiological energy need. It arises when the brain's reward circuitry — particularly mesolimbic dopamine pathways…

Hedonic hunger refers to a strong desire or preoccupation with consuming food for the enjoyment and pleasure it brings rather than responding to actual physical hunger cues. It involves craving…

Hedonic "override" describes situations where the motivation to eat persists despite satiety signals, driven by the brain’s reward systems rather than physiological energy needs. This occurs when highly palatable food…

The pursuit of pleasure and reward in eating, often linked to the brain's reward centers (such as the nucleus accumbens) and neurotransmitters like dopamine. This system governs the desire for…

Helper T-cells are a subset of T-cells that assist in coordinating and regulating immune responses. They release signaling molecules to facilitate the activation of other immune cells, including B-cells and…

Herbal nootropics refer to natural substances derived from plants that are believed to enhance cognitive function, memory, and overall brain health. Unlike synthetic nootropics, these compounds are sourced from traditional…

A Heritage Diet (sometimes referred to as a traditional or ancestral diet) is a way of eating based on the traditional foods, cooking techniques, and dietary patterns of a specific…

Hidden hunger refers to a form of malnutrition where individuals suffer from deficiencies in essential micronutrients—such as iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A—despite consuming adequate energy intake. This often occurs…

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is considered beneficial because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of heart disease. It is often referred to as "good cholesterol".

Highly palatable foods are characterized by being high in fat, sodium, simple sugars, and carbohydrates. This term has recently been operationalized within research to lend understanding to the various definitions…