One autism sign no one talks about: Not feeling hungry until it’s too late

I don’t know if anyone else experiences this, but I’ve realized I don’t actually feel hunger the way people describe it. People talk about that “empty feeling” in their stomach, like a clear signal that it’s time to eat. I don’t get that at all. There’s no obvious cue, no gradual buildup. It’s just… nothing. Then suddenly, my body crashes. The only way I know I’m hungry is when my stomach starts growling or I feel nauseous, dizzy, or just off. By that point, I’m already past the stage where eating feels easy or normal. And because of that, I end up forgetting to eat a lot. It’s not intentional. It’s not me being careless. It genuinely feels like my brain just doesn’t send the signal properly. I’ve started realizing this might be one of those autism-related things that nobody really talks about: that disconnect between the brain and the body. It’s like not fully picking up on internal signals until they become extreme. Hunger, thirst, and even things like needing rest or realizing you’re overwhelmed can go unnoticed until they hit hard. And it actually affects more than people think. Skipping meals throws off your energy, your focus, and your mood. Then it starts to look like something else is wrong when really your body just didn’t give you a clear early warning. What’s helped me a bit is treating food less like a feeling and more like a routine. I’ve had to rely on time instead of signals, just checking in with myself and eating anyway even if I don’t feel hungry yet. Keeping things simple also makes a difference, because when I’m already off, even small tasks feel bigger than they should. I’m still figuring it out, but just realizing that my experience isn’t “just me being weird” has made a difference.