Hunger

Hunger is a game-mechanic that will be added in Update 0.12.0. Hunger introduces a new bar which degenerates over time, and needs to be replenished by eating food.

Importance
Hunger Bars are important, due to when the hunger bar is full, the player will slowly regenerate health- a feature currently only available in Peaceful mode.

Sprinting
When the hunger bar is above 3 points, the player is able to sprint. It allows the player to move faster and jump longer. It will be added in Update 0.12.0 alongside Hunger.

Restoration
Any food item can restore hunger. However, some foods are better than other. For example, steak would restore less points than a whole cake but the cake will have less saturation as it is classed as 'junk food'.

Controversy
Due to the controversy Hunger caused in Minecraft PC, the Minecraft PE team stated that they may or may not add hunger, but in the 21 Million Panel Livestream, it was stated Hunger will be implemented in a future update. (Update 0.12.0)

Trivia

 * The Hunger icon looks a bit like a chicken drumstick or a shank.
 * When affected by Hunger Status Effect, the Hunger Icon color will change to green.