14 harmful incidents that make you hungry always explain the triggers behind your urge for food frequently. Read below the 14 hunger triggers so that you can keep them in check.
Eating junk food
Though tasty in the moment, junk food like doughnuts, cakes, sugary drinks, chocolates, candy, and pastries is tasty but doesn’t give you lasting energy. Therefore, you may want to give them a break, and replace them with better choices: high fiber, whole grains, fruits or vegetables, including healthy fats such as salmon, mackerel, nuts, and avocado. Also, eat lean protein such as eggs, grilled chicken breast, beans, and lentils.
Stressful Life
When you’re stressed, your body removes hunger with a hormone called adrenaline. However, unabated stress can increase your cortisol, another hormone, makes you want to eat any food in sight. Your cortisol level decreases when your stress goes, bringing your appetite back to normal
High blood sugar
When you eat junk food like sweets or starchy carbs like doughnuts, pastries, or regular soda, this increases the sugar in your system all at once. In return, your body releases the hormone insulin to enable your cells to utilise as fuel or store for later use. However, that sugar rush causes more insulin production than you need, which lowers blood sugar too much, and you’re hungry.
You’re diabetic
If you’re diabetic, it means your body has an energy problem. You may get hungry because your body thinks it needs more fuel. But the real problem is that you have trouble changing food into fuel. Extreme hunger (Polyphagia) can be a symptom of diabetes. You also may lose weight, urinate more, and feel more tired.
Pregnancy
Some women’s food intake may be reduced due to nausea in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Others may feel hungry all the time and may also crave new foods. Or feel nauseated at the thought of eating food they once loved.
Food not satisfying
When you eat but are not satisfied, you tend to look for something else to eat. Foods are ranked according to how they satisfy on the ‘satiety index’. Higher-ranked foods satisfy your hunger better for the same calories. For instance, baked potatoes are a lot more filling than fries, and boiled plantain is more satisfying than fried plantain.
Feeling blue
You’re likely to turn to ‘comfort foods’ when you’re depressed, angry, sad, or bored. This is called ’emotional eating’. So if you’re not really hungry, try doing something you enjoy. And if you find that you often feel blue, stressed, or anxious, you may want to talk with your doctor or a counselor to plan healthy ways to handle those emotions.
Dehydrated
At times, when you’re dehydrated, you may think it’s food you need. Therefore, try drinking some water first. And if you’re still hungry, then you may need to eat something. Besides, because you had water first, it’s unlikely that you overeat.
On medication
Medicines that can affect your appetite include some that are used to treat depression or mood disorders, along with certain antihistamines, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids. So let your doctor know if you’re hungrier after you start a new medication. But don’t stop taking it on your own.
Insomnia
Sleeplessness or lack of sleep can change the balance of hunger hormones in a way that can make you want to eat more. It can also make you more likely to reach for snacks that have more calories and more fat to satisfy that urge.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar means there’s not enough fuel, or glucose, in your blood, and it can make you feel tired, weak, or dizzy. It can happen if you haven’t eaten in more than a few hours. If you have symptoms, your doctor may suggest keeping an eye on your blood sugar and eat some carbs when it’s low. You may need to eat a little more, or your medication may need to be adjusted to help keep it from happening.
Eating too quickly
When you eat too quickly, you might not give your body enough time to notice that you’re full. Eating slowly is also more satisfying, so you eat less. Eating slowly can help you focus: take smaller bites, chew well, and enjoy your food. Give it about 20 minutes, and see if you’re still hungry. If you are, fill up on fruits.
See and smell triggers
Your eyes and nose are the culprits here. You saw a poster displaying scoops of creamy ice cream or smelled fresh-baked bread or cookies as you walked past a bakery. These sensations are enough to make you want to eat, whether your body is hungry or not.
Overactive Thyroid
An overactive thyroid gland can make you tired, nervous, moody, and hungry all the time. So talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. If an overactive thyroid gland is the problem, you can usually manage it with drugs, surgery, or both.
