Why Are You Hungry All The Time?
By Sara Butler
Hunger has its ups and downs. At times, it can serve as a great reminder that it's time to eat. Your autonomic nervous system is kicking in and doing its job to help you know when it's time to get a little food in you. However, sometimes you can be hungry for what seems like no good reason, especially if you've eaten recently. Here are some of the reasons why you may feel as if you're hungry all the time.
You Don't Eat Enough
The simplest answer may be the most obvious one -- you're not eating enough. If you feel constantly hungry, then think about if you're getting enough calories for your daily activity level each day. And remember, hunger isn't always just a rumbly tummy, it can also lead to feeling dizzy, finding it difficult to concentrate, or simply feeling tired all the time.
You May Not Be Eating Enough of the Right Stuff
One reason you may feel hungry more than normal is if you're not eating enough of certain nutrients, namely fiber and protein. The bottom line is that not all types of nutrients have the same impact on feeling satisfied after you eat.
If you want to try to feel fuller for longer, then you should try eating snacks and meals high in protein and fiber. These will leave you feeling satisfied and take longer for your body to digest.
You Are a Distracted Eater
If you're grabbing food on the go and using your lunchtime as a time to rush around or scroll through social media, then that can explain why you may be hungry a lot. Your body has a much more difficult time knowing when it's had enough to keep you satisfied if you quickly gobble down your food instead of eating mindfully.
Slow down, take sips of water between bites, and think about what you're eating as you do it. That can help you to be present when eating. Hopefully, that will help you to feel fuller for longer and make you less hungry between meals.
You Aren't Drinking Enough Water
If you're dehydrated, then you may notice that you feel hungry when you shouldn't. That's because many people often confuse the feeling of craving hydration with the feeling of being hungry. You should drink a glass of water and then wait 15 minutes. If you're still hungry, then you probably really are. If you're not, then that's a good sign that you need to drink more.
If you know you're hungry more than you should be, then take steps to figure out why and fix it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.