Why You're Always Hungry
By Sara Butler
If you feel hungry all of the time, then chances are slim you can blame it on a tapeworm. In fact, there are a lot of other more common things that can trigger your hunger -- many of them you may not suspect as the culprit. Here are a few of the reasons you may feel the need to munch repeatedly.
You Miss Bedtime
If you don't go to bed at a reasonable time each night (reasonable meaning you get seven or more hours of sleep per night), then that may be the reason you feel so snacky all day. When you deprive yourself of needed sleep, then it messes with your levels of hunger-controlling hormones. Studies have found that losing sleep actually makes the chemicals that makes eating enjoyable surge, so you have a double-edged hunger sword to deal with when your brain wants you to keep eating for pleasure and the hormones that help you feel full are out of whack.
You Skip Out on Morning Protein
If your idea of a great breakfast involves more syrup than protein, then that may explain why you feel hungry shortly after breakfast. Researchers have found that people who eat breakfasts high in protein feel less hungry throughout the morning than people who don't. The high-protein morning people also ate fewer calories at lunch than those who opted for a plate full of pancakes or didn't have breakfast at all. The moral of the story? In the mornings, opt for protein above all else to help control your hunger all day.
You Don't Drink Enough Water
Believe it or not, being dehydrated can cause you to feel hungry. In fact, many people mistake thirst cues for hunger cues. That's why it's always a good idea to have a glass of water if you feel hungry but didn't eat too long ago. Give it about 15 minutes after you have a glass and then reevaluate if you're still hungry. If you still have hunger pangs, then go ahead and have a sensible snack.
You're Stressed
If you've noticed that you're more stressed than normal, then that might explain why you feel hungry all of the time. When you're stressed out, your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol and that can trigger the hunger hormones to take you on a snack-laden ride. Recognize if stress is causing your hunger issues and take steps to stop the stress.
Hunger is a tricky thing because feeling it doesn't always mean you need food. It's worth it to take the time to understand the signals your body is trying to send you to help you stay healthy and eat healthy, too.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Albuquerque, N.M.