7 Real Reasons You’re Always Hungry

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It is generally accepted that eating is one of the functions of living things, however, when it is observed that an individual keeps sending down all that comes across his way into his stomach, then there’s more to it. “Hunger is the physiological need for calories, water and salt, and it’s driven by a mix of factors, including your diet, appetite hormones and emotional factors, such as stress,” says Maggie Moon, RD, a Los Angeles-based nutritionist and owner of Everyday Healthy Eating. These 7 things will help explain why your belly’s been growling.

You’re dehydrated

According to the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, dehydration is often masked as feelings of hunger, when really your body just needs fluids.

To prevent this development, you need to increase your fluid intake, starting with a glass of water first thing in the morning.

You’re a restless sleeper

Lack of shuteye on a regular basis makes you ravenous for another reason. After poor sleep, you’re more likely to have serious fatigue and brain fog. Your system, desperate for a shot of energy, triggers cravings for sugar carbs, even if you’re not actually hungry. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, and you’ll get your energy level and hunger hormones back on track.

You load up on starchy carbs

Its observed that simple carbs, the kind found in sugary, white flour foods like pastries, crackers and cookies, spike your blood sugar levels quickly, then leave them plunging soon after. That blood sugar plunge causes intense hunger for more sugary carbs and the cycle continues. Get your carb fix with the complex, filling kind that contains lots of fiber.

You’re a stress case

Again, different individuals have attested to it that stress has a sneakier way of making you voracious. When you’re tense, your system ramps up production of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

It is also noted that elevated levels of these hormones trick your system into thinking it’s under attack and needs energy, so your appetite starts raging.

You drink too much alcohol

That pre-dinner cocktail or glass of wine meant to whet your appetite before dinner actually does just that, stimulating a feeling of hunger even if your stomach is full, says Moon. According to a study published in the journal Appetite, findings revealed that people were more likely to consume foods higher in calories after drinking alcohol. Since booze dehydrates, it has the tendency to has to trick people into thinking they need food when your body is really calling for water. So watch out for this reaction in your body.

You need to eat more protein

It may sound incredible but studies have also shown that protein has appetite-suppressing effect. Thus, stock-pilling your plate with more protein will reduce your hunger pangs.

You skip meals

Again if you have the habit of ghosting your breakfast and other meals, then you are more likely to increase your hunger hormone “Ghrelin”, which subsequently cause a rise in appetite.