Do you get “HANGRY”?
You know what it feels like to be “hangry” if you’ve ever snapped at someone a few hours after your last meal.
“Hunger is a human instinct in response to the body’s need to find food and stay alive,” said Chrisanne Urban, a Marshfield Clinic registered dietitian.
Hangry, a mixture of the words hungry and angry, refers to people’s tendency to be short-tempered when they’re due for a meal.
Why do we get hangry?
Your brain depends on glucose from the food you eat to function well. Blood glucose levels drop as time passes since your last meal.
When blood glucose levels fall far enough, you’ll start to notice changes in your mood and mental function. You may have trouble concentrating, feel grumpy or find yourself unable to keep from snapping at friends and family.
Hormones also play a role in feeling hungry, Urban said. Ghrelin, the appetite-increasing hormone, plays a role in how quickly hunger comes back after you eat. Grehlin levels typically go down for three hours after a meal and then you’ll start to feel hungry again.
Brain scans of hungry people have shown lower levels of serotonin, a mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter. Low serotonin levels are linked to anger and aggression.
Simple hanger solutions
Curing hanger is as easy as eating a snack.
Unfortunately, you may find yourself reaching for chips and candy when you’re hungry and grumpy. You’ll feel better for a while after eating these snacks, but you’ll be hangry again soon.
Reach for fruit, nuts or whole-grain carbs instead to boost serotonin and keep you full longer. Better yet, don’t let your hunger turn to hanger.
These healthful eating tips from Urban will prevent you from feeling hangry:
- Don’t skip meals. Eat reasonable portions throughout the day.
- Meal plan so you don’t find bare shelves when you start feeling hungry.
- Carry healthful snacks. A combination of fiber and protein will help you feel full and prevent hanger.
- Avoid crash diets. They don’t work and may leave you feeling hungry. Eat a balanced diet of more whole and fresh foods instead.
This article is part of the “Central to Your Health” series produced by Marshfield Clinic. To find more stories like this, visit Shine365 at Marshfield Clinic.
I don’t know about you but I definitley get “Hangry” sometimes so I always have to make sure I have snacks with me. I actually store little snacks in my car and work back just in case I need them. I don’t want to get stuck somewhere unprepared. I don’t enjoy that “Hangry” feeling and neither do those around me 🙂
Cathy Bowers, RD
cbowers@nutritionforalifetime.biz
Recent Posts
- Tips for Meal Planning on a Budget
- The 3,500 Calorie per Pound Rule Is Wrong
- Never Too Late to Start Eating Healthier
- The Actual Benefit of Diet vs. Drugs
- Why Is Meat a Risk Factor for Diabetes?
Recent Comments
- Cathy Bowers on The 3,500 Calorie per Pound Rule Is Wrong
- Jack on The 3,500 Calorie per Pound Rule Is Wrong
- Cathy Bowers on Top 5 Herbs and Spices
- Jeannine Bennett on Top 5 Herbs and Spices
- Health Benefits of Herbs on One of my “FAVORITE” snacks!
Archives
- September 2020
- January 2020
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
Categories
Meta
Recent Posts
- Tips for Meal Planning on a Budget
- The 3,500 Calorie per Pound Rule Is Wrong
- Never Too Late to Start Eating Healthier
- The Actual Benefit of Diet vs. Drugs
- Why Is Meat a Risk Factor for Diabetes?
Recent Comments
- Cathy Bowers on The 3,500 Calorie per Pound Rule Is Wrong
- Jack on The 3,500 Calorie per Pound Rule Is Wrong
- Cathy Bowers on Top 5 Herbs and Spices
- Jeannine Bennett on Top 5 Herbs and Spices
- Health Benefits of Herbs on One of my “FAVORITE” snacks!
Archives
- September 2020
- January 2020
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016