Top 8 reasons why you always feel hungry

Have you ever finished a big meal, only to find yourself hungry again shortly after? 

Hunger is the body's way of letting us know it's time to refuel! In an ideal world, hunger strikes only every few hours and we are satisfied in between. If you can't relate to that, don't worry - you're not alone. From time to time, it can feel as if we are always constantly hungry, even shortly after eating. In this blog we're shining light on the top 8 reasons you always feel hungry, and how to combat them.

There are a few common culprits that can be responsible for this constant hunger, and good news!, with just a few easy changes you can say goodbye to cravings and those uncomfortable hunger pangs for good!

Why am I always hungry?

Lack of protein:

The number one reason for feeling constant hunger is not getting enough protein. Protein regulates hunger hormones and has been shown to boost metabolism due to its filling properties, helping us to feel full, with less food and helping to keep cravings under control.

Too many processed carbohydrates:

Highly processed and low in nutrients, refined carbohydrates lack fiber and are digested rapidly by the body, leading to more hunger shortly after eating. Although they are convenient and designed to trigger the feel good hormones in our brain, they fall short on nutrients and lead to more hunger and cravings. These types of food choices also cause our blood sugar to spike and crash, which leads to the body thinking it needs more food, promoting that feeling of excessive hunger. 

Lack of sleep:

Sleep deprivation can lead to food cravings. Sleep helps to regulate hunger hormones and is also beneficial to our overall digestive health. Lack of sleep has also been shown to increase stress hormones that contribute to unwanted weight gain. Poor sleep can lead to poor food choices and increased calorie consumption the next day. Most adults need at least 8 hours of quality sleep to feel their best. 

Low fiber:

Along with its many other health benefits, fiber intake is so important when it comes to appetite control. Fiber is digested slowly and helps to satisfy hunger. A diet high in fiber has been shown to increase the fullness hormone, while decreasing hunger hormones. Fiber also feeds the good bacteria in the gut, important for healthy digestion. 

Eating too fast:

Excessive hunger can be caused by eating too quickly. It takes approximately 20 minutes or more for the brain to send out the fullness signal. Eating at a slower pace has been shown to also result in consuming less calories, as well as helping the body to remain fuller, longer. Studies have shown that those who eat their meals fast, feel more hungry and have more issues with their weight and obesity. Try placing your fork down in between bites, it sounds so simple, but it helps to slow down the pace and allows you to enjoy each bite. 

Not drinking enough water:

Thirst can easily be mistaken for hunger. Not getting enough water can lead to feelings of being hungry. Drinking a glass of water before a meal has been shown to reduce appetite and prevent overeating. Next time you’re feeling snacky, try drinking a glass of water, and see how you feel. It may have just been thirst fueling those cravings. 

Consuming alcohol:

Consuming alcohol has been shown to decrease fullness hormones. This can cause us to feel hungry often after a few drinks. Alcohol also tends to affect our food choices, causing us to lean toward fried, fatty and salty foods. This leads to consuming more calories, especially when alcohol is paired with a meal. 

Following an overly restrictive diet:

Restricting ourselves and not consuming enough important calories can also lead to feelings of hunger, because we are simply not eating enough. We’ve all tried those diets, we cut out what seems like everything we love, our minds made up that this time we are sticking to it! Every meal feels like endless green salads and chicken breast. The first few days are easy, but the problem with these diets is they are not sustainable. Over restricting ourselves leads us to feel deprived and overwhelmed and results in throwing in the towel completely. No one should have to sacrifice the foods they love, or their goals. Our recipe section is jam packed with healthy versions of all of the familiar favourites we love, without any of the bad stuff. Each recipe is designed to be healthy, filling and delicious. Healthy cheesecake? Yes please!

The takeaway:

We hope this blog post helps give you some insight into why you may be feeling hungry, even after eating. These easy changes can make a huge difference! Increase your water intake and embrace bedtime. Slow down at meal time and enjoy the experience. Increase protein and fiber.

Trying to meet daily protein goals can often feel like a real challenge. Both Nutralean and NutraVegan prebiotic proteins contain healthy amounts of protein and prebiotic fiber, making it easy to give your body the fuel it needs. Blend a perfect shake, or simply add it to your favourite foods to boost the protein and fiber and say goodbye to cravings and hunger! Find out more about the power of protein here. 

Do you have a favorite hack for curbing hunger and cravings? We would love to hear it! Let us know at hello@nutracelle.com. 

Thanks for reading!

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