Are you constantly hungry for no apparent reason? It could simply be because you’re dehydrated or overdoing it at the gym. Or it could signal a health issue that needs to be addressed.
If you’re always hungry, regardless of how much or what type of food you eat, check out these nine reasons why.
You aren’t eating enough food early in the day
When you don’t eat enough early in the day, it can throw off your calorie intake for the rest of the day. Eating breakfast within 30 minutes to an hour after waking up is essential.
- You aren’t eating enough fiber
Fiber helps keep your blood sugar levels stable and keeps hunger at bay by slowing down digestion and making you feel fuller longer. A high-fiber diet has been shown to lower your body’s set point weight, making it easier to lose weight and keep it off.
- You’re not eating healthy fats
Healthy fats like those found in avocados, nuts and olive oil help fill you up and increase satiety so that you feel full longer after eating. They also keep blood sugar levels stable so that energy levels don’t dip too low between meals.
- You’re eating too much processed food
Processed food includes anything that’s been modified to extend its shelf life or change its texture or flavor. This includes everything from refined sugar to frozen dinners. Processed foods have been shown to have many negative effects on health, one of which is causing you to eat too much. Processed foods can cause you to eat more because they contain appetite-stimulating additives, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), and because they tend to lack fiber and protein.
- You’re stressed or anxious
Stress also causes your body to pump out more ghrelin and cortisol, leading to weight gain and overeating in both men and women. And stress makes you crave unhealthier food choices because your body needs more energy when it’s under stress to deal with whatever’s going on around you
