Hunger is your body’s natural signal that it needs more food. But is your body constantly asking for food?
If you are someone who starts looking for something more to eat right after you may have just had a meal, this is just for you! When your stomach is hungry, your stomach growls, you feel irritated and dizzy, and you may get a headache. Feeling hungry is not a problem, but if you’re feeling hungry all the time, even after having a meal then there may be something about your health which needs to be addressed.
And mind you, it becomes even more important to discuss it if you’re on a weight loss diet.
Dr Siddhant Bhargava shared an Instagram video in which he explained three main causes behind your constant hunger.
Here they are:
1. Your diet may be lacking in protein
Going on for long hours without a meal or not eating the right foods can also create those hunger pangs. But a diet lacking in protein is one of the leading causes of constant hunger for increased appetite.
Dr Bhargava says, “Protein stimulates a hormone called leptin that reduces hunger.” So if you are looking for ways to stop your hunger, just add adequate proteins to your diet.
Protein-rich foods includ e eggs, tuna, chickpeas, tofu, almond butter, greek yoghurt, lentils, peanut butter, pumpkin seeds and shrimps.
2. You are not sleeping well
Inadequate sleep can wreak havoc with your health in many ways. Therefore, for proper functioning of the body, getting adequate sleep is extremely important. “If you don’t get enough rest, your body tends to produce ghrelin which makes you feel hungry,” said Dr Bhargava. It is recommended to take seven to nine hours of sleep a day.
Check out Dr Bhargava’s Instagram post here:
4. Your diet may be lacking in fat and fibre
Fats and fibre lower the level of hunger hormones ghrelin and boost the level of leptin. But if your diet lacks healthy fibre and fats, you may feel hungry frequently.
According to Dr Bhargava, “The fat and fibres you consume slow down your digestion, thus making you feel full for longer. Remember that moderately slowed down digestion is not a bad thing.” So make sure you consume a diet which is rich in fibre and fats in order to control your hunger.
You can include nuts, olive oil, ground flax seeds, beans, avocado, berries, broccoli whole grain, dried fruits, popcorn and apples.
So be careful and maintain a healthy diet along with a good night’s sleep. And your constant hunger will go away.
