10 Reasons Why you’re Always Hungry

When you feel hungry, your stomach feels empty and at times, it will growl which is an embarrassing situation especially when you are in public. What most people don’t know is that hunger is a complicated situation influenced by both physical and biological factors. In addition, there are habits and health conditions that may contribute to this too.

The good news is that learning what makes you hungry even after consuming food can help you stop overeating, start losing weight and be nourished.

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The following are 10 reasons why you’re always hungry.

1.Increased stress levels

Stress can be brought about by several factors – failed relationships, marital problems, financial problems, stress at work and dealing with the death of a loved one. When one does don’t confront the cause(s) of his or her stress and finds a way to deal with the problem(s), the issue may trigger other things, for instance, insomnia, depression, and hunger.

When you are stressed, your body triggers the fight or flight response. As a result, cortisol is released. This hormone is known to trigger hunger hormones and also pulls lipids from your bloodstream to store them in your fat cells. This leaves you feeling hungry.

2.Lack of a good night sleep

It is recommended that an adult should at least sleep 8 hours every night. There are medical doctors who have suggested an increase of 1 hour or an hour and a half to ensure a good night sleep. A good night sleep has several benefits. First, you get to rest. Secondly, your energy is rejuvenated ready for tomorrow. Thirdly, it improves your focus and concentration.

When you don’t have a good night sleep, your body will alter hormones that control appetite regulation. As such, you will end up feeling hungry during the day. To solve this, adjust your sleeping habits – sleep and wake at the same time every day of the week.


Health nutritionists recommend that adults should consume 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. You will be surprised to know that not many people adhere to this. As a result, a vast majority of people are dehydrated even as they go about their duties. What you ought to know is that dehydration results in hunger.

To counter this, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Alternatively, you can eat fresh fruits such as watermelon and pineapples as they are rich in water that is naturally sweet.

4.Poor food choices

Today, there are several on-demand delivery services that deliver food, drinks, and groceries right to your doorstep. As a result, many people have ended up consuming foods not fit for their diet. This has contributed to hunger even after eating. Foods that may contribute to hunger include pastries, packaged meals, white bread and fast foods as they lack vital nutrients intended to nourish your body.

To keep hunger away, you should include the following foods in your diet – fish, lean meat, fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and dairy products. Why? These foods are rich in protein and fiber.


There are drugs prescribed by doctors to treat certain health conditions that may make you feel hungry than usual for instance, antihistamines and antidepressants. Other drugs include steroids, antipsychotic drugs and medication for diabetes.

It is important to consult your doctor beforehand and know the side effects of different drugs. If you continue using such drugs, you may end up gaining weight and this may contribute to other health conditions. Ask your doctor if there is medication without such a side effect.

6. Eating too quickly

What most people don’t know is that it takes 20 to 30 minutes for your stomach to communicate with your brain that you are full. If you were to consume your food in less than 5 minutes, you may end up eating more than your fill.

It is believed that hunger hormones act as relays between each other. Simply put, they communicate with each other by passing feelings of fullness before passing on the message to the brain. Since the system takes some time to work, consuming your meal in 5 minutes will result in you consuming more. To keep pangs of hunger away, take time when consuming your meals. Basically, savor it.


When you are pregnant you will surely feel the pangs of hunger more than usual. Well, it is a well-known fact that as a mother, you are eating for two. As a result, you will ensure that your baby gets enough nutrients to grow.

Pregnant women gain at least 6 pounds during the first trimester only. Thereafter, they may gain a pound a week during the second and third trimester. In such a situation, it is important to consume foods rich in nutrients – protein and fiber. Such foods include lean meat, fish, seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits among others.

8.You are tempted by food on your Instagram page

It may sound funny but when you keep looking at food images on your Instagram feed, your mind will start to visualize you eating the food. As a result, hunger hormones will be released in your body which will hasten digestion to free up room for the new food that you are now visualizing. Before you know it, pangs of hunger will be upon you.

Scientists have pointed out that ghrelin, a hunger hormone increases when we see food images. If you still want to look at the food images, do so before the appointed time to eat. Just remember, avoid channels that display images of unhealthy foods.

9.Skipping meals

It is a common misconception among many people especially those trying to lose weight that skipping meals will help with weight loss. What they don’t know is that skipping meals actually works in the opposite direction. Instead of losing weight, you will end up gaining more.

How? When you skip a meal, you deny your body not only vital nutrients but satisfaction as well. As a result, the next time you choose to eat, you will end up eating more than intended. In addition, when you don’t eat, your body depletes its glucose stores. This results in the production of hunger hormones which heighten your appetite.

Avoid skipping meals.

10.Working out

Exercising at the gym or in your home helps to heighten your metabolism. As a result, your body will need more calories to replenish your energy stores. This is because as you workout, food is converted into energy which needs to be replenished after a certain duration. To replenish your food stores, your body will release the hunger hormone, ghrelin.

To keep hunger away and ensure your muscles grow or are repaired after working out, consume foods rich in protein and fiber.