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Minchen also notes that the breakdown of muscles during exercise creates a desire for food. Exercise, particularly a strenuous or cardio-filled physical activity, uses calories and nutrients to adequately fuel our bodies, which can lead to hunger. RELATED: 5 Signs You're More Exhausted Than You Realize-Plus Easy Ways to Get Rested You just worked out.įollowing an intense run or boot camp class, you count down the minutes until you can replenish yourself with a yummy snack or meal. Generally, people can begin to feel hungry three to five hours after they last ate, but it can be longer if they previously consumed a substantial meal. According to Minchen, the length of time it takes for someone to feel the discomfort due to hunger can vary, as it depends on several factors. If you notice you feel sluggish or tired when you haven't eaten, that's your body's natural response to preserving energy. The most obvious reason your tummy is encouraging you to feed it? You haven't had food in a while! "A lack of food over time causes the body to become hungry, which includes discomfort in the midsection, and a feeling of weakness from lack of nutrition," explains Lauren Minchen, MPH, RDN, CDN, a nutrition consultant for Freshbit. Keep reading for details on common reasons why you may be hungry. And because our bodies are smart and complex, it will let us know when to enjoy a meal. Typical Reasons to Be HungryĪs Groux put it, food is fuel, and our body needs it. In this 101 guide, we chatted with experts to better understand hunger and the science behind it. In fact, you could eat more than you need and still wonder, 'Why am I always hungry?' There are many different reasons why you might be frequently hungry-including some typical hunger causes as well as some worrisome ones. However, sometimes this process doesn't go exactly as planned. RELATED: 6 Foods That Help Keep Your Hormones in Balance While ghrelin increases before meals and drops after eating, leptin-another hormone made in fat cells-informs the brain that it has adequate energy and no need to consume any other food. Once the tank is empty, the body needs replenishment," she explains.įrom a biological standpoint, our bodies produce a hormone called ghrelin in our stomachs to signal the brain that the body needs food. "Just like a car needs gas to function, our bodies require food to create energy to survive and thrive. Hunger, by definition, is a physiological need for nutrients to provide fuel for your body, notes Risa Groux, CN, a functional nutritionist. You know this sensation all too well: You're starving, and it's time to eat. Your stomach growls, you feel shaky, and you may feel on edge.
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