One of the most complained about situations that we frequently encounter is the "feeling of being constantly hungry". “I eat enough, but I still feel hungry.” “I want chocolate dessert right after dinner.” etc. The sentences sound so familiar, don't they? Let's examine the reason…
Hunger is of two types; physical and emotional hunger. At some point, it may seem difficult to distinguish between an emotional appetite or the desire to eat caused by external factors (such as feeling hungry after smelling the smell of food while passing a favorite restaurant) and physical hunger.
The real reason for this is that the feelings are similar in both hunger situations and your response is the same: DON'T EAT! So, let's talk about why we feel hungry all the time.
Psychiatrist Susan McQuillan attributes the reason we constantly feel hungry, even if we are not really hungry, to 7 factors.
Your nutrition: If the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fat) you consume in your daily diet are below the required level, it is very normal to feel hungry. For this reason, you need to take care to get all the macronutrients your body needs.
Your Brain/Central Nervous System: Neurochemicals such as serotonin, which directly affects our mood in our brain, manage feelings of hunger/satiety. The glucose we get from carbohydrates increases serotonin, which in turn increases the production of the amino acid tryptophan. With the increase in tryptophan, hunger signals decrease and the level of satiety increases.
Hormones: Hormones that determine the hunger/satiety level, such as ghrelin and leptin hormones.
Your Environment: Having your addictive and favorite foods constantly available in your home and around you; It may cause you to have difficulty controlling your desires towards them.
Your Eating Habits: Adjusting your meal times and frequency according to the time periods when your body is really hungry. Eating less than necessary may cause hunger.
Your Health Problems: Health problems such as diabetes, low blood sugar, depression can cause increased appetite and the desire to eat more.
Your feelings: Increased appetite is frequently observed due to loneliness, anger, and boredom. It also causes stress and sadness A complete loss of appetite may also occur. This of course falls under the “Emotional Eating” section.
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