Our body needs food for energy. Considering that we spend energy even while sitting, food is really our fuel. Here, getting the right and quality fuel is important for body functioning. We must not forget that we are what we eat. Therefore, when we are hungry for a long time or cannot get enough energy throughout the day, it is normal to feel hungry at the end of the day to cover our energy needs. Meal planning and content need to be done correctly according to your needs. However, if we manage our eating style according to our emotional state or if there is a desire to eat even after a meal, it is necessary to evaluate different situations.
Here, it is necessary to question the source of hunger, distinguish between psychological and physiological hunger and plan according to its causes.
Some health problems. It may cause a feeling of hunger.
DIABETES
Your body converts the sugar in food into fuel called glucose. But when you have diabetes, glucose cannot reach your cells. Since your cells cannot access glucose, they try to meet your glucose needs by telling you to eat more.
People with type 1 diabetes, in particular, can eat large amounts of food and still lose weight.
In addition to an increase in your appetite, diabetes symptoms may include:
Extreme thirst
Needing to urinate more often
Unable to explain weight loss
Blurred vision
Cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal
Tingling or pain in your hands or feet
Fatigue
HYPOGLYCEMIA
Hypoglycemia is what you have when the glucose in your body drops to very low levels. This is a common concern for people with diabetes, but other health problems can also cause it. It can signal hepatitis, kidney disorders, neuroendocrine tumors in your pancreas and problems with your adrenal or pituitary glands.
In severe cases, people with hypoglycemia may appear light-headed. They may slur their words and have difficulty walking. Some of the other symptoms include:
Anxiety
Feeling like your heart is beating
Pale skin
Tremors
Sweating
Tingling around the mouth
INsomnia
Our biological clock, which we call circadian rhythm, is arranged according to the day and night cycle. Our body's hormone releases occur depending on this cycle. In case of insufficient sleep, our biological rhythm is disrupted. Not getting enough rest can negatively affect the hormones in your body that control hunger. People suffering from insomnia may have more appetite and have difficulty feeling full. Studies have shown that shift workers are more prone to weight problems. Additionally, when you are tired, you are more likely to crave high-fat, high-calorie foods, again due to hormone imbalance.
STRESS
Anxious or tense When you are sick, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This increases the feeling of hunger. Many people under stress also crave foods high in sugar, fat, or both to soothe themselves.
In any emotional event that affects us, we may take refuge in food, even if unknowingly. Being aware that this will give us a short-term feeling of relief, we must find solutions to the cause and use methods to control stress.
DIETARY
Not all foods fill you up the same way. Foods that will keep you full for a long time: protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, fish or dairy products, or fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. Adding these foods to meals will increase your satiety and allow you to have a balanced meal.
Pastries, white bread, many packaged meals and fast foods lack these nutrients but are high in fat and unhealthy carbohydrates. Although the consumption of these products provides a short-term feeling of fullness and satisfaction due to the imbalance in your blood sugar, it causes you to feel hungry again after a very short time. With its addictive effects, it pushes you to consume more and more.
Instead of eating quickly, chewing and enjoying your food makes you aware of what you eat. It will help you send satiety signals to your brain. This way, you will feel fuller.
PREGNANCY
You may notice an increase in your appetite during pregnancy, especially after the first trimester. This is a way to ensure that your body gets enough nutrients for the baby to grow. Increasing energy needs should be met, but not excessively. It should not be forgotten that excessive weight gain will negatively affect the baby.
THYROID PROBLEMS
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. It produces hormones that control the functioning of every organ in your body. We can say that the thyroid is the conductor of the orchestra. Too much or too little thyroid function can cause problems in the functioning of the systems.
Besides an enlarged thyroid gland, other symptoms of the problem include:
Rapid pulse
Feeling irritable
More sweat than usual
p>Muscle Weakness
Thirst even after drinking
THIRST (DEHYDRATION)
Are you hungry? are you thirsty? Sometimes thirst signals can be confused with hunger. It is very important to question water consumption when feeling hungry. It is also important to remember that we cannot burn fat without water.
Other symptoms of dehydration include:
Dizziness
Feeling tired
Less common pee or dark colored urine
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