Are you concerned about the fact that you are still hungry even after you just ate?

There may be instances in your daily life wherein you might feel famished even though you just completed a meal.

It may seem confusing to you at that point. Truth be told, there might be underlying factors and reasons that might be causing your untimely hunger. 

Headaches, stomach aches, nausea and irritability may be an issue if the situation isn’t resolved any time soon. 

To determine what’s causing you to feel that way, pay very close attention to your daily habits read further to learn more.

Hunger is basically your body’s way of saying that it needs nutrition. Feeling hungry even after eating is something that a lot of people face.

Why Does my Stomach Feel Empty Even Though I Ate?

Untimely hunger may be caused due to various underlying factors like diet, hormones or exercise. It may also depend on your protein, fiber or fat intake. 

External factors causing stress and dehydration may also be contributing factors to your empty stomach.

What are the Possible Causes Behind Your Untimely Hunger?

There can be a plethora of reasons why you have been feeling hungry even after a fulfilling meal. Let us check out some of the most probable explanations!

Composition of the Meal

The nutritional composition of your meal is a very important factor to be considered in order to determine why you might feel hungry even though you ate. 

Recent studies have revealed that a specific portion of proteins could provide you with more energy and nutrition than a specific portion of carbohydrates or fats. 

Moreover, high protein meals can help you by triggering the release of essential fullness hormones like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK), and peptide YY (PYY) (4, 5, 6).

You may also feel hungrier if your diet doesn’t consist of enough fiber. Fiber takes longer for the stomach to digest therefore it keeps the sensation of hunger away for prolonged periods of time. 

Moreover, they trigger appetite-suppressing hormones like GLP-1 and PYY. 

Examples of high protein sources are chicken breast, lean beef, turkey, and shrimp. Examples of high fiber sources are fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. 

Therefore, try incorporating more fiber and protein sources in your diet to counteract the feeling of being hungry.

Stretch Receptors

Stretch Receptors are responsible for providing the feeling of fullness during and after the consumption of a meal. 

They detect the amount of expansion of the stomach and then send signals to the brain to induce a feeling of fullness. The nutritional value of the diet doesn’t matter in this case. 

However, the quantity of the food does matter in this case. Please keep in mind that they do not promote long-term effects of fullness, the effects are fairly short-lived and for a shorter time period. 

Therefore, try incorporating diets that are low in calories and more in quantity. 

Examples of these kinds of sources are: fresh vegetables, fruits, air-popped popcorn, shrimp, chicken breast, and turkey.

Leptin Resistance

Leptin’s main role is the long-term regulation of energy and that also includes calorie consumption and the burning of calories.

 It is also responsible for the storage of fat. Its area of target is an area of the brain called the hypothalamus.

 It is the main hormone that signals the feeling of fullness. It is made of fat cells and promotes a feeling of fullness. 

This resistance is mainly found in people who suffer from obesity and this causes their brain to react differently to Leptin.

To put it simply the brain fails to recognize the excess Leptin in the system and still continues to think that the body is hungry and requires more nutrition.

Studies reveal that regular physical activity, reducing sugar intake, increasing fiber intake, and getting adequate sleep are effective in reducing Leptin resistance.

 However, it would be best to consult a physician for an effective control measure.

Behavioral and Lifestyle Factors That Lead to Extra Cravings

Distractions

 A lot of researchers have noticed while conducting studies that people who eat while being distracted tend to feel more hungry even after eating a full meal. 

This in turn makes them consume more food throughout the day. Therefore try to minimize distractions and try to be mindful while eating your meals. 

This process includes switching off TVs, electronics or keeping books away during meal times.

Speed of Consumption of Food

Studies have revealed that a faster consumption rate causes more consumption of food and makes the person feel even more full.

 The lack of awareness of chewing is very detrimental in this case. Therefore, if you are a fast eater or a fast chewer try chewing slowly or try being aware of what you eat.

Stress

 Stress triggers the release of cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol increase the feeling of hunger and cravings. 

Therefore, if you are in a constant state of stress you can try meditation or yoga to reduce your stress level.

Over Exercising

Overexercising causes your body to lose a lot of energy and increases your metabolism. 

This in turn causes hunger and cravings. In this case, you should try consuming more nutritious food.

Inadequate Sleep

Inadequate sleep will cause a lot of problems with the regulation of hormones such as ghrelin(a higher rate of ghrelin is generally observed in a sleep-deprived body). 

Try to limit your use of phone and TV before bed. This will help you become settled faster and easier for a good night of sleep.

Inadequate Amount of Food

There are chances where you might not be consuming enough food which might cause you to feel hungry. 

Therefore, try eating a balanced meal that covers all of your body’s nutrient requirements.

Insulin Resistance and High Blood Sugar

Insulin resistance and high levels of blood sugar can be a contributing factor when it comes to the increase of your hunger and appetite. 

Therefore try limiting food that increases blood sugar levels and that includes food like higher-fat cuts of meat.

Such as ribs, pork, bacon, fried meats, regular cheese, deep-fried fish, poultry with skin, deep-fried tofu.

Conclusion

Appetite imbalance and untimely cravings are not uncommon among people. 

By determining the true cause of the problem you too can relieve yourself from hunger pangs and discomfort.

Considering the lifestyle changes, it is only natural if you’ve fallen a prey to untimely cravings as well.

 Try the above-mentioned suggestions and if they fail to solve your problem, try visiting a physician.

There might be an underlying problem that you might be failing to recognize.

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