Causes of eternal hunger. How to get rid of the constant feeling of hunger, even after eating. What to do with the constant desire to eat

Often, a constant feeling of hunger becomes an insurmountable obstacle in the difficult struggle with excess weight. To ensure a comfortable weight loss process, you simply need to get rid of it. To this end, it is important to understand why a constant feeling of hunger occurs. This feeling is considered organic. It becomes the result of stimulation of the food center located in the brain. The place of its projection is the stomach area. In this case, a characteristic suction in the pit of the stomach is observed. During the period of aggravation of this feeling, a person is simply unable to think about anything other than food. However, it is important to understand that a constant feeling of hunger is not always an indicator of weak will. It often happens that the problem develops under the influence of external stimuli.

Fighting methods

If people are plagued by a constant feeling of hunger after eating, diet often seems to them the only way out. And if it is low-carb, then the opposite effect is observed. This is explained by a decrease in the level of serotonin, an element directly involved in appetite control. To solve the problem, it is recommended to enrich the diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits, as well as grains.

Why do we always want to eat?

Some people, without even realizing it, independently provoke a constant feeling of hunger. The only thing left for them to get rid of the obsessive desire is to eat their fill. They perceive hunger as a signal that it is time to eat. However, often this feeling is evidence that some kind of malfunction has occurred in the functioning of the body. Let's take a closer look at the reasons for the constant feeling of hunger.

Alcohol abuse

Consider the fact that alcohol can greatly increase your appetite. No one denies that drinking a little dry red wine with dinner is even beneficial, but if you notice that after drinking it you feel especially hungry, give it up.

Seizing problems

An important factor that provokes systematic overeating is stress. People suffering from it are often convinced that eating sweets, dumplings or cutlets can ease their emotional distress. It is important to realize that this is self-deception. This behavior will not lead to the disappearance of problems, but to the appearance of another one - excess weight. The reason for an increase in appetite can be not only stress, but also a quiet life. This situation is often observed when a happily married woman takes the path of constant weight gain. It is recommended that pregnant women pay special attention to their diet. The constant feeling of hunger during pregnancy is explained by altered hormonal levels. In such a situation, it is important to distinguish between meals in order to provide the mother and child with nutrients and simple gluttony.

Watching TV for a long time

As a rule, when an interesting film starts, your hands naturally reach for the refrigerator. And most often the choice is far from coleslaw. Favorite treats while watching an interesting program or movie are ice cream, chips, crackers.

Lack of sleep

Numerous experiments have shown that lack of sleep leads to a constant feeling of hunger. It comes soon after eating and becomes more and more intrusive. And if you get less than seven hours of rest at night, you will undoubtedly crave something tasty all the time. This is explained simply: regular lack of sleep causes a decrease in the production of leptin, a hormone produced in adipose tissue and responsible for controlling appetite. The lack of this element causes a craving for eating foods rich in starch, as well as for sweets.

Refusal of the first meal

Not having breakfast is harmful. No wonder this morning meal is considered the main one. It is responsible for activating metabolism and saturating the body with much-needed energy. People who feel hungry and lethargic all day probably don't eat breakfast. Take into account the fact that if you skip this meal, it will be very difficult to refuse a large dinner. The latter will not bring any health benefits and will negatively affect your figure.

There's no need to rush

Why do people who eat quickly feel a constant feeling of hunger? Because they simply swallow food, but in order to really get enough, you need to enjoy every dish and chew all the pieces thoroughly. The signal that the stomach is full reaches the brain only a few minutes after eating. Food that is poorly chewed takes a long time to digest and puts a strain on the digestive system. Intestinal problems arise, a constant feeling of hunger develops, and nausea often makes itself felt.

Constant overload

If you're literally burning out at work, it's no wonder your hunger doesn't go away even after eating. The fact is that with increased physical and mental stress, the body requires nourishing food. With this in mind, you cook meat with potatoes or pasta for dinner. However, such a food habit cannot be called correct. It is best to prepare a vegetable salad as a side dish. You will be surprised, but hunger will stop haunting you after such a seemingly light dinner.

Passion for “diet” sugary drinks

Indeed, cola marked “light” does not contain calories, but it can increase appetite. If you really want this harmful drink, it’s better to buy its regular variety.

Alternative causes of constant hunger

Pay attention to what you eat. Often, fatty fried meats that seem so filling only make the problem worse. To achieve the long-awaited saturation, the portions are increasing more and more. Ultimately, surgery is used to reduce the volume of the stomach.

As some nutritionists note, not only the food consumed plays an important role, but also what it is prepared with. Sunflower oil often provokes insatiable hunger. Try switching to olive oil or start steaming only.

If you eat exclusively boiled potatoes, beets, carrots and other vegetables for several days, you can restore your feeling of fullness. In addition, avoiding salt, seasonings, and sauces will help get rid of the feeling of hunger even after eating.

It is possible that the existing problem is a consequence of disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. As a rule, the desire to snack even after a heavy dinner is observed in those who suffer from ulcers or gastritis. In this case, it is necessary to address the root cause. By restoring your health, you will regain your feeling of fullness after eating.

If the body lacks glucose, a person experiences a constant feeling of hunger, i.e. When blood glucose levels drop, appetite increases. When the sugar rises, this feeling disappears.

Sugar receptors (indicators) send signals to the hypothalamus about its level in the blood. The hypothalamus is located in the central part of the brain. In it, the received data is processed and then transmitted to the saturation center, which regulates appetite with the help of two types of hormones.

One type contains substances that, having received information, reduce metabolic processes, the other contains substances that increase metabolism and reduce appetite.

Not the last role is assigned to insulin. This hormone is constantly synthesized by the pancreas, which releases it if the glucose level is required to increase.

Canadian scientists have found that the desire to eat is caused by the hormone neuropeptide Y, produced by the hypothalamus and fat cells.

Researchers need to confirm that it works as a hypothalamic, but until now they have not done so. But, according to domestic sources, a vicious circle is being formed, i.e. The compounds that cause this feeling are produced in greater quantities as fat accumulates.

Nowadays, we can say that the mechanisms of control of satiety and feelings of hunger have not been studied enough, so the reasons that make you feel a constant feeling of hunger can be talked about as possible.

Excessive consumption of sweets is the main one.

Sweet foods contain refined carbohydrates, which lead to a sharp increase in blood glucose levels and an equally sharp drop. A person who wants to constantly eat is forced to snack, which leads to weight gain, hormonal imbalance, etc. The only correct way out of this situation is proper nutrition, which should be switched to immediately.

Proper nutrition can prevent “glucose surges” by normalizing digestive functions. To overcome sweet cravings, it is recommended to eat fruits containing safe sugars: apples, peaches, plums, etc.

Does diet affect the constant feeling of hunger?

When the interval between meals is more than 5 hours, people constantly feel hungry. A person who ignores the body's nutritional needs, i.e. receiving energy in the active phase (day), loading himself up with activities and forgetting to eat during the day, in the evening, when activity subsides, he cannot resist his instincts, and eats everything in a row, trying to make up for the daily lack of food. Constantly eating huge portions at night is fraught with an increase in body weight and a constant feeling of hunger.

Nutritionists around the world are unanimous in the opinion that for normal functioning the body requires portioned nutrition, which the body must constantly receive, at least 4 times a day.

Insufficient rest and disruption of nighttime sleep patterns are the cause of constant hunger.

In the complex physiological system that is the human body, hormonal levels play an important role. Hormones constantly control its functioning, including appetite. The satiety hormone ghrelin is responsible for increasing appetite and is produced in the stomach when it is empty. The hunger hormone leptin, produced by fat cells, reduces appetite if its level increases.

When a person consistently spends little time sleeping, he feels drowsiness caused by decreased leptin levels and increased ghrelin levels. This imbalance leads to a rapid increase in appetite, so even immediately after eating, you are tormented by the feeling of a constant desire to eat. To normalize the balance of hormones, and therefore get rid of the constant feeling of hunger, it is recommended to get a good night's sleep, and then adhere to the above recommendations.

The paradox associated with pregnancy

Women are well acquainted with the constant feeling of hunger that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy (men know about it firsthand). Everything here is easily explained: the growing organism inside the expectant mother needs nutrients and vitamins, so the amount of food the mother eats increases. The body helps to “maintain” a balance that meets the needs of the unborn baby.

In addition, in the first half of pregnancy, women suffer from toxicosis. The condition is explained by the fact that: the food eaten is poorly digested, causing nausea, vomiting, sometimes even “uncontrollable” (then pregnant women are hospitalized).

But, even if the constant increased appetite of pregnant women is considered the norm, food intake cannot but be controlled, since excessive weight gain can provoke diseases in expectant mothers, and may already be a sign of their manifestation: low hemoglobin (anemia), etc.

Weight gain is constantly monitored by a gynecologist and expectant mothers, for whom an individual menu is drawn up, including foods rich in minerals and vitamins.

Other reasons leading to a constant feeling of hunger

Hunger is controlled by many factors: the level of insulin in the blood, the amount of nutrients supplied by food, signals sent by stomach cells, hormones and lipids entering the brain to the hunger center, i.e. control is carried out by a coherent system.

In the light of recent research, a constant feeling of hunger, sometimes appearing immediately after eating, is caused by a failure of the control mechanism.

Causes of constant hunger that occurs after eating:

Fast “absorption” of food. It does not allow the saturation center to “catch” the signal of satiety, that is, by the time it arrives at the center, the person’s state can be characterized as a “feeling of overeating.” This happens when watching TV shows, i.e. when the work of the brain is aimed at remembering the transmitted information and is “distracted” from determining the moment of “fullness”. The brain cannot determine in time that enough food has been eaten, so it continues to send signals to the brain about insufficient saturation. This is called the psychological component of food.

A constant feeling of hunger is associated with taking drugs and alcohol.

Constant stress. Neurophysiologists state that the role of ghrelin extends further. It is released during emotional fatigue that is chronic in nature.

The following recommendations help keep the constant biological feeling of not being full under control:

Food throughout the day should be consumed in small portions.
It must be chewed thoroughly to maintain optimal glucose levels, thereby reducing the intensity of hunger.
Include complex carbohydrates (fruits) and protein foods in the menu, reducing the intake of fatty foods.
Use dishes (plates) in soothing colors and smaller than usual sizes to visually enlarge a small portion.
Maintain parallel diet and rest schedules.

If you follow the advice, you can really overcome the constant feeling of hunger in a short time.

Video: How to overcome constant hunger?

Hunger is a feeling of the body’s natural physiological need to eat food. The feeling of hunger is regulated by the so-called food center, which is a set of structures of the central nervous system responsible for regulating food choice and intake. The food center consists of two main areas responsible for the formation of feelings of hunger and appetite: the “satiety center” located in the ventromedial part of the hypothalamus, as well as the “hunger center” located in the lateral part. Due to the effect of metabolic products, hormones, and other biologically active substances on the hypothalamic section of the food center, alternating feelings of hunger and satiety occur.

The formation of feelings of hunger and satiety are more complex processes than is commonly believed, since they are on the periphery of a person’s physiology and mental state. Scientists have found that the formation of a feeling of hunger is provoked not only by physiological factors. The formation of a feeling of hunger is also influenced by a person’s psycho-emotional state. In turn, the feeling of satiety is formed not only by the feeling of a full stomach, but also by the feeling of pleasure from eating. The food center receives information about the saturation of the body in two ways: by nerve impulses emanating from the gastrointestinal tract, and also by the level of substances contained in the blood. The nutrition center monitors the body’s condition based on the level of glucose, amino acids, and fat breakdown products.

A constant feeling of hunger can be a symptom of a digestive disorder such as pathological hyperrexia - a constant feeling of hunger that does not correspond to the body’s physiological need for food. Hyperrexia is typical for patients suffering from the following diseases:

stomach ulcers;
chronic gastritis with gastric hypersecretion;
diabetes;
hyperthyroidism.

Constant feeling of hunger: causes, ways to eliminate constant feeling of hunger

The main reasons for constant hunger are:

Increased mental activity;
Excessive energy consumption as a result of intense physical activity;
Malnutrition;
Thirst;
State of stress and depression;
Hormonal imbalances, menstrual cycle disorders, the menstrual cycle itself;
Psychological dependence syndrome on food.

One of the likely causes of a constant feeling of hunger is poor nutrition, in which the body feels a deficiency of vital elements: fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fiber, microelements.

A constant feeling of hunger, the causes of which lie in regular increased mental activity, can be easily corrected by increasing the level of glucose in the blood. In this case, a constant feeling of hunger is provoked by the need of the brain, and not by the physiological need of the whole body. Other foods consumed to saturate the body with such a feeling of hunger will be ineffective. Without receiving sufficient glucose levels, the body will soon “demand” a new portion of food to replenish the missing elements. The best sources of glucose for the brain in this case will be starchy carbohydrates: rice, bread, other grain products, nuts, beans, potatoes, corn.

A constant feeling of hunger, the causes of which are psychological factors, is difficult to satisfy with regular meals. When identifying the dependence of a constant feeling of hunger on the psychological state, it is necessary first of all to eliminate the causes that provoke the hunger reflex.

During intense physical activity, the main sources of energy for the body are triglycerides (fats), glycogen and glucose, to replenish which the body needs low-calorie foods high in proteins and carbohydrates: boiled chicken, baked fish.

Elementary thirst can provoke a feeling of hunger, which can be quenched by a glass of still water that does not contain sugar.

The constant feeling of hunger is also influenced by the level of hormones produced by various body systems. These include:

hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary system (thyrotropin-releasing hormone, neurotensin, corticoliberin);
sex hormones (estrogens, androgens);
thyroid hormones (thyroxine, calcitonin, triiodothyronine);
pancreatic hormones (insulin, pancreatic polypeptide, glucogan).

Fluctuations in hormonal levels during the menstrual cycle in women explain the constant feeling of hunger, the dissatisfaction of which is characterized by irritability, depression, and feelings of dissatisfaction.

Constant feeling of hunger and nausea

Often, a constant feeling of hunger and nausea are symptoms of various diseases, one of which is hypoglycemia - a pathological condition characterized by a decrease in the concentration of glucose in the blood, resulting in the development of hypoglycemic syndrome. Depending on the severity of hypoglycemia, various treatment methods are used.

In some cases, a constant feeling of hunger and nausea may be the first signs of pregnancy that a woman feels even before the fact of pregnancy is established. If you feel a constant feeling of hunger and nausea, you need to undergo a full examination to identify the relationship between symptoms, as well as make an accurate diagnosis.

Constant feeling of hunger during pregnancy

A constant feeling of hunger during pregnancy is common to many women. During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes certain changes. The formation of feelings of hunger during pregnancy is influenced by hormonal levels and stressful conditions. Often, a constant feeling of hunger during pregnancy can be a signal of a lack of some vital elements: iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamins.

Hunger attacks during pregnancy are not considered a deviation from the norm. During this period, it is important for a woman to follow a balanced diet enriched with vitamins, iron, and other micro- and macroelements. It should also be remembered that uncontrolled satisfaction of hunger can lead to significant weight gain, which, in turn, can negatively affect the condition of the body.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Fighting methods

Why do we always want to eat?

Alcohol abuse

Seizing problems

Watching TV for a long time

Lack of sleep

Refusal of the first meal

There's no need to rush

Constant overload

Passion for “diet” sugary drinks

Indeed, cola marked “light” does not contain calories, but it can increase appetite. If you really want this harmful drink, it’s better to buy its regular variety.

Alternative causes of constant hunger

A constant feeling of hunger may indicate both the presence of a disease and an incorrect lifestyle leading to this phenomenon. Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of constant hunger. Nature has built into the human brain many functions that help remove waste products, monitor sleep, and prevent starvation.

Center in the brain

The center responsible for nutrition is located in the cerebral cortex. It is in connection with the digestive organs, carried out using nerve endings, and allows you to control the feeling of hunger. The nutrition center is divided into two sections, one of which is responsible for satiety and is located in the hypothalamus, and the other is responsible for hunger and is located in the lateral sector. Thanks to these areas, the brain receives a signal about a lack of energy and nutrients, as well as about saturation. What could be causing the constant feeling of hunger?

Ways to receive a signal

The brain center responsible for nutrition receives information about sufficient food intake in the body in two ways:

1. Through signals transmitted by nerve endings emanating from the gastrointestinal tract.

2. By processing information about the amount of nutrients entering the body with food, namely amino acids, glucose, fats, etc.

Causes of constant hunger

The reasons for the constant feeling of hunger even after eating can be of a very different nature. The main ones are:

1. Hyperrexia. This is a condition when the patient constantly feels hungry, although the body does not need to replenish nutrients.

2. Hyperthyroidism, manifested by increased synthesis of enzymes produced by the thyroid gland.

3. Diabetes mellitus. Patients with this pathology experience a constant feeling of hunger very often.

4. Stomach pathologies, such as peptic ulcer or gastritis with high acidity.

5. Psychological addiction to food.

6. Intense mental stress, for example, during a session among students.

7. Failure in the hormonal balance of the body.

8. Intense physical activity, which provokes large-scale expenditure of energy.

9. Limiting the foods consumed, mono-diets.

10. Prolonged stay in a state of depression.

12. Menstrual irregularities.

13. Unbalanced diet is a common cause of constant hunger in women.

Hunger occurs at the moment when the body signals the brain about a lack of energy reserves. This is a normal reaction of the body that prevents exhaustion and protects all organs and systems. A constant feeling of hunger can appear due to two main factors: a physiological or psychological disorder.

Nutrition process is normal

In normal condition, the nutrition process occurs as follows:

1. An impulse is transmitted to the brain, requiring it to replenish its energy supply.

2. Nutrition is provided to the body.

3. The next pulse indicates saturation.

4. Hunger is receding.

If a constant feeling of hunger haunts a person, then this indicates a break in one of the above connections. The constant desire to eat, if left untreated, will inevitably lead a person to excess body weight and the pathologies that will follow.

Symptoms

A person begins to experience a feeling of hunger at the moment when the stomach sends the first impulse to the brain. The true feeling of hunger occurs approximately 12 hours after eating. This period depends on the individual characteristics of the person and is not common to everyone.

Hunger is characterized by stomach cramps that last up to half a minute. Spasms occur intermittently, and there is a tendency to intensify. After a certain period of time, the spasms become constant and acute. Then it begins to “suck in the pit of the stomach”, while the stomach growls.

How to get rid of the constant feeling of hunger is of interest to many.

Emotional turmoil

Emotional shocks have the property of suppressing the feeling of hunger for a certain period of time. It has been found that patients with high blood sugar suffer more than others.

Doctors quite often hear complaints about this from their patients. However, establishing the cause of this phenomenon can be quite difficult. This is due to a large number of factors that can cause this symptom. Sometimes women in the first stage of pregnancy experience a constant desire to eat. This is a physiological phenomenon that does not require special attention and does not cause concern.

Hunger after eating

There are patients who feel a constant feeling of hunger even immediately after eating. The reasons for this phenomenon are considered:

1. A drop in glucose levels caused by psychological or physiological factors. A prolonged imbalance between glucose and insulin can cause the development of diabetes mellitus, which subsequently leads to a constant feeling of hunger. An attempt to stop this feeling will lead to inevitable overeating and obesity.

2. A sharp change in the diet and quality of food. This could be correction for health purposes or moving to new climatic conditions. Over a certain period of time, the body undergoes a restructuring in a new way.

3. Significant limitation in the frequency of meals and their volumes. You should eat small meals so as not to force the body to starve. Reducing the number of meals will inevitably lead to the body demanding food.

4. State of stress. When the body experiences negative emotional shocks, it actively tries to replenish the level of the joy hormone and the easiest way to do this is by eating something tasty. This is called stress eating and is quite common. Such a desire forms a connection in the brain between a stressful situation and food. In especially severe cases, only a qualified psychologist can overcome the feeling of hunger caused by stress.

5. Intense mental activity. It is also a factor that can cause you to feel hungry immediately after eating. Quite often, people engaged in mental work neglect their diet and replace a full lunch with snacks. Such a regime cannot be called healthy, and it leads to the fact that after a very short period of time after eating a person wants to eat again. The solution to the problem is to change your diet. This means switching to three nutritious meals a day with healthy snacks between main meals.

6. Frequent diets can also provoke a constant feeling of emptiness in the stomach. When the body finds itself within the framework of deficient nutrition, it tries by any means to make up for the deficiency. He does this even from the minimum amount of food he receives, and often creates a reserve. Therefore, people on strict diets sometimes experience weight gain instead of the expected loss. You should listen more carefully to the desires of your own body. This will help avoid unwanted consequences and complications. You should give preference to a balanced diet rather than strict diets.

7. A deficiency of microelements and vitamins in the body can also cause a feeling of constant hunger. If you want to eat salty foods, you should add magnesium-rich foods to your diet. Harmful sweets such as sweets and cookies can be replaced with dried fruits and dark chocolate (in moderation). Cabbage, fruits and poultry will help replenish phosphorus, chromium and sulfur.

8. Another factor that can cause a feeling of constant hunger is premenstrual syndrome. This is due to the fact that during this period there is a deficiency of estrogen in the woman’s body. Therefore, a woman has an irresistible desire to snack on something all the time. The only advice that can be given in such a situation is to give preference to healthy food, even by increasing its quantity. It is also recommended to drink more clean water.

It is important not only to find out the reasons for the constant feeling of hunger, but also to start therapy in a timely manner.

Treatment

The main question is what to do if the feeling of hunger does not go away even after eating. First of all, you should contact your local physician. After a survey and examination, the doctor will send the patient to a more specialized specialist. In unadvanced cases, the general recommendations of nutritionists may be:

1. Eat as many foods containing fiber as possible.

2. When you feel hungry, drink mineral or regular water.

3. The food plate should be small and light in color. Scientists have found that bright colors stimulate appetite.

4. Chew food slowly and thoroughly. This will allow the stomach to signal saturation in time and avoid overeating.

6. The diet should not be strict. It should be a nutrition-based decision to live a healthy lifestyle.

7. After lunch, you should start cleaning up the dishes and washing them. Sitting at the table after a meal provokes a desire to try something else.

8. You cannot eat while standing or walking. Just sitting at the table.

9. You should reduce the amount of foods you eat that stimulate your appetite.

10. No later than two hours before going to bed, you should eat your last meal of the day.

11. During work, you should remove any food from the table, as its presence leads to unconscious heavy snacking.

12. If you want to eat, distract your brain, play sports, read books, play board games, do household chores.

Solve psychological problems

When the cause of the feeling of constant hunger is in the area of psychological problems, you should consult a neurologist and psychologist. They will help you solve the problem.

What else can you do about the constant feeling of hunger?

Sometimes consultation with a gastroenterologist and endocrinologist may be required. This will eliminate hormonal imbalance as a cause of constant hunger. Treatment in this case is carried out on a medication basis.

Conclusion

So, the reasons for the feeling of constant hunger are quite diverse and versatile. Therefore, to determine the factor that provokes this symptom, it is necessary to consult a specialist. The problem of constant feeling of hunger after eating is much more serious than it seems at first glance, and requires special attention from the patient. It is better to address this issue in a timely manner, as this will help avoid serious disorders in the body.