Science says being ‘Hangry’ is a real thing
Do you get “hangry?” You know, it’s that rage that only comes from being ravenously hungry. Well, you’re not alone, and you’re not crazy, either.
It turns out that science says being hangry (hungry + angry) is a real thing. So, if you turn into the Hulk when service is slow in a restaurant, you need to read this.
“In the brain we have neurons that will actually tell us to eat, and obviously when you eat, that is a sense of fulfillment and those neurons turn off,” Zane Andrews, an associate professor of physiology and neuroscientist who studies the effect of food on the brain at Monash University, told The Huffington Post Australia. “However, if we don’t immediately have food those neurons will persistently fire and they will also engage other parts of the brain that regulate things like anxiety and mood.”
If you get hangry, you’ll probably relate to this humorous tweet, shared by Mathias Swann:
When you're meeting your friend for lunch and they're running slightly late… #hangry pic.twitter.com/K30A3Vieml
— Mathias Swann (@MTSwann) June 29, 2018
Translation: Your neurons get overzealous, and that’s how hanger happens.
Andrews says that scientists think being hangry is really a combination of anxiety, grumpiness and frustration, but not necessarily aggressive “Hulk smash!” anger (although if this is you, that might be an issue).
This funny tweet, shared by Annika Wolters, might characterize how you feel when hangry:
When you made your own lunch, but forgot to bring it.#hangry pic.twitter.com/IOtZL6I0Wm
— Annika Wolters (@Anni_Wol) June 25, 2018
Stop Hunger Before It Happens
So now that we know hanger is real, what can we do about it?
Well, the obvious solution is to eat before you get absolutely ravenously starving. It’s better for you and, well, the people around you will appreciate it, too.
But if you’re already at hangry, eat thoughtfully. Your brain might be screaming for high-fat, high-sugar foods, but avoid that temptation.
Junk foods tend to create massive increases in blood glucose levels that come crashing down just as fast, leaving you just as cranky as before.
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Instead, reach for nutrient-rich, whole foods that will satisfy both your brain’s cravings for fat and your stomach.
Peanut butter, lean proteins, dark leafy greens and fruit are all good choices.
The Best (And Worst) Foods To Eat On An Empty Stomach
When we think about diet, we usually tend to focus on what we eat, not how and when we eat it. However, good digestion is important to our health. In order to keep ourselves feeling good, maximize absorption of nutrients and keep everything in our body in balance, it’s useful to pay attention to how you eat certain foods.
That’s why it’s important to know what is best for your stomach — especially when it’s empty.
(Kids can get hangry, too, as shown in this Tweet from Nicole Nickers.)
@TheEllenShow
When your kids are #HANGRY
We were waiting for curbside takeout pic.twitter.com/s4rmT9Bp6E— Nicole Nickers (@NicoleNickers1) June 30, 2018
Foods To Eat When You’re Hangry
Whether you’re waking up first thing in the morning or haven’t eaten in hours after a long day, here are some of the best and worst foods for an empty stomach.
1. Nuts
Nuts are a great choice, especially if you are particularly hungry. Choices such as almonds and walnuts are not only filling, but they are filled with heart-healthy fats and other important nutrients. They also tend not to irritate the stomach.
2. Vegetables
Many vegetables are great for empty stomachs, especially if they are cooked, as they help reduce your chance of having gas later. If you’re sensitive to gas or bloating, steer clear of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Instead, stick to other, easier-to-digest veggies, like carrots.
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3. Slice Of Cheese
If you’re someone who easily suffers from indigestion or heartburn, it’s good to have some dairy when there is nothing else in your tummy. If you’re sensitive to dairy, it can help to eat some crackers with your cheese to ease digestion.
Foods To Avoid
1. Spicy Foods
Spicy food sure is tasty, but it’s not so easy on the stomach when nothing else is in there. Food with heat can burn the inside lining of your stomach and cause indigestion, so it’s best to eat something else before you pour on the hot sauce.
2. Sugary Fruits
If you haven’t eaten food in a while, fruit may not be your best bet. Its natural sugars can cause a drastic spike and drop in your blood sugar levels. Fruits high in sugar include figs, oranges, grapes and mangos.
3. Citrus
In addition to their high sugar content, citrus fruits are also very acidic, which can be hard on the stomach. Citric acid, which is especially high in lemons and limes, can cause stomach cramps or pain, and in some cases, even nausea.
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4. Caffeine
It’s not uncommon for people to have coffee or tea first thing in the morning, but you might want to wait until after breakfast to enjoy your favorite drink. Coffee drinks can stimulate the production of acid, which, in the absence of food, can be damaging to the lining of the stomach.
This can give you heartburn and indigestion, and without the presence of food, you’re more likely to feel a racing heartbeat or jitters from the caffeine.
Now excuse me, I have to go eat something before I turn into the Hulk myself.