Ask Lasta Nutrition

Technically we should eat when we are hungry, which is how our body tells us that we are lacking energy and nutrients. 

But nowadays we usually eat for the sake of it, because we are bored, we are sad, or because we don’t have anything else to do. And this can lead to a cycle of not feeling full after eating or even sometimes feeling your stomach empty even after you ate. 

Some of the reasons why you feel hungry after eating may be because your food lacks the nutrients that help you feel full: protein, fat, and fiber. 

These three macronutrients are not only for our health since they are super beneficial for our body, but they also have the peculiarity of being slowly digested, making them stay longer in our stomach, giving us that characteristic fullness sensation after a nutritious meal.

So be aware of this in your next meal. It is not just about counting calories, because more calories do not equal better or more satiety; we can have meals very high in calories and simple carbs that are quickly digested and “pass right through”, not giving the needed feeling of fullness and then we are hungry again.

Also, read – How To Fix Metabolism

Apart from the ingredients of your meal, there may be other things to consider:

  • Feeling stressed: this may lead to hormonal imbalances, resulting in a cycle of constant eating, affecting your body’s satiety cues.
  • Too little sleep: insufficient sleep leads to a drop in leptin (the hormone that signals satiety) and a rise in ghrelin (the hormone that signals hunger), causing a stronger sensation of hunger, even after having eaten.
  • Medications: certain drugs can alter your satiety cues as well as your eating behaviors. These include steroids, certain antibiotics, antidepressants, and birth control pills. If you are taking any medication it is important to check with your doctor to see if it may be contributing to your constant hunger.
  • Diabetes or insulin resistance: our body uses glucose as a source of energy when we eat, but in these situations of diabetes or insulin resistance, glucose cannot enter the cells, generating signals that tell you to eat more. It’s important to check with your doctor. 

It is important to check with your doctor if, in addition, you have other symptoms such as constant thirst, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, tingling, or pain in your hands or feet.

Asked by: Christine P.

Eva De Angelis - Registered dietitian-nutritionist and Writer
Registered dietitian-nutritionist and Writer

With a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, Eva is a dietitian-nutritionist who is passionate about everything related to food and nutrition.
She is always in constant search of knowledge and loves to write about topics related to food, nutrition, healthy eating habits, and tips for a healthy lifestyle, making knowledge about food and nutrition education available to everyone, helping them to have better health.

She is also a chef and has experience in recipe creation and workshops on healthy cooking.