Man eating.

5 Reasons Why You Can’t Stop Snacking

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Have you noticed that you get hungry more often than those around you?

It doesn’t seem to matter if you just ate… you’re still hungry!

Maybe you find, more often than not, your stomach growling, you feel on edge, or you even get shaky at times.

If this sounds like you, don’t worry… there’s an easy fix.

Here are 5 reasons why you can’t stop snacking.

If you talk to a researcher, they’ll tell you hunger is a signal for when your body needs nutrients, like when your car’s fuel light comes on.

But unfortunately, that’s not how hunger works in the real world.

There are two hormones that work together to control hunger: the first is called ghrelin. This hormone is produced in the stomach, and its levels increase the longer you’ve been without food. Ghrelin travels to our brains and tells us when it’s time to grab a snack.

Another hormone, called leptin, puts the brakes on ghrelin. Leptin is produced when you eat a meal. It lets your brain know when it’s time to stop eating.

As you can see, if you don’t have enough leptin or you have too much ghrelin then you are going to be hungry all the time.

And the problem is, far too many things can throw this delicate balance out of whack.

Here are the factors that influence leptin and ghrelin levels in your body.

  1. Not eating frequently. The first, and most obvious, is you haven’t eaten in a while. Studies show most people begin to feel hungry three to five hours after they eat, but this depends on what you ate. A meal that has a healthy combination of macronutrients like fat, protein and fiber takes longer to digest (and keeps leptin around longer). On the other hand, a meal of simple carbohydrates can make you feel hungry faster because it’s easier to digest. Make sure you’re getting a balance of complex nutrients at each meal.
  2. Exercise. Have you been exercising more lately? Strenuous exercises that burn calories and cause the breakdown of muscles. This creates a desire for food. Even if you’re not running a marathon, however, you’re probably going to be hungry more often if you exercise regularly.
  3. Poor sleep. If you didn’t sleep well last night, ghrelin knows it and floods your bloodstream. This is why it may be harder to turn down junk food and snacks after you’ve had a bad night’s sleep.
  4. Medical conditions. There are a few conditions such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, low blood sugar, and others that can cause you to be hungry all the time. If you make changes to your diet, exercise, and sleep patterns, yet you’re still hungry all the time then you should seek medical care.
  5. There are a few drugs that can cause you to eat all the time. If you think this might be the case, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about the side effects of the medication you’re on.

P.S. If you’re worried about your snacking, I have some good news: researchers have found that chocolate could help you lose weight! Find out more right here.

 

SOURCE:

Tigar, Lindsay. “Why Am I Always Hungry? 8 Reasons Your Stomach Is Constantly Growling.” 11/5/21. https://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/healthy-eating/why-am-i-always-hungry

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

How to Get Your Spouse to Go to the Doctor

The other day, a friend asked me if I thought her husband was trying to hide something because he wouldn’t go to the doctor. It’s a common scenario, I told her—research shows that many men avoid preventative care and doctor’s visits. (Some women are guilty of it, too.) But what if your spouse is clearly...

Read This

Glucose Guardians Discovered at the GROCERY Store!

A new meta-analysis suggests that the spices in your kitchen aren’t just bursting with flavor. They could also deliver hidden health benefits. That’s especially true if you’re concerned about keeping your blood sugar in check. Which, honestly, everyone should be—regardless of whether you’re diabetic or not. The recent study confirmed that several popular spices (some...

Read This

Mailbag: The TRUE Cause of Your Tingly Scalp

“Why do I feel a tingling sensation in my scalp when I’m stressed?” – Anonymous Hi Anonymous, About twenty years ago, I was running on a trail in the early morning light when a fox bolted from the cover. It ran beside me for a few yards before ditching into the woods. I’m guessing the...

Read This

The Hidden (and DEADLY) Cost of Convenience

In our fast-paced, modern world, we’re always on the go, juggling work, family, and social obligations. The frantic pace leaves little time for home-cooked meals. As a result, convenience has become king. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) swoop in to save the day. They beckon us with their bright packaging and promise of ready-to-eat, instant gratification. And...

Read This

Exercise Leaving You in Pain? Try THIS Natural Fix

One of the biggest barriers to building a regular exercise routine is that many folks feel fantastic right after a session, but then they pay for it the following day. Those post-exercise aches and pains alone are enough to prevent most people from even thinking about working out again. But what if I told you...

Read This

Caffeine’s Benefits Go BEYOND the Buzz

Over 60 percent of American adults drink coffee daily—enjoying the caffeine-induced energy boost to jumpstart their day. However, caffeine’s benefits don’t end with that temporary jolt of alertness. It has other potential payoffs, including reducing diabetes risk and body fat. Now, new research reveals those benefits can vary from person to person… and the surprising...

Read This

Live LONGER and HEALTHIER with the “Grocery Cart Challenge”

Nobody on the planet who grabs something from a vending machine, thinking, “This is a healthy choice.” So, if we KNOW it isn’t good for us, why do we do it? Well, often it’s for convenience. We’re hungry and in a hurry, so grab-and-go foods fit the bill. But that’s not the only reason we...

Read This

BEWARE of the “Coffee Trap” [UNDOES Benefits]

Longtime Living Well Daily readers know I love my coffee. Powerful antioxidants and other healthy compounds in coffee deliver various health benefits. In fact, studies confirm a regular coffee habit may reduce the risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, and liver disease. It also provides a temporary boost in energy and focus that many people rely on...

Read This

Frailty Leads to a Shorter Painful Life? [Surprising FIX]

Aging sure isn’t for sissies. You have to be tough as nails to manage it gracefully. Everything gets a bit more challenging. Whether it’s diet, exercise, or reducing specific risk factors, you often have to work harder to get the same results. Eventually, all the so-called “diseases of aging” start nipping at your heels, from...

Read This

Mailbag: Taste Buds in Turmoil? The Cause of Metallic Mouth

“Should I be concerned about a metallic taste in my mouth? It happens on occasion but isn’t every day.” – Mark Hi Mark, Many people experience a metallic taste that will not go away, and it can be caused by several different things. The most common cause of “metallic mouth” is poor oral health. Gum...

Read This