4 Tips To Keep The Hangry Awawy

When you're feeling foggy, your stomach is grumbling, and you suddenly snap at the first person who wishes you a “Good morning,” it sounds like the classic case of HANGRY. You know, Hungry + Angry = Hangry.

Where does this feeling of sudden anger come from? You can thank this unpleasant feeling on low blood sugar levels. A drop in glucose causes a dip in energy and then you wave ta-ta to all self-control. The good news is there are ways you can keep this hanger monster at bay and feel back to yourself in no time! Let’s get to it.

Tip #1: Don't Skip Main Meals

You heard it here. Make meal time… all the time! The trick to managing hanger is to eat something before you get too hungry. Sounds easy right? Let’s face it, life happens. Between responsibilities like errands, work duties, and family, it can be easy to not listen to your body’s signals. Ignoring those “feed me” signs your body sends to you wakes the hanger monster from within... and nobody wants that!

The truth is, the body is a machine and it needs fuel to keep the train going strong. This means eating plenty of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables to make energy AND balance moods.

Maintain a consistent meal schedule and really stick to it. Having a meal every 4 hours will help keep you full and happier. In need of a time saver? Try carving some time out during the week and prep healthy meals ahead of time. If you're on the go-go, set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself that it’s time to chow down!

Tip #2: Water Water Everywhere

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration, which further results in brain fog and nasty mood swings. Help regulate your mood and skip out on the sugary soft drinks and sip on good ol’ fashioned water. Did you know that sometimes thirst is confused with hunger? When in doubt, throw back a tall glass of water and drink it frequently throughout the day. The easiest way to do so is to fill up a jug or container and always have your water supply nearby.

Spruce up your glass of water:

1. Add lemon slices - simple and delicious!

2. Find a "flavor enhancer" that you love, like MIO or Dasani flavor drops

3. Toss in a small slice of watermelon and a mint sprig

4. Pop in some frozen black berries & blueberries-keeps your water cool too

5. Add in a splash of seltzer for a bubbly change up - so fancy!

Tip #3: Find Some Fiber

Another trick to keeping that hanger away is consuming fiber. Fibrous foods require more chewing which can slow your rate of digestion.

Fiber found in bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes are bulky and can physically make you feel fuller. Eating fiber packed goods will have you saying “not today!” to the hangry.

Tip #4: Pack In The Protein

Make it a protein party! Did you know that it takes the body longer to digest protein? That means hunger is delayed longer, keeping your stomach on the full side. Eating protein also combats cravings for sugar and fatty foods. The lesson here is, make sure you have a form a protein in every meal. Protein is also found in nuts, quinoa, eggs, and cheese - just to name a few!

Protein can also be found in snack form. Our pick when we feel the hanger monster coming… Youtopia Snacks! With at least 8 grams of protein in each deliciously packed snack, it’s our go-to solution to satisfy hunger and elevate moods too (happy dance!)

CONCLUSION

The next time you feel that hanger sneaking in to ruin your day, remember these tips to chase it away!

If you're interested in trying out snacks which were specifically designed around the macronutrient ratio that dietitians recommend, take a look at these delicious snacks which are high in protein, low in sugar, and full of healthy fats.