Feeling Hungry After Eating: Why It Happens and What to Do

Hunger is your body’s way of letting you know it needs more food.

However, many people find themselves feeling hungry even after eating. Many factors, including your diet, hormones, or lifestyle, can explain this phenomenon.

This article helps explain why you may feel hungry after a meal and what to do about it.

Behavioral and lifestyle factors

Aside from the key factors above, several behavioral factors may explain why you feel hungry after eating, including:

• Being distracted while eating. Research suggests that people who eat distracted feel less full and have a greater desire to eat throughout the day. If you usually eat distracted, try practicing mindfulness to better recognize your body’s signals
• Eating too quickly. Research suggests that fast eaters tend to feel less full than slow eaters due to a lack of chewing and awareness, which are linked to feelings of fullness. If you’re a fast eater, aim to chew your food more thoroughly.
• Feeling stressed. Stress raises the hormone cortisol, which may promote hunger and cravings. If you find that you’re often stressed, try incorporating yoga or meditation into your weekly routine.
• Exercising a lot. People who exercise a lot tend to have greater appetites and faster metabolisms. If you exercise a lot, you may need to consume more food to fuel your workouts .
• A lack of sleep. Adequate sleep is essential for regulating hormones, such as ghrelin, levels of which tend to be higher among sleep-deprived people. Try setting a healthy sleep routine or limiting blue light exposure at night to get adequate sleep.
• Not eating enough food. In some situations, you may feel hungry after eating simply because you didn’t eat enough during the day.
• High blood sugar and insulin resistance. Having high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance can significantly increase your hunger levels.