Confusing thirst for hunger has become so common that achieving the 8-glass per day rule is no longer observed. As a result, you will find yourself consuming more food, thus possibly leading to an unhealthy diet.
Understanding Hunger and Thirst
It should be understood how the two are perceived by the brain, bearing in mind that all bodily desires are automatically controlled by the brain. The complicated thing is that the part of the brain that deals with hunger and thirst feelings is the same. With the same part interpreting both signals, it becomes confusing to offer the perfect solution. Studies reveal that there is no conclusive number of meals [1]that people need to consume in a day, further blurring the lines between pangs of hunger and thirst. When it has been over that, the brain starts to interpret signals due to food insufficiency and energy levels. A hungry person will show some signs including:
Feeling weak Being irritable Feeling empty Growling or rumbling stomach
Something you should not ignore is that feelings of true hunger come gradually, and not suddenly.
Are You Really Thirsty or Not?
Being thirsty, as stated earlier, shares the same signals with hunger, thus confusing your brain between the two. You should, however, be keen to note the signs of thirst and consume an adequate amount of water each day. Ideally, you are advised to drink eight glasses of water each day in order to give your body its required level of hydration. However, daily activities, such as exercising, or even sickness, can cause dehydration, making it necessary to drink even more water. However, be careful not to mistake this feeling for hunger. Here are some frequent signs of thirst that you may mistake for hunger:
Dryness Sluggishness Dizziness Headache Nausea Dry skin Dry mouth
Ensure that you have access to water at all times of the day to avoid dehydration. Drink any time, even if you don’t feel thirsty. When your stomach feels empty, even after drinking water, then your are surely hungry.
Things to Do When You Feel Hungry
Feeling hungry is a top, unwanted issue among all people. It makes you feel moody and makes you feel weak. What you do when hunger comes knocking depends on so many things. For you to eat, you have to be close to a source of food. Even with all the food available, you need to consider your health and current fitness programs [2]. If you have been trying to lose weight, this is your chance to stick to it, but how? Here are some of the things you should consider when hungry.
Grab a Juicy Fruit
Instead of drinking juice, which is not normally healthy, grab a fruit. Eating fruits, like mangoes and apples, is not only healthy, but also a good way to alleviate hunger. Fruits will give your body the required energy and nutrients. Also, the natural sugars contained in fruits help you get through the day. By availing glycogen into your liver in the form of fructose extracted from fruits, hunger will soon dissipate.
Eat Some Fibrous Food
There are so many fibrous foods you can grab that will not negatively affect your fitness plan. Such foods are rich in water and fill up the stomach, creating a satisfaction feeling in the brain. The good thing about these foods is that they are fewer in calories and are thus, perfect for weight loss programs.
Eat Protein-Rich Foods
If you are feeling hungry, the obvious option is just to eat. However, have you ever wondered why eating meat makes you feel more filled compared to other food? For a long time now, proteins have proven to be the best at relieving hunger [3] when compared to fats and carbohydrates. Therefore, you should grab milk, yogurt, meat, chicken, or even fish to alleviate your hunger. Finally, whether you are on a diet plan or not, be sure to leave space in your stomach to help regulate your food intake. It is important not to mistake thirst and hunger as it may affect your dietary system. Always drink water first. If the feeling of hunger persists, then make it a must to grab some food. If you like this article, then please share this post on social media to help educate your friends and followers about the distinction between the two.
