It’s no secret that hunger is a natural occurrence in the human body. After all, it’s our body’s way of telling us that it needs fuel to function.

However, there are certain factors outside of our body that can influence or even increase our appetite unexpectedly. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of these factors and how we can manage them.

Stress

Stress is one of the most common factors that can increase your appetite unexpectedly. When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that triggers the release of glucose into your bloodstream for energy.

However, this can also trigger hunger, as your body craves more glucose to deal with the stress. In addition, stress can also increase your levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite.

To manage stress-related appetite increase, try stress-reducing activities like exercise, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.

Additionally, make sure to eat healthy snacks, like fruits or salads, instead of indulging in high-calorie comfort foods when under stress.

Lack of sleep

Another unexpected factor that can increase your appetite is a lack of sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body produces more ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, and less leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite.

This can lead to an increase in unhealthy cravings and the tendency to overeat, especially late at night.

To avoid the hunger-inducing effects of lack of sleep, make sure to prioritize sleep by establishing a regular sleep schedule and investing in quality sleep products like a comfortable mattress and pillow.

Additionally, try to avoid eating late at night, as late-night snacking can turn into a habit.

Medications

It’s not uncommon for certain medications to increase your appetite unexpectedly. For example, some antidepressants can stimulate appetite, leading to unintentional weight gain.

Related Article 30 reasons why you’re always hungry

In addition, medications like steroids or insulin can also stimulate appetite, leading to weight gain or negative dietary changes.

If you’re concerned that your medications are increasing your appetite, make sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

They may be able to recommend alternative medications or offer guidance on how to manage your appetite while on your current medications.

Dehydration

Dehydration is another surprising factor that can increase your appetite. When you’re dehydrated, your body’s thirst and hunger signals can get mixed up, making you feel like you’re hungry when you’re actually just thirsty.

In addition, when your body is dehydrated, it can slow down your metabolism, which can also lead to an increase in hunger.

To avoid dehydration-related hunger, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Additionally, try to eat water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables to keep yourself hydrated and full throughout the day.

Food smells and pictures

Finally, smells and images of food can unexpectedly increase your appetite. Our brains are wired to respond to images and smells of food, triggering the release of hormones responsible for hunger.

In addition, exposure to food images or smells can also trigger memories or emotions associated with food, leading to cravings or overeating.

To manage the unexpected hunger caused by food images and smells, try to limit your exposure to food advertisements and images. Additionally, if you have a specific craving, try to find healthy alternatives to satisfy it.

In conclusion

Hunger is a natural occurrence in the human body, but there are certain factors that can increase our appetite unexpectedly. These include stress, lack of sleep, medications, dehydration, and exposure to food images or smells.

By being aware of these factors and making healthy choices, we can manage unexpected hunger and maintain a healthy lifestyle.