Starving but you just finished eating? That tasty meal might by why! It may sound odd, but many of the things you eat and drink everyday don’t actually satisfy your hunger. Even worse: they could be causing it!
Read on before you make the mistake of eating too much of these 6 foods that make you hungry again!
Alcohol: Anyone who’s seen a kitchen the morning after a party knows the havoc that can be caused by hungry drunk people. Just 3 drinks has been shown to drop your body’s levels of leptin, the hormone responsible for quieting hunger pangs, by 30 percent.
If you’re looking to lose weight, it’s best to abstain from alcohol completely for awhile. But if you must drink, keep low-calorie, high-fiber options like vegetables or fruit (keep the skin, that’s where you’ll find its fiber) around so you’ll have a smart choice to turn to when you start seeing double.
Sushi: While fish can be a terrific source of protein, when found in a sushi roll it’s usually paired with huge amounts of white rice. This adds massive levels of calories and fast-digesting carbs.
An average-size sushi meal often contains more simple carbohydrates than you’d find in a large sandwich made on white bread. These simple carbs cause havoc on your body’s insulin levels, leading to hunger cravings that start soon after you’ve finished your meal.
Juices: You may think that because your favorite sweet drink is made from real fruit it’s healthy, but oftentimes that is not the case. Juicing removes the pulp and skin from the fruit, which is where you’ll find its fiber which keeps you feeling full.
Downing a glass of juice can also cause spikes in your blood sugar levels, which in turn causes hunger. Instead, opt for green tea (which boosts your metabolism) or a cold glass of water.
Salty snacks: Our favorite salty treats like potato chips may taste great, but be careful the next time you reach for a bag. And it’s not just because they’re almost always packed with diet-killing calories.
Salty snacks will typically also come loaded with fast-digesting carbs which spike insulin levels. This will send your hunger through the roof, causing you to overeat well past your body’s needs.
White bread: Why is making a sandwich with white bread a bad idea? Because the type of flour used to make white bread has been stripped of its bran, robbing you of much-needed fiber that keeps you feeling full and satisfied longer.
A recent study found that people who eat 2 or more servings of white bread per day are 40% more likely to become overweight or obese. Stick to whole grains when making sandwiches or wraps!
MSG: Otherwise known as monosodium glutamate, MSG is a flavoring most commonly found in Chinese food, canned goods, processed meats, and sometimes even treats like ice cream or beer.
Researchers believe that MSG restricts the level of your body’s levels of leptin, a hormone responsible for regulating cravings. These levels of MSG can build in your body, meaning the more frequently you eat foods high in MSG, the higher the effect (and in turn, your hunger cravings) will be.
Try to eat foods high in MSG sparingly or avoid them completely. Failing that, pair them with a high-quality protein source like chicken to counteract any hunger.
