hangry (han-gree) adj a state of anger caused by lack of food; hunger causing negative change in emotional state
“I’m sorry for what I said when I was hangry!” I’m sure we’ve all been “hangry” at one time or another. That frustration you feel when you haven’t eaten for hours and any little thing can irritate you. It’s definitely no fun for you, and especially no fun for the people around you either!
So why does this happen? It’s called dysglycemia. Dysglycemia (often referred to as hypoglycemia) is a term used to describe an imbalance of blood sugar. People with dysglycemia experience ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ throughout the day. Consuming high amounts of refined carbohydrates, sugar and caffeine regularly can cause blood sugar levels to spike rapidly. When this occurs, your pancreas goes into overdrive and releases excess insulin. This surplus of insulin works to drive your blood sugar levels down. This sudden drop signals the adrenals (your stress glands) to kick in and secrete adrenaline, which causes another rapid rise of blood sugar. Overtime, the adrenals become exhausted by this repetitive stress and lose their ability to mount an appropriate response — leaving you feeling tired, irritable, and craving sugar. This is when you find yourself reaching for coffee, chocolate or candy, which starts the cycle all over again. Whew! What a RoLLeR-CoAsTeR ride! This recurring and irregular alteration of blood sugars can have disrupting effects on the body, both physically and psychologically. Aside from irritability, sugar cravings, headaches, weight gain, fatigue, depression, and trouble concentrating are some other common symptoms of dysglycemia.
This is where healthy snacking comes in. Eating something small between meals is an excellent way to keep blood sugar levels balanced. Keep in mind, however that snacks should be small and nutrient-dense.
Some healthy snacks options include:
It’s always a great idea to bring snacks with you when you’re away from home. That way when hunger strikes, you can avoid the vending machine. Instead you can reach for something nourishing that will keep your blood sugar balanced and prevent you from getting “hangry”.
Happy snacking!
