Why We Get Hungry All The Time

A whole carbo-rich meal is not going to keep you full for a long time. After having one full plate of your favorite nachos with cheese, you feel that you are done with. However, just in one hour, you realize that your stomach is empty and requires something more. But ever wondered why so?

Carbohydrates are one of the major sources of energy, present in the form of sugar and starch in pieces of bread, cereals, fruits, and vegetables that we consume. It fuels our body to perform daily activities. And it is normal to assume to be energetic once we consume these food items. We feel filled up. However, it is not the way it works.

Two Types of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates exist in two types – simple carbs and complex carbs. Simple carbs, also known as simple sugars, are found in items such as fruit, vegetables, and milk. Complex carbs refer to starches found in pieces of bread, rice, and potatoes, among many other food items. While at the process of digestion, both simple carbs and complex carbs break down into simple sugars, including glucose, galactose, and fructose, which later get stored in the liver until it is required back as energy.

Complex carbs, as its name refers to, undergoes through a complicated process to break down and nutritionists feel it as a better choice to simple carbs when it comes to nutritional value. It is mostly found in pieces of bread, rice, and potatoes, among other things.

Certain Carbs won’t keep You Full for Longtime

Consumption of certain carbohydrates will make us hungry fast than others, especially carbs that are low in fiber. Fruits and vegetables have low fiber and get digested faster making us carving for more soon after consumption. That’s the reason why after having a peeled banana or apple, you feel the food digested.

Processed carbs or refined carbs are quickly broken down by the body and classic examples include white bread, cakes, many kinds of pasta, and chips. Simple carbs can also be refined and one example of it is high fructose corn syrup treated with enzymes to turn a part of its glucose into fructose even before the consumption.

Refined carbs digest quickly, leaving you tired, and hungry. And that’s the reason why a bowl of fiber-rich oatmeal will keep you going more than a bowl of Rice Krispies with refined carb, despite the same calorie content.

Do We Need Carbs?

The primary source of energy, carbohydrates fuel muscles and brains and we require it to perform our best. A properly balanced diet is all about healthy carbs, adequate-protein, and fat. Consume more of grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables, like corn, peas, potatoes, and beans, and also include vitamins and minerals part of your diet. Several studies prove that consumption of whole grains lowers the risk of diabetes. Also, fats and proteins digest slowly than carbohydrates and will help go longer. Make sure that you have 45 to 65 percent of your calories from carbs, 20 to 35 percent of calories from fats, and 10 to 35 percent of calories from protein.

A different fruit every week is better than sticking to a chips packet and try out new grains every time to keep you carbo-rich. Eat healthily and stay healthy.

Author: Dr. Date, MD | Dr2bThin – A medically supervised weight loss program.