Have you ever met someone who gets HANGRY? In case you’re not familiar hungry + angry = hangry. It’s basic math. It’s basically when you wait too long to eat and get mad at everything and everyone that crosses your path, until you have satisfied your hunger.
The science behind getting hangry is actually kind of fascinating. Basically, when your blood sugars drop, your brain sends a panic message to your body telling it to release a whole slew of hormones. Among them: cortisol and adrenaline. Both of those hormones cause you to feel stressed and initiate a flight or fight response. I guess if you are one to choose fight over flight, you might have yourself a hanger situation. Certain genetic factors apparently also lend themselves to some people having hanger issues, while others are able to maintain their cool a little better.
I may or may not be prone to it…I’m not telling. I will say, avoiding getting there at all is key {for those who suffer from it, of course}. There’s very little control once you’ve crossed the threshold into the “hanger zone” {or so I’ve heard}. Admittedly, sometimes, it’s completely unavoidable, like when you’ve eaten like a waif all day long because you know you are going to your favorite restaurant and fully plan to pig out.
Then, for whatever reason, the service is painfully slow and you cross into being hangry {which all could have been avoided had they just brought the stinkin’ complimentary bread basket} without really having a chance at prevention. In those situations, you are not completely at fault for your behavior. Really, you are an innocent victim of circumstance. But, I digress, and of course, that was entirely hypothetical.
Let’s get back to prevention. The key is to keep blood sugars at a nice level place. Starving yourself all day before a big meal seems like a great idea, until you are googling names of marriage counselors in your area. It’s best to stash an emergency something, something in your purse or car to whip out at the first sign of trouble…or even better, snack on something nutritionally dense throughout the day, but without a ton of calories on days you know you need to wait to consume the bulk of your calories.
A handful of almonds, an apple, carrots, etc. will help to keep hunger at bay better than quick fix junk foods. If its just a regular day, make sure to space your feedings {yep, like a baby} at regular enough intervals to keep hanger at bay. Maybe you need to have bigger meals three times a day…or smaller meals, but several times throughout the day? It’s all about what works best for you.
Now, what to do, what to do, if prevention is simply not possible? SAY NOTHING until the food arrives and you have safely gobbled it down. This is literally golden advice, people. Recognize the signs and symptoms and keep your pie hole shut until the pie comes. That way, you won’t have to spend the 20 minutes after dinner apologizing to friends and family. It’s the eat food, not crow method…and it is painfully effective {though, not easy in the throws of hanger}.
Do you have hanger issues? What do you do to keep it at bay? Group counseling? Shock therapy? Power Bars?
~Mavis
Christina says
Thanks for writing so clearly what is also my life’s story. I survive on Luna Bars when traveling. They keep my blood sugar perfect levels. When traveling, everything is a conspiracy to delay meals.
Hanger — (love that word, hate the feeling) — Even if severe hanger didn’t destroy wonderful days, it physically hurts so bad and takes forever to get back to normal. I’m so glad you are spreading the info in a fun way.
Erica says
I can totally relate. My poor husband was initiated to it during our honeymoon in England where sticker shock over food prices kept us from eating as much as usual. 12 years later, he knows not to ask too many questions and get some food in me quick when I’m hungry.
Ashley says
Omg, I get so hangry (but more angry than hungry)! I have 3 kiddos with the oldest being 5. So I have this problem where I forget that I should eat until we’re out the door for whatever that day entails. Then, during their lunch I run around trying to accomplish a couple things. After that, time to get the 1 year old down for a nap. Let’s just say, *sometimes* he doesn’t go to sleep too easily and *sometimes* the older 2 feel the need to whine and be turds…..which is bad enough on it’s own…but when you’re ‘hangry’ it’s basically the end of world (woe is me). On the weekends my husband is home during the day, so if I haven’t eaten by noon he literally shoves food in my face and says, ‘you WILL eat this!’.
I feel ya on the restaurant situation! I do the same thing….why eat earlier in the day when there will be so much food later?! And then it doesn’t quite play out as it should…..and yep, end of the world.
I will say this, my husband is way worse. He anticipates hunger and freaks out about the next meal while he’s still full from the previous. Hello, there’s always more food coming! First world problems…
Veronica says
Me too with the kids! And one is nursing, so I really should eat…
Mavis says
First world problems indeed! Glad to hear I am not alone, though 🙂
Tracey says
I am training for my first half marathon and I am hangry ALL THE TIME. I try to have nutritious snacks ready in the fridge for me to grab and I try to carry KIND and EPIC bars in my purse. But I am still hangry, lol.
Diana says
I get the hangries bad! I love the photo of the almonds, because that is my emergency food stash of choice. I keep a bag of almonds in the car and one in my office. They are so important to me, that I make a special trip to our local Nifty Nut House (which celebrity chef Alton Brown proclaimed a ‘national treasure’ 🙂 ), for the best almonds ever. Not only has my almond stash saved me from turning into Cruella Deville multiple times, but a handful or two of almonds has many times kept me from ordering a pizza and devouring the whole thing.
Mavis says
Being prepared is definitely the key. When I don’t have something healthy on hand, I almost always find myself googling the nearest pastry shop. Not good.
Michele says
My son and I both get very HANGRY!!! Even to the point of shakiness and a panicky feeling inside. Doesn’t help that my husband can go ALL DAY without eating and he’s happy as a clam. So- he thinks we’re wimps or something…totally annoying.
To avoid this dilemma, we eat a healthy, low sugar breakfast always with an egg involved. It sets the tone for the day. We always carry a snack too. Granola bar, banana, dry cereal etc.
if you don’t … Well all sorts bad choices will ensue.
What’s really a hoot is the “come down” euphoria after a bad “HANGRY” episode. I always laugh at what a drastic shift my emotions take afterward. Suddenly, I love everyone and I am the most calm, patient & rational person ever. It’s impressive.
Marcia says
Yah I feel you. I used to play lots of volleyball pre-kids, and my friends would say sometimes: “When was your last meal?” apparently I get bitchy