It’s one thing to crave a big meal or a bottomless bag of your favorite snack. It’s another to be so famished that you are irritable and overreact to minor annoyances. That’s the difference between being hungry and being “hangry,” a clever combo of “hungry” and “angry.”
“Is Being ‘Hangry’ Really a Thing ― or Just an Excuse?” – Cleveland Clinic
Have you ever been running errands and suddenly felt like you wanted to flip everybody off? One minute, you’re driving and focused on getting to the cleaners, and the next minute, you’re ready to eat something or whoever gets in your face.
Here are 5 tips to avoid getting hangry:
- Keep healthy snacks at home or in your car. Plans change, and you’ll be prepared in case you are away from home for longer
- Stay hydrated. You may think you’re hungry when you’re actually thirsty.
- Prep your Trail Mix. You can buy it premade or create your own. I personally like to mix almonds, pistachios, cashews, pecans, and chocolate chips.
- Get your proteins in. Eating fulfilling and nutritious food can keep you satiated and help you avoid cravings later in the day.
- Keep a written list of your go-to meals. I find that I eat junk food while I’m thinking about what to make for dinner, so I keep a list on my fridge of 5 quick and easy meals I can make when I’m hungry and/or in a rush. When you write down your list of meals, ensure they are all easy to make and that you usually have the ingredients in your pantry. My personal go-to meal is tacos. I always have tortillas in my fridge, and I always have chicken breasts or thinly sliced beef so I can pan-fry them quickly. Just add avocado or whatever toppings you have on hand, and dinner is ready!
The takeaways are to ensure we eat healthy food and drink plenty of water. As long as we plan our meals and snacks, note them, and stay hydrated, we’re on the right path to avoid being famished.