Why do you feel hungry after lunch?

There were times when I finished eating and still didn’t want to stop. ** I didn’t know why it was, but it seemed ridiculous to me. I mean, according to me I was eating well and enough. But I hadn’t considered these things that make you hungry after lunch.

• You didn’t eat enough

Many times we wonder why we are still so hungry, even after lunch. Just ask yourself what did you eat? A lot of people usually say something like, “Oh, something very healthy.” I ate peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes.” And therein lies the problem. Lunch should be one of your largest meals because you still need fuel for the afternoon. So if you’re just eating a salad, you’ll probably be hungry later. Remember that healthy does not necessarily mean less. Add some carbohydrates like quinoa or some potatoes. These are nutrient-dense foods that will fill you up and keep your energy level high.

• You didn’t eat enough protein or fat

Healthy fat and protein keep you full and satisfied. They’re like polish for your nail (because grime doesn’t sound very hygienic), you really can’t have one without the other. If your lunch was a little heavy on carbs and sugar, you may have an initial spike of energy, but feel sluggish and hungry shortly afterward. That’s because we digest carbohydrates and sugars pretty quickly. But our bodies digest proteins and fats a little slower. Try adding a little olive oil or avocado to your salad, also some beans or chickpeas. You can even sprinkle hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds on them for a little extra healthy fat and protein.

• You ate while I was distracted

This is one of the main reasons. We were distracted while eating, especially us who like to eat at our desks. Trying to do ten different things at once prevents you from enjoying your food and listening to your body. Our insistence on trying means that we are not paying attention to our body’s signals. Which gets to us because these signals are surprisingly good at telling us we’re full, but we’re really bad at listening. And that means we’re more likely to continue eating, not just then, but later as well. To reduce distractions, be sure to take a lunch break away from your desk (and maybe even your phone). You will be able to eat more consciously, enjoying your food and knowing when you are full.

• You ate too fast

With something very similar to the situations above, we often feel like we are too busy to take the time and really chew and enjoy our food. Eating too quickly prevents you from receiving the “I’m full” signal. Your body needs at least 20 minutes to register that you’re full, so when you’re wolfing down lunch in five minutes, you’re not giving yourself enough time to realize that enough is enough. Instead of trying to set a record for the fastest lunch, try chewing each bite at least 20 times. You definitely have to eat much slower so you don’t get hungry so quickly!