Q&A: Why Am I Still Hungry After Overeating?

This article was repurposed with permission from Prevention.com.

The question: Why am I so hungry the day after I overeat?  

The expert: Ashley Koff, R.D., a nutrition expert and co-author of Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged

The answer: Yes, it does seem strange that instead of feeling full the next day, you feel hungry—so hungry that it makes you want to overeat all over again. Why does this happen? The day after overeating, your body is often exhausted. That fatigue could be related to overeating's favorite partners-in-crime—traveling, partying, stressing—or it might just be because your body stayed up all night working to process those extra servings (these two-minute stress solutions can help you relax). 

Fatigue will trigger hunger because the body uses food, specifically carbs, as quick energy. So the key thing here is to give yourself quality foods in the proper nutrient balance (don't skip carbs, but don't overdo them, either) as soon as you wake up.

Another potential explanation for your hunger is that your digestive system might be rejecting all the food (and booze?) you consumed the day before. If you've been making more frequent trips to the bathroom or if what you're excreting is a different consistency than usual, then your body is likely nutrient-deprived and calling out for more. Drink plenty of water, and up your intake of hydrating, water-based foods and those high in potassium, such as coconut water, avocado, and potato.

Finally, all that hunger might just be in your head—especially if you overdid it with sugar or fat. I tell clients that it can take about three days for the perceived cravings to wear off. So pass on the mocha (especially if you don't usually order it anyway but it looks really good the day after overeating), and stick with frequent pit stops of nutrient-balanced food options. Oh, and make sure to get some rest and recreation to help get your body and mind back in tune with your true needs.

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