Feeling hungry and don’t know why? When it comes to excessive hunger, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact cause. The truth is, we’re all different—and what someone might need to feel satisfied differs greatly from individual to individual. Some people can go hours between meals before feeling the call to eat again, while others may need to nosh regularly to avoid hunger pangs.

Mitigating factors and environmental cues aside, one thing is for sure: Feelings of hunger are a natural cue that the body needs more sustenance—and ignoring those signals isn’t a feasible wellness strategy, in the short-term or the long-run. But if you’re feeling extra ravenous—even in light of balanced, healthy eating habits—and could use some satiety support, here are six questions to ask.*

Q: How much protein is being consumed?

Food choices play a large role in how full we feel, which means that striving for a healthy, nutrient-dense eating pattern can go a long way toward balancing hunger levels and curbing overeating. (Another bonus: The more satiated you are, the easier it is to avoid giving into not-so-nourishing food cravings.) As a general rule, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends shifting away from processed foods—which commonly include extra calories, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats—and increasing intake of whole foods, like lean protein. Given that dietary protein is an essential macronutrient that provides several benefits to the body—one of them being satiety support—it makes sense that someone may feel hungry more frequently if under consuming protein sources.* (1, 20)

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or about 7 grams of protein for every 20 pounds of body weight. That said, the RDA only indicates the minimum daily intake value for a healthy individual—not necessarily the optimal amount. Case in point: According to the most recent scientific evidence, athletes require a daily protein intake of 1.2-2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or about 9-18 grams of protein for every 20 pounds of body weight—higher than the current RDA.* (2, 3, 4, 5)

In need of a high-protein option that doesn’t monopolize your time? Try a high-quality protein powder like Essential Protein—it provides a complete amino acid profile, 20 grams of pea protein, and a delicious touch of Madagascar vanilla, without any sugary† additives. Simply shake it up with water (or blend it into a smoothie), and you’re good to go. (Here’s some tips for finding the best-tasting protein powder out there.)

†Not a reduced calorie food

Q: Can we chat about dietary fiber for a sec?

Data shows that more than 90% of Americans are not getting enough fiber in their diets. And considering all the ways fiber helps support the body (and digestive health in particular), there’s a solid case to be made for changing that—starting with the foods we eat, but potentially by incorporating a fiber supplement, too.

A quick crash course: Dietary fiber—also known as roughage or bulk—comes from parts of plant foods that the human body is unable to digest, which means it passes through the digestive system relatively intact. Dietary fiber is often divided into two types: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. According to Dr. Mastaneh Sharafi, PhD, Ritual’s VP of Scientific Affairs and a registered dietitian, “Both types are beneficial, and both can help contribute to feelings of fullness” (which, in turn, may help support satiety).* (6, 19)

Q: Getting enough sleep?

There’s no two ways about it: Sleep is important—and a consistent lack of sleep can have a negative impact (brain fog, anyone?). The good news: Better sleep hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated—simple hacks like keeping the bedroom dark and limiting screen time, especially leading up to bedtime, can go a long way.* (7)

Q: Does your plate include a lot of refined carbohydrates?

White bread. Pasta. Bagels. While delicious, refined carbs don’t do a whole lot of favors. Studies show that diets rich in refined carbohydrates are often associated with not-so-ideal impacts; since the body digests refined carbs quickly, it could be a factor in why someone might feel hungry frequently. We recommend cutting down on processed foods (like refined grains), and opting for a balanced diet rich in whole grains, protein, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.* (12, 13)

Q: How about your H20 habits?

Consider this a daily reminder to drink more water. Proper hydration is crucial for the body—so much so that sometimes, feelings of thirst can be mistaken for feelings of hunger. If someone is having trouble staying satisfied (or is noticing an increased appetite that’s probably not attributed to lack of eating), try drinking a glass of water and see if that helps.* (14, 15, 18)

Q: Got healthy fats?

Dietary fat has satiating properties. There are many nutrient-dense foods that can be consumed to help support healthy fat intake—for example, sardines, salmon, tuna, and other cold water fatty fish all contain omega-3 fatty acids, along with other healthy fats; extra virgin olive oil is another excellent source of healthy fats—and it’s vegan, to boot.* (16, 17)

The essential takeaway

Hunger is not something to ignore. It’s a sign the body needs more food (or care, like managing stress and getting quality shut-eye). In the end, we suggest embracing a healthy, mindful approach to wellness: eating when hungry, drinking when thirsty, maintaining good sleep hygiene, and limiting processed foods whenever possible. Of course, if you have any questions about hunger, satiety, or nutrition in general, we recommend reaching out to a healthcare provider.*

References

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2020 – 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 9th Edition. 2020.
2. National Academies of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). 2005.
3. Phillips SM. Current Concepts and Unresolved Questions in Dietary Protein Requirements and Supplements in Adults. Front Nutr. 2017 May 8;4:13.
4. Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance. Fact sheet for health professionals. 2019.
5. Thomas DT, Erdman KA, Burke LM. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016;116(3):501-528.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Interactive Nutrition Facts Label. Dietary Fiber Fact Sheet. March 2020.
7. Luyster, F. S., Strollo, P. J., Jr, Zee, P. C., Walsh, J. K., & Boards of Directors of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society (2012). Sleep: a health imperative. Sleep, 35(6), 727–734.
8. Taheri, S., Lin, L., Austin, D., Young, T., & Mignot, E. (2004). Short sleep duration. PLoS medicine, 1(3), e62.
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13. Yu, D., Shu, X. O., Li, H., Xiang, Y. B., Yang, G., Gao, Y. T., Zheng, W., & Zhang, X. (2013). Dietary carbohydrates, refined grains. American journal of epidemiology, 178(10), 1542–1549.
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15. Popkin, B. M., D'Anci, K. E., & Rosenberg, I. H. (2010). Water, hydration, and health. Nutrition reviews, 68(8), 439–458.
16. Samra RA. Fats and Satiety. In: Montmayeur JP, le Coutre J, editors. Fat Detection: Taste, Texture. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2010. Chapter 15.
17. Romani, A., Ieri, F., Urciuoli, S., Noce, A., Marrone, G., Nediani, C., & Bernini, R. (2019). Phenolic Compounds Found in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, By-Products, and Leaf of Olea europaea L. Nutrients, 11(8), 1776.
18. Ashok Kumar Vij V, Joshi A. Effect of excessive water intake. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2014;5(2): 340-344.
19. USDA, Agricultural Research Service, 2021. Usual Nutrient Intake from Food and Beverages, by Gender and Age, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2015-2018. 2021.
20. Paddon-Jones D, Westman E, Mattes R, Wolfe R, Astrup A, Westerterp-Plantenga M. Protein, and satiety. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2008;87(5):1558-1561.