Why HANGRY is a Real Thing

Nobody really knows who came up with the word “hangry” first – it’s only been a couple of years since it was officially considered a real word in the dictionary, but people have actually been saying it as early as the 1950s. But no matter who it was, it’s probably safe to assume that the first person who ever said “hangry” was definitely feeling it at the moment! We all know how hard it is to think of anything else when you’re in that wild state of being both “hungry” and “angry”, so maybe that person’s brain just went ahead and combined those two words instead of coming up with a longer explanation. 

In any case, being hangry has always been a very real part of our lives. When the body feels the need for food but doesn’t get it at the right time, we can reach the point when a perfectly pleasant person turns into an irritable monster. Basically, that’s when our brain is alerted to the sensation of an empty stomach, or that our blood sugar or glucose levels have become too low.¹  More than the simple reason of not having the energy that the body needs, studies also point to a psychological link – the hungrier we are, the more susceptible we are to negative or unpleasant emotions.² And when we’re hungry enough to get into a really bad mood, our hangry selves can emerge.

For most people, these incredible Hulk moments are just occasional episodes that can go away with any meal. But always being hangry can also be an indicator of something more serious. It could be hypoglycemia, which means that blood sugar levels weren’t stabilized, or that the body made too much insulin.³ Or it could also be diabetes, the chronic condition that involves those abnormally high blood sugar levels.

In particular, “hanger” could be what Type 2 diabetics experience as excessive hunger, even when they eat regularly.⁴ With this type of diabetes, the body can’t regulate blood sugar levels because it can’t use insulin effectively.⁵ So when the body can’t get the energy it needs, diabetics just think that they’re hungry and they need to eat more.⁶ Sounds familiar, right?

If it sounds too familiar for comfort, you might want to prevent it from happening again! Doctors recommend eating small, well-balanced meals every few hours, so always be ready with a healthy snack – a good mix of carbohydrates protein, and fiber can definitely help.⁷

But if you’re still hangry all the time, then maybe it’s time to visit your doctor and get tested. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that often develops gradually, so nearly 1 in 5 adults don’t even know that they have it!⁵ You can also watch out for other symptoms, like excessive thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, slow healing of wounds, or even blurry vision.⁶ It’s definitely a good idea to detect it early – when left unchecked, diabetes could be a silent killer that leads to very serious, life-threatening complications.⁸ That would be a bigger disaster than any hangry moment!

If you've diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by a doctor or deal with health conditions that predispose you to it, InLife She Cares is a 3-in-1 solution that can help you manage it financially. 

REFERENCES

(1) Hunger, Fullness, and Appetite Signals (2019).

(2) Are you really you when you're hungry? (2018).

(3) Can You Have Hypoglycemia Without Having Diabetes? (2016).

(4) Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms (2019).

(5) What is Diabetes? (2020).

(6) Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms and Early Warning Signs (2019).

(7) Is it ‘Hanger’ or Low Blood Sugar? (2015).

(8) Could You Have Type 2? 10 Diabetes Symptoms (2016).