Hangry (adj) : irritable or angry because of hunger.

Okay, hands up if you can relate: You’re busy, you’re stressed, and suddenly everything feels like the end of the world and then you have lunch and you’re back to being a happy camper.

Is that you? Then you’re likely someone who deals with hangriness.

Remembering to feed ourselves properly impacts every single area of our life (More on this here) and if you are someone who gets hangry on a regular basis, there is hope.

So is Hangry, like, a Scientific Term?

Not exactly, but there is a very real reason it can happen.

When blood sugar levels drop, it triggers the release of several different hormones, including cortisol (The stress hormone) and adrenaline (What causes fight or flight). Because this is leftover from the days when we had to fight sabertooth tigers for our next meal, low blood sugar can actually trigger aggression in some people.

Low blood sugar can also lower our impulse control and therefore may make you more likely to snap at someone than keep it to yourself.

Other low blood sugar effects include sleepiness, poor coordination, difficulty making decisions, and poor concentration.

How to Avoid Getting Hangry

The impulse may be to book it to the nearest drive-through and scarf something down STAT.

However, there are a lot of things that you can do to actually mitigate and avoid the meltdown from happening in the first place.

1. Eat Regularly- Make sure you’re eating regular meals to keep your blood sugar levels as consistent and stable as possible. Including healthy proteins at those times helps to keep blood sugars balanced as well.

2. Have Healthy Snacks Handy AT ALL TIMES- Keep a stash of ready to go healthy snacks on hand at all times. An apple, nuts, dried fruit, or a protein bar are good options that can easily be brought with you to grab when you start to feel your blood sugar drop.

3. Reduce Your Sugar Intake- Eating a lot of sugar can lead to more dramatic blood sugar spikes and drops. If you find you get hangry very suddenly and often, take a look at what you’re eating to see if too much sugar could be a factor.

4. Get in Tune with Your Body’s Cues- Take note of what your body’s hunger cues are so that you can notice them before you reach peak hangry.

5. Be Mindful- When you find yourself feeling super irritable, it’s a great idea to check in to how your blood sugar is feeling before reacting on anything. Snack first. You can always address any conflicts with someone later on once you’re feeling more yourself.