After eating, my stomach still feels hungry

The feeling of hunger after meals may be related to insufficient food intake, imbalanced dietary structure, or gastrointestinal dysfunction. Common reasons include insufficient dietary fiber intake, rapid blood sugar fluctuations, abnormal gastric acid secretion, etc.

1. Insufficient food intake

When the total amount of food consumed is lower than the body's actual needs, even after completing the meal, the brain will continue to emit hunger signals. This situation is more common in people who deliberately diet to lose weight, or misjudge their own energy consumption. Suggest improving by increasing the proportion of whole grains, potatoes, and other foods that provide strong satiety.

2. Protein deficiency

High quality protein has a slower digestion rate and can prolong gastric emptying time. If there is a lack of protein sources such as meat, soy products, dairy products, etc. in the meal, it may lead to a rapid decrease in postprandial blood sugar. It is recommended to consume an appropriate amount of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, such as easily digestible proteins like eggs and fish, which are more suitable for individuals with gastrointestinal sensitivity.

3. Excessive refined carbohydrates

High glycemic index foods such as white rice and white bread can stimulate excessive insulin secretion, leading to reactive hypoglycemia. This sudden increase and decrease in blood sugar can trigger the excitation of the hunger center. It is recommended to replace refined white rice and flour with mixed grain rice, and to use sufficient vegetables to delay sugar absorption.

4. Hypermotility of gastrointestinal tract

Accelerated gastric emptying may be caused by pathological conditions such as chronic gastritis and hyperthyroidism. When there is an abnormal increase in gastric acid secretion, food is digested and emptied too quickly, which may lead to postprandial heartburn and false hunger. Organic diseases such as peptic ulcers need to be ruled out through gastroscopy examination.

5. Abnormal hormone regulation

Leptin resistance or dysregulation of ghrelin secretion can lead to impaired satiety signal transduction, commonly seen in people who stay up late for a long time and experience excessive stress. This type of situation requires adjusting the daily routine, and if necessary, testing blood sugar and thyroid function to rule out the possibility of metabolic diseases.

Persistent postprandial hunger induction screening for potential problems such as pre diabetes and helicobacter pylori infection. In daily life, a strategy of eating small meals and multiple meals can be adopted, with an appropriate amount of nuts or Greek yogurt as an interlude for each meal. Avoiding distracting behaviors such as eating and working at the same time, and focusing on chewing can enhance the reception of satiety signals. If adjusting diet for two weeks does not improve, it is recommended to undergo gastroscopy and glucose tolerance testing to determine the cause.