18 February 2013 - Hangry

Hangry is a term that has been coined to describe a negative change in emotional state caused by hunger.
A person who is Hangry is not just hungry and angry. The two are intertwined and feeding off of one another.

I am not a person who copes with being hangry well.

When I reach the point of hanger I lash out at my loved ones (usually my unsuspecting husband), think negative thoughts and then lose all ability to make rational or healthy food choices. Anything will do to calm the beast.

I have noticed lately that I am reaching this state more often as the running training has revved up my metabolism to a point that I need to eat more often than I have been used to in the past. I'm also often heading out the door in the morning and won't return after a very full day of work, uni and the gym. So I decided I needed an action plan to avoid becoming hangry.

1. Always have snacks on you. My favourite handbag snack is a Carmens muesli bar. They are tasty, filling and full of natural healthy goodness.

2. Plan ahead. Plan a full days meals if you need to. When you have time to pre-prepare meals and snacks ready to grab quickly as you're rushing out the door. I recently bought a great cooler style lunch box and some icepack to keep a days worth of meals on me at the times I need to.

3. Drink Water. Often we can mistake thirst for hunger. Or being simultaneously dehydrated will only make your hanger worse. Stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle with you at all times.

And the most important advice. If you do end up hangry. Once you've eaten. Apologize for any collateral damage that may have been done.