AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON STRONG HUNGER

Both physical and emotional imbalances can masquerade as feelings of strong hunger, so there is no easy answer in Ayurveda. The most common causes for an excess appetite include a thick kapha blood, fiery pitta-type metabolism, malabsorption, and trauma (Vata).

High Metabolism

Metabolic hyperactivity can burn up nutrients and cause ravenous hunger. The teenage athlete who comes home from practice and eats everything in the fridge is a good example of such an appetite, typical of high pitta. Cooling the blood through foods that depress metabolic activity and avoiding midday sun and heat can be helpful strategies in quieting a high metabolism.

Vagus Nerve

An under or overstimulated vagus nerve may be the cause of your hunger. Rubbing behind the ears and deep belly breathing stimulate this nerve and can relax feelings of ravenous hunger.

Malabsorption

A Vata person with poor digestion may become ravenous when they are unable to absorb adequate nutrients from their food. The signs of poor absorption include gas, loose stools, or large bulky stools. This type of hunger is associated with weight loss. Read more about malabsorption on our page and listen to our talk on malabsorption for more healing remedies.

Parasites & Candida

Parasites love sugary food and stimulate cravings for sweets. They simply cannot survive for long periods of time without access to easily digestible sugary foods, which can cause sudden hunger for sweet, simple sugars.

Poor Circulation

In a Kapha person, strong food cravings may come from "sweet" thick blood blocking circulation to the extremities and skin. When the circulation to the periphery is blocked, blood circulates strongly in the core, causing a person to feel overheated in the chest but cool in the extremities. When the chest overheats, so does digestion, and the person becomes extremely hungry. Addressing this underlying circulation imbalance will often ease uncomfortable hunger.

Low Energy

Many people associate low energy with hunger. True, sometimes fatigue is the direct result of malnourishment. In todays morning world, however, exhaustion is far more likely a symptom of exhausted adrenals. Reaching for food or something sweet every time you feel like you need an energy boost cannot replenish your adrenal energy.

Sometimes, fatigue is a sign of poor circulation. Sweet, rich, thick Kapha blood which circulates poorly and depresses metabolism, and making you feel sad, tired, and low energy.

Emotional Eating and Anxiety

Stress, anxiety, past trauma, and other insecurities can make you eat. Food is comforting. It brings your racing mind back to earth. A better strategy when you are feeling stressed or anxious is to drink a warm cup of herbal tea, which is grounding and soothes the emotional appetite. If hunger persists, eating something light and nourishing might do the trick.

Irritation

Burning pain above the belly button in the epigastric area can be mistaken for hunger, especially because eating usually relieves the pain temporarily. A fiery pitta person becomes ravenous when stress causes hyperacidity and excess bile, which quickly digests the food.

Hypoglycemia

Frequent consumption of simple carbs and sugars causes blood sugar instability, which leads to strong sugar cravings. Ayurveda helps you balance blood sugar and find energy stability without frequent snacking.