Potential Causes For Sudden Random Hunger In Women

Our body talks to us through signals. Hunger is supposed to be a signal from your body telling you that it needs nourishment, but what if you’re suddenly voraciously hungry all the time? If you find yourself wanting to eat everything in sight, or finding yourself not feeling full despite eating the way you normally do, there are several explanations.

If your appetite randomly increases and you find yourself googling “suddenly hungry all the time female,” it’s important to listen to your body and take stock of your overall lifestyle so you can figure out how to meet your nutritional needs, and whether or not something else is going on. Remember – if it feels like a cause for concern, you should consult with your doctor.

Here are some potential reasons for a sudden spike of hunger in women.

When Diet And Lifestyle Increases Your Appetite

Your body may send signals, but it can’t tell you exactly what to do. In situations where there are no apparent medical issues, it may be your diet and lifestyle that is driving up your appetite. Here are some reasons why your body may be calling for extra nutrition:

A Nutritional Deficit (Even If You’re Not in a Caloric One)

Protein, fiber, and fat are important nutrients that help you feel full after you eat. If you’re not getting enough of these components, you may feel unsatiated even if you’re eating plenty of calories. Protein is an essential building block of your immune system, cells, and hormones.

Regular adults should aim for 0.8 grams of protein per body weight. This means that if you weigh 125 pounds, you should be getting around 100 grams of protein per day. If you’re a vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, you should research ways to add protein to your diet. Making sure you have enough fiber, protein, and fat in your diet will help you feel full and meet your nutritional needs.

Not Sleeping Enough

Sleep deprivation has been documented to increase hunger. When you don’t get enough sleep, your ghrelin levels (which are responsible for stimulating your appetite) go up. Aim for at least 7 to 9 hours per night for sleep.

Thirst

If you’re one of those people who hate drinking water, it’s time to start. It may be that you’re confusing thirst with hunger, as the sensations are quite similar, and your brain may be getting them mixed up. If you’re feeling weak or lightheaded, you may think that you need food, but it may be your body asking for some hydration.

Stress and Emotional Eating

We all have different ways of dealing with stress. Some people may completely lose their appetite, while others find themselves reaching for the ice cream. Our bodies are wired to release “happy chemicals” when we eat foods that are especially fatty or sweet, and this response may be reinforced when you eat to cope with depression, anxiety, and sadness. 

Eating Too Many Processed Foods and Refined Carbs

Processed foods that are high in salt and sugar will fill up your caloric intake really fast, but they may actually make you feel hungrier – you end up craving more processed foods (which are designed to keep us coming back). Eating too many refined carbs or ultra-processed foods can also make it difficult to get enough nutrients in your body, so your body may start crying out for nutrition by sending more hunger signals.

Restrictive Eating or Heightened Activity Levels

You may simply not be eating enough. If you’ve started a new diet, it’s natural to find yourself hungrier than before because you’re not getting enough calories for it to maintain your weight. While this may be expected when you are purposely restricting your caloric intake for the goal of weight loss, it’s important to make sure you are still getting all your proper nutrients and consult with a nutritionist to meet your goals. 

If you’re exercising or moving around a lot more than before, then your body will need more fuel. Make sure you get enough protein to build muscle and hit your fitness goals. 

Medical Reasons For Increased Appetite

If you haven’t made any diet or lifestyle changes, or if you’re already eating a well-rounded healthy diet, and experience a sudden spike in appetite, there may be a more serious underlying problem. Make sure to consult with your doctor, who may order a series of tests to figure out what is behind your hunger.

Medications

Certain medications may increase your appetite. Some common medications that can make you feel hungrier than usual include:

• Atypical antipsychotics like resperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine
• Steroid medications like prednisone
• Gabapentin and other medications that help with seizures

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) causes your metabolism to spike and your body to burn through more calories than normal. Graves’ disease, for example, is a type of hypothyroidism that sends your body into overdrive, resulting in symptoms like constant hungry, anxiety, and sweatiness. 

Pregnancy

While some people may experience a loss of appetite or nausea in their early pregnancy, others may find themselves extra hungry. If you’re not getting morning sickness, hunger can be one of the first signs that you are pregnant.