Do you reach out for a snack each time you hear your stomach growl, or experience a bit of wooziness or feel the onset of a pounding headache? In actuality, what can feel like a major hunger pang is nothing but thirst. A fine line separates the two, and being able to tell the difference can help you stay on track with your weight loss and fitness goals.
What do you do when you feel hungry? Like most people do you go searching for ready-to-eat or packaged foods or do you reach out for a glass of water? The next time you get a stomach pang, first think whether you are really hungry or just thirsty.
Here are some common hunger symptoms :
☆Your stomach feels totally empty
☆It begins to gurgle or rumble
☆You feel dizzy, woozy, lightheaded and faint
☆You head starts to ache
☆You get snappy and irritable
☆You find it difficult to concentrate
☆You might also experience nausea and hyperacidity
Clinical studies have shown that 37% of people mistake hunger for thirst because thirst signals can be weak. If you are a kidney disease patient, on a fluid restrictive diet, this can be a bigger problem . Always follow these restrictions, but also make sure your body is getting enough fluid.
Common thirst symptoms include :
☆Your skin feels extremely dry
☆Your eyes feel dry and itchy
☆You feel tired and sluggish
☆You lack energy, zest and drive
☆You experience headaches, dizziness and nausea
☆Your heart rate increases and you get palpitations
Since many symptoms overlap you can easily get confused between hunger and thirst. It is always best to assess these feelings when you have them and think about what you’ve eaten or how much water you have consumed during the day.
These helpful reminders will help you to keep your food cravings in check:
☆Do not wait until you’re parched to drink water. Stay well hydrated throughout the day in order to curb food cravings. Try to reach your daily water allowance by 7pm. Any water you drink after 7pm will be a bonus
☆Listen to your best guide - your body. Don’t be tempted to reach for any snack at the first sign of “hunger.” To figure out if that feeling is hunger or thirst, drink a glass of water and wait 15 minutes. If you are truly hungry, you might still feel a stomach pang, whereas if you were just thirsty, you’ll feel satisfied.
☆Choose kidney-friendly foods when truely hungry. Fiber-rich snacks, which are low in fat and high in antioxidants, are a great option to help chronic kidney patients stay within protein, phosphorus, sodium and potassium guidelines. Eg include apples, berries, cherries, cranberries, red and purple grapes, red bell peppers and carrots.
☆Remember that dehydration kills faster than starvation. The "Survival Rule of 3" is generally valid here - 3 weeks without food BUT 3 days without water
Stay hydrated...stay blessed with good health...always!!!
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