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Feeling so hungry that you can begin to sense intense rage brewing up inside of you is an emotion that the majority of us can probably relate to.
Many may assume that “hanger”, the combination of feeling hungry and angry, is a slang term that was coined with absolutely no scientific basis.
However, according to a scientist, “hanger” is in fact a real emotion that is triggered by our body’s physical response to craving food.
Sophie Medlin, a lecturer in nutrition and dietetics from King’s College, London, outlined the connection between hunger and anger.
“We’ve long recognised that hunger leads to irritability in science,” she said during a recent episode of Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 .
“But the wonderful world of social media has merged the two words for us and now we know it as ‘hanger’.
“When our blood sugars drop, cortisol and adrenaline rise up in our bodies - our fight or flight hormones.”
Six healthy breakfast recipes to tryShow all 6 1 /6Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Six healthy breakfast recipes to try You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost.
Method:
1) Cook your turkey breast so that it’s ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as it’s healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C.
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Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats.
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Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon
Method
1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon.
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Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurt’s credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.
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Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation.
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Six healthy breakfast recipes to try So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of “healthy fats”, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day.
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The release of these hormones can in turn affect the brain, due to the secretion of neuropeptides that control the brain’s chemicals.
“The ones that trigger for hunger are the same ones that trigger for anger and rage and impulsive type behaviours,” Ms Medlin said.
“So that’s why you get that same sort of response.”
Furthermore, reduced levels of glucose in the brain, which occurs when we’re feeling hungry, can make it difficult for us to have control over our emotions and ability to concentrate.
“This lack of concentration can affect everything we do, causing silly mistakes that we’d never normally make,” said Ella Carter and Philip Watts, writers for science and technology magazine How It Works .
“Complying with what’s socially acceptable becomes much harder, which is why you are more likely to snap at someone.”
In January, it was announced that the word “hangry” had officially been added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
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