What Causes Trembling When Hungry?

When a person is hungry his body undergoes a variety of processes for conserving energy and signifying the need for new food intake. One of the most notable symptoms of hunger is trembling or shaking that can often seem uncontrollable. This trembling may be similar to shivering exhibited when the body is cold, or it may manifest in bouts of restlessness or anxious tics. When the body begins to tremble from hunger, it is a sign that more serious symptoms may be on the horizon.

Hunger and the Body

The body exhibits many different symptoms when it begins to run low on energy from food. You may notice a sense of fatigue, a dull pain in your abdomen, a growling sound that seems to originate from your stomach, cramping and trembling when you haven't eaten enough food. These are only a few of the many ways that hunger can make itself known to the body. Many of these changes are the result of natural processes that are meant to put the body into a motivational state that will seek sustenance and increase available energy.

Causes of Trembling

Dieting and Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

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Trembling is generally caused by an imbalance in blood sugar. When the body's blood sugar becomes too low, mild tremors can begin to occur all across the body. This can lead to chattering teeth, restless legs and jittery hands. This trembling is naturally tied to your blood sugar level and can be prevented or reversed by bringing blood sugar levels back to a normal level. Tremors can be made worse by fatigue, stress and existing illness. Trembling can also be caused by use of stimulants or diet pills which can affect your blood sugar and change natural sensations of hunger.

Preventing Hunger Trembling

There are a variety of methods that can be used to combat and prevent trembling from hunger. The most obvious preventative measure is to keep a regular eating schedule. You may need to adjust the number of meals you eat each day to account for personal experiences with hunger and trembling. Some people with hypoglycemia or diabetes eat 5 or 6 small meals a day to ensure that their blood sugar levels always stay at a healthy level. Increasing physical activity can help regulate your blood sugar and increase blood flow to extremities that may experience trembling or tics during periods of rest. A proper sleeping schedule that includes 6 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep will also help your body function at its highest efficiency.

Healthy Eating

Behavioral Signs of Low Blood Sugar

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Diet plays a big role in the sensation of hunger. Certain foods are naturally more sating than others and every food has a specific effect on levels of blood sugar throughout the body. Keep a close eye on the amount of refined sugar you consume each day. With each large dose of sugar comes an eventual crash in sugar levels. This means that a candy bar in the middle of the day can quickly lead to extremely low blood sugar levels. Balance out your consumption of sugars with healthy fats and proteins to keep blood sugar from fluctuating too much 2.