Proven: an office job makes you extra hungry
Never let anyone tell you that you snack too much at your desk. A new study shows that having an office job, especially one that mentally challenges you, can lead to increased hunger. According to researchers, this is because we are often engaged in mentally taxing tasks during office hours, and those tasks lead to extra hunger.
Nutritionist Nuna Kamhawi says the following about this: ‘Every cell in our body needs energy to function. Our digestive system, our muscles, and even our brains consume energy during moments of complete relaxation. So it’s no surprise that when our organs work harder, they need more energy to function – and this applies not only to our muscles when we exercise, but also to our brains when we are deeply focused.’
The research showed that when we are focused and concentrated, this can possibly lead to the buildup of a certain substance in the front part of the brain, namely: the prefrontal cortex. This substance may be the reason for the signs of fatigue we experience after a long day of hard work.
Okay, it sounds logical that hard work makes you tired, but why does it make us hungry? Here’s the thing: intense thinking makes you tired, which means you need more energy that you can get from calories. This can lead to increased appetite during periods of stress. Although the buildup of that substance in the brain is centered around fatigue, our stress hormones also increase our appetite when we are tired.
And while it’s naturally very tempting to grab a handful from the eternal candy jar on your colleague's desk during a day at the office, you’re better off choosing snacks or meals with nutrients like complex carbohydrates (found in whole grain products) combined with a good source of protein such as fish, meat, or beans, and a source of fat like avocado or olive oil. Omega-3 is also a game changer when it comes to feeling full longer. You can find this especially in fatty fish like salmon or tuna and in products like walnuts and chia seeds. Lastly, it’s important to choose foods that contain antioxidants. Brightly colored vegetables and fruits (the brighter the color, the higher the concentration of antioxidants) are always a good idea, but I won’t tell anyone if you secretly grab a Mars bar during a long day.
Source: WomensHealthMag
Image: Netflix, The Bold Type
