Snickers said it best: You’re not you when you’re hungry.
According to scientific studies discussed in a recent post from ScaryMommy, Brain Scanner columnist Simon Oxenham says the hangry struggle is all too real.
Here’s the deal: When you wait too long in between meals, your body’s blood glucose level drops, releasing stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and neuropeptide Y, resulting in aggressive behavior and mood swings.
Yikes. Not a good thing for harried and busy moms. That is a bomb waiting to happen!
When and what you eat dictates how you respond to the people around you and your overall experience, and this could have something to do with the fact that, between television commercials, diet programs, and food porn spamming social media, consumption is an aconstant concern.
Claude Tellis, co-founder of VeganSmart, tells Elite Daily,
We are constantly planning our days around food and meals; it has become a conscious thing that we think about often. So if we don’t have food, it can ruin our day.
That’s why now, many people pack snacks whether it’s string cheese, almonds, or an apple. Not because we are afraid to starve to death, but because we know how the lack of food for a short period can affect our emotions and experiences.
Sound familiar?
Don’t let the lack of snacking get in the way of your good time! Next time you’re on the move doing your thing, grab any of these foods to stop the hangry struggle before it starts.
1. Granola
Whether you love the bars or the cereal, granola is one of the easiest on-the-go snacks to toss in your bag and pick at on your commute.
These Greenola Carrot Cake Granola pouch at Lazada is great for munching, made with the best whole food ingredients to sustain energy throughout the day.
2. Protein Bars
Personally, I’m all about the new Quest Bar Cookies and Cream for a quick pick-me-up between meals.
Unlike dense meal replacement options that taste like straight protein powder, this brand’s ingredient list is simple and wholesome, and has no sugar added and sugar alcohol.
Quest protein bar is low in carbs and calories, high in Fiber, and this bar boasts a whopping 20-21g of protein to keep you full and thriving.
3. Popcorn
Popcorn is the real MVP when it comes to on-the-go indulgences (except when you take off your bra later and popcorn crumbs rain down onto your feet).
It’s delicious, airy, and you can add all kinds of spices to satisfy your taste buds.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, mix a baggie of popcorn with a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips, and sprinkle some cinnamon on top, if you’re into it. #snackheaven
4. Fruit
Healthy and hearty, you can never go wrong with popping produce on-the-go. Don’t roll your eyes! You need this.
Fruit like bananas, apples, pears, or a baggie of grapes will survive the best in your purse. I put together those dried fruits at the grocery. There’s mangoes, prunes, raisins, papaya, yumm, tasty!
5. DIY Trail Mix
Most store-bought bags tend to include a bunch of excessive sugar and salt.
Make your own trail mix to snack on when hangry cravings get heinous, mixing together a tablespoon of raisins or M&Ms if you need a chocolate fix, along with almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. I usually buy the cheapest ones, go to Divi to buy the big bags and just divide them for easy snacking! (Actually a great #kumikitangkabuhayan idea too.)
6. Peanuts
They’re available everywhere. Even the friendly Manong outside the grocery can give you a cup for P20. Cheap and delicious, you can have it salty or sweet, or spicy!
Coupled with some fried garlic, hangry gone.
7. Peanut Butters
Anything rich in nut butters tastes like a treat and will keep you full for hours.
Or, go ahead and get a little jar of your favorite peanut butter to stash in your purse and treat yourself to little spoonfuls of the good stuff throughout the day. Ain’t no shame in that game, girl.
Happy(not ) snacking, friends!
Read more: 7 Snacks To Take On-The-Go Because Science Says The Hangry Struggle Is RealÂ