An Electronic Mental Health Newsletter from Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. & Associates Volume 19, Number 6
We’ve all been there: one minute you’re enjoying your day, the next you’re snapping at a coworker, getting annoyed at traffic, or giving your loved ones the silent treatment—only to realize you haven’t eaten in hours. The answer: you’re hangry.
But what exactly is hangry, and why does skipping meals suddenly change us into a person that you would avoid at all costs? Read on for some answers from science and psychology and what you can do for this all-too-relatable phenomenon.
Also, be sure to read our latest blog: The Wall Telephone and a Question! here .
Hangry: How Hunger Affects Us!
I’m so sorry about what I said when I was hungry. – Anonymous
WHAT TO KNOW!
- Hangry is the portmanteau or mashup of “hungry” and “angry.”
- It describes the irritability/bad mood you get when you’re running low on food and patience.
- When you go too long without eating, glucose levels fall making it harder to control emotions and concentrate.
- Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released which can lead to the fight-or-flight response.
- Irritation intensifies as the emotional control center of the brain gets more reactive while the part of the brain that regulates impulses becomes sluggish.
- Behavioral signs of being hangry include:
- Irritability or mood swings
- Trouble focusing
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
- Sudden frustration or impatience
- Feeling like everyone around you is somehow more annoying than usual
- Studies have shown that hungry people are more likely to interpret neutral situations as negative and respond aggressively.
WHAT TO DO!
- Recognize when you are hangry; eat first and apologize later.
- Don’t skip meals and keep glucose levels stable by eating regularly and including protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
- Snack smart by keeping portable snacks on hand such as nuts, granola bars, fruit, or yogurt.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water several times a day.
- Check yourself if you are irritable and question when you ate last.
- Seek professional help if you are irritable and think your moods are not due to being hangry.
Want more tips on mood, health, and managing everyday stress?
Subscribe to our newsletter and never go hungry for insight again!
- Call us: 954-755-2885
- Email: DrKimmel@KimmelPsychology.com
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If you’re feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, you don’t have to face it alone.
Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. and Associates
5551 N University Drive, Suite 202
Coral Springs, FL 33067
As always, we are interested in your thoughts. If you would like to respond to this e-Letter, email your comments to DrKimmel@KimmelPsychology.com and we will publish them next month.
Till July…
The information provided in this electronic newsletter is not a substitute for professional treatment. It is the opinions of the writers and is provided solely for educational purposes. For mental health care, seek a qualified professional.
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© 2025 Joel I. Kimmel, Ph.D., P.A. and Associates
