New study reveals 'hangry' is an actual thing

A new study has found there is a definite link between being hungry and getting angry.

The research, completed by a team of scientists in Austria, involved 64 participants who scored their anger and hunger levels over a 21 day period.

Results showed there is evidence that "everyday levels of hunger are associated with negative emotionality and supports the notion of being hangry".

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So to minimise the chance of becoming "hangry", nutritionist Lyndi Cohen told Today Extra switching to lower GI foods and referring to a hunger scale can help.

"Think about your hunger like a petrol tank - from zero to 10 and 10 is when you are too empty," she said.

"A lot of people let themselves get to the point of being ravenously hungry and then they end up overeating and that is not good either."

Lyndi said by letting yourself get to the middle of the hunger scale and "a little bit hungry" this will stop you overeating and feel more comfortable after a meal.

When someone becomes "hangry", Lyndi said they have lower concentration, low energy and low blood sugar levels as well if waiting too long before their next meal.

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"The overeating thing happens as well," she said.

"A lot of people do this thing where you get home after a busy day at work and then face plant into the kitchen and suddenly you feel like you can't stop eating."

To prevent this, Lyndi suggested having a pre-commute snack or have something like a muesli bar in the car, especially if you have kids on the way home from school.

"That way, by the time you arrive home you don't want to eat everything," she said.

Watch the full segment above

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