Hangry is for real!

Do thoughts of delicious food bring out the hulk in you when hungry? I’ll raise my hand!

If you know someone who has experienced ‘hanger’, like me, (the condition of becoming particularly irritable when hungry), it might be time to cut them some slack. Or perhaps just cut them a slice of cake. It may sound like an excuse to either fly off the handle, or snack at will for the sake of peace, but scientists say ‘hanger’ is a genuine phenomenon.

Sophie Medlin, lecturer in nutrition and dietetics at King’s College, London, told Radio Four’s Woman’s Hour recently, “We’ve long recognized that hunger leads to irritability, but the wonderful world of social media has merged the two words and we now know it as ‘hanger’.”

And, (here comes the science bit) “When our blood sugars drop, cortisol and adrenaline rise up in our bodies – our fight or flight hormones.” These then cause the release of neuropeptides, which affect the way the brain works. “The ones that trigger for hunger are the same ones that trigger for anger and rage. So that’s why you get that sort of same response,” she explains. So now you know!

And if all that has made you hungry, well, I wouldn’t want you to start your week in a bad mood. Please enjoy this recipe for my favorite easy Granola Bars.

In a large bowl, mix the following ingredients (I use my hands, it’s easier):

• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

Press flat into a 9×13 inch greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want them. Lightly browned just around the edges will give you moist, chewy bars. Let cool for 5 minutes, cut into squares then let cool completely before serving. Enjoy 🙂

Up and up!