Hunger is often treated as a test of discipline.
If you feel hungry soon after eating, the assumption is usually that you ate too much, too little, or the “wrong” thing.
But from a longevity perspective, constant hunger is not a willpower issue.
It is a biological signal.
After 40, frequent hunger — especially paired with cravings, irritability, low energy, or poor concentration — often points to blood sugar instability and stress physiology. When the body cannot maintain steady fuel, it compensates by releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to keep you going.
Over time, this state quietly accelerates ageing.
Repeated blood sugar dips increase inflammation, disrupt sleep, impair insulin sensitivity, and place extra demand on the nervous system. This doesn’t just affect weight or energy — it directly shortens healthspan.
This is why grazing all day or constantly snacking rarely solves the problem. Hunger isn’t always a sign you need more food. It’s often a sign you need better nourishment and better timing.
In longevity-focused cultures, hunger is rare between meals. Not because people restrict, but because meals are structured to sustain energy: adequate protein, fibre-rich vegetables, healthy fats, and regular eating rhythms that signal safety to the body.
When meals are balanced, blood sugar remains steady. When blood sugar is steady, hunger quiets, energy stabilises, and the body can shift out of survival mode and into repair and maintenance — the true foundations of longevity.
Feeling hungry all the time is not something to push through or ignore.
It’s information.
Listening to that signal — and responding with nourishment rather than restriction — is one of the most powerful ways to protect long-term health after 40.
If you’re experiencing frequent hunger, cravings, or energy crashes despite eating “well,” personalised nutrition support can help uncover what your body is asking for. I am currently welcoming a limited number of one-to-one clients focused on blood sugar balance, metabolic health, and longevity-focused nutrition.
Longevity is not built through control.
It’s built through understanding and support.
Warmly,
Milvia Pili, FNTP
Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
