Why do we get hungry?

1. 1

   Clover says

   After a meal, your tummy gets busy, and bit by bit it empties out. When it's nearly empty, it sends a message up to your brain: time to eat! Your brain turns that message into the feeling we call hungry. Once you've eaten, the message goes quiet again.

   For ages 4–7
   Hear Clover

   Checked against Ghrelin, the hunger hormone (Cleveland Clinic)

2. 2

   Why does my body want food again so soon?

   Your stomach turns food into a runny mix, and your small intestine passes the goodness into your blood. Blood carries it all around you as energy and nutrients, the things your body needs. You keep using that energy as you run, play and grow. So after a while, your body is ready for more.

   For ages 6–9
   Hear Clover

   Checked against Your Digestive System (KidsHealth)

3. 3

   What is the message my tummy sends?

   Your stomach makes a chemical messenger called ghrelin. When your stomach is empty, it lets out more ghrelin, and a part of your brain called the hypothalamus picks up the message. There's usually the most ghrelin just before mealtimes. After you eat, the ghrelin goes down again.

   For ages 8–11
   Hear Clover

   Checked against Ghrelin, the hunger hormone (Cleveland Clinic)

In Lil' Phil, reaching the bottom of this wonder earns a sticker for Clover's collection.

• 

  Why does my tummy rumble?

  Ages 4–9Clover
• 

  Why eat lots of different coloured foods?

  Ages 4–11Clover