Hunger Games – Paying the Price

While it’s not based on a randomized controlled trial, it’s indisputable: certain members of my family share a particular trait — they get crabby, irritable, or just plain hard to get along with when hungry. Some call it hangry — that mix of hunger and anger that turns a mild-mannered person into someone you’d rather not sit next to at dinner. Whatever the label, it’s not pleasant — for them or anyone nearby.

But being hangry isn’t just a personality quirk. It’s biology. Our brains run on glucose — sugar — to think clearly, manage stress, and regulate emotions. When blood sugar dips too low, patience, focus, and good humor drop like the New Year’s ball in Times Square. A snack can fix a momentary mood swing, but for many Americans, hunger isn’t a fleeting inconvenience — it’s a daily reality.

When Hunger Hits Home
During the Great Depression, the U.S. government launched its first Food Stamp Program to help both struggling families and farmers. Revived and expanded in the 1960s, it evolved into what we now know as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The 2008 name change reflected a broader purpose — not just filling stomachs, but promoting nutrition, health, and dignity.

Today, more than 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, according to the USDA. Nearly 40% are kids under 18, and about one in five are seniors over 60. And despite the stereotypes, most SNAP recipients aren’t sitting idle — they’re working. They’re the cashiers scanning your purchases, the childcare workers watching your kids, the delivery drivers bringing your dinner, and the home health aides caring for aging parents. They keep the country running, but even full-time work doesn’t always fill the pantry.

And the average SNAP benefit comes to about $6.17 a day — less than what it costs to eat a healthy diet in much of the U.S.

Empty Plates, Full Stress
When SNAP benefits are delayed, reduced, or placed on hold, the effects ripple fast. Grocery sales dip. Families stretch what little they have, often at the expense of nutrition. Many turn to food pantries — even through the sting of stigma. And that constant worry about food seeps into every part of life — straining relationships, fueling anxiety, and even showing up at work.

Hunger doesn’t just affect mood; it affects performance and safety. Low blood sugar clouds concentration, slows reaction time, and drains energy. Workers who are hungry are more likely to make mistakes, experience fatigue, or get injured on the job. Productivity drops, and so does morale.

The health toll is just as real. Adults without reliable access to nutritious food face higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Children struggling with hunger often fall behind in school. Seniors facing food insecurity risk malnutrition, weakened immunity, and cognitive decline — making it harder to live independently.

Beyond the Hangry
This week, President Trump announced lower prices for GLP-1 drugs — medications used for diabetes, weight management, and other conditions. Lower prices are welcome news, but they only address part of the problem. Medicine can manage symptoms, but it can’t replace the foundation of health: access to nutritious, affordable food.

The true cost of hunger isn’t just the annoyance of a hangry family member. Hunger drives up healthcare costs, lowers workplace productivity, and harms mental health. Living with food insecurity, even for a week, takes a real toll on families, workers, and communities.

Ensuring access to healthy, reliable food is a shared responsibility — for employers, unions, and policymakers alike. Until every plate is full, the real Hunger Games aren’t over.

Happy reading,
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.

Enjoy the weekend!

Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]

News you can trust