How do I defeat hunger and stay on calorie diet

Thanks

Replies

  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    eat foods that have a good calorie to volume ratio. Lots of veggies and meats. Try lean gains type intermittent fasting.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    These are my really general tips for hunger:

    1. Make sure that your calorie goals are actually set appropriately. Don't skip this step. A lot of people set goals that are too aggressive and then wonder why they're having a hard time. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/819055/setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    2. Look for foods higher in protein, fat, and fiber. These help us stay full and more satisfied longer. If you're using MFP's default settings, try to consider protein, fat, and fiber as minimums to reach every day rather than maximums to stay below.

    3. Drink plenty of fluids. Some people really do confuse thirst and hunger.

    4. Get plenty of rest. This includes sleeping enough and taking rest days from the exercise. Sometimes our bodies look for food when they're exhausted.

    5. Play around with your meal timings. Some people do really well on 5-6 small meals a day and others feel like they want to gnaw their own arm off eating like that. Skipping breakfast, eating breakfast, 16:8 fasting, 6 small meals, 3 larger meals, snacks, no snacks, meal timing won't make a big difference to your weight loss, but it may help your hunger levels, mood, concentration, gym performance, etc. throughout the day. Don't be afraid to try a different way and see if it helps.

    6. Wait it out. If you know you're eating enough and the other steps above aren't helping, you may just have to wait it out. Our bodies send out hunger signals partially out of habit. If you eat at a certain time every day your body will start to get hungry at that time. The good news is that these signals can be retrained to stop telling you to be hungry all the time. The bad news is that you may just have to be hungry for a little bit while that happens.

    7. I also think it's important to remember that there's a habitual component to hunger. This goes along with point #6, but if you eat because you're bored or you're used to eating in front of the TV or in the car or whatever it is, then you can replace those habits with others that are better for you. Things like keeping water on hand to sip instead of snacking or picking up hobbies that keep your hands busy or that get you out of the house more can help out a little while you're retraining your hunger cues. You might need to pay attention to why you're eating/hungry or what you're feeling when you eat and try to replace food with other things, but it can be really beneficial over time.
  • barbecuesauce
    barbecuesauce Posts: 1,771 Member
    eat foods that have a good calorie to volume ratio. Lots of veggies and meats. Try lean gains type intermittent fasting.

    I do 16:8 IF. No breakfast. I eat the same salad every day. Dinner is often lean meat/fish, potatoes, and a vegetable. Snacks are generally where I get my fats--peanut butter and cheese keep me full. I don't usually have the urge to snack after I finish my calories, but if I'm super hungry, I eat up to maintenance.
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,254 Member
    These are my really general tips for hunger:

    1. Make sure that your calorie goals are actually set appropriately. Don't skip this step. A lot of people set goals that are too aggressive and then wonder why they're having a hard time. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/819055/setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

    2. Look for foods higher in protein, fat, and fiber. These help us stay full and more satisfied longer. If you're using MFP's default settings, try to consider protein, fat, and fiber as minimums to reach every day rather than maximums to stay below.

    3. Drink plenty of fluids. Some people really do confuse thirst and hunger.

    4. Get plenty of rest. This includes sleeping enough and taking rest days from the exercise. Sometimes our bodies look for food when they're exhausted.

    5. Play around with your meal timings. Some people do really well on 5-6 small meals a day and others feel like they want to gnaw their own arm off eating like that. Skipping breakfast, eating breakfast, 16:8 fasting, 6 small meals, 3 larger meals, snacks, no snacks, meal timing won't make a big difference to your weight loss, but it may help your hunger levels, mood, concentration, gym performance, etc. throughout the day. Don't be afraid to try a different way and see if it helps.

    6. Wait it out. If you know you're eating enough and the other steps above aren't helping, you may just have to wait it out. Our bodies send out hunger signals partially out of habit. If you eat at a certain time every day your body will start to get hungry at that time. The good news is that these signals can be retrained to stop telling you to be hungry all the time. The bad news is that you may just have to be hungry for a little bit while that happens.

    7. I also think it's important to remember that there's a habitual component to hunger. This goes along with point #6, but if you eat because you're bored or you're used to eating in front of the TV or in the car or whatever it is, then you can replace those habits with others that are better for you. Things like keeping water on hand to sip instead of snacking or picking up hobbies that keep your hands busy or that get you out of the house more can help out a little while you're retraining your hunger cues. You might need to pay attention to why you're eating/hungry or what you're feeling when you eat and try to replace food with other things, but it can be really beneficial over time.

    This is all excellent advice!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    What diannethegeek said.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    edited July 2015
    Eat healthy foods. If you eat lots of fruit and veggies, you can stay very full!

    I stuffed myself to uncomfortable on less than 300 calories today.

    Fruits & veggies. Lean, white meats. Low-fat dairy. Whole grain breads.

    Watch your diet, do some exercise and it will come off! :)
  • Dex37
    Dex37 Posts: 55 Member
    I used to be able to get down to 1600 daily but now I feel awful if I go lower than 2500. If you like to eat then just make sure you workout to burn off the calories.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Embrace the hunger when you recognize it. Later, according to your daily plan, you will eat something and it will be resolved.
  • divvyh
    divvyh Posts: 32 Member
    Cook in. Try www.cookinglight.com.