If you're not hungry enough to eat an apple.. you're not hungry enough

tracefan

I read this statement in a magazine and believe it 100% Apples are fine.. however, if I'm bored and just want to eat.. I don't choose apples. So, I'm sticking to this.. if I really need to eat.. and an apple seems delicious.. then I know I can eat. With this I tend to eat healthy because I'm hungry enough to do so.. THOUGHTS?

Lose2Cruise2016

I may have seen the same article. I agree; this falls into what I call "below the neck" (real) vs "above the neck" (bored or habit) hunger. If you're being that picky, it's not "below the neck" hunger.

spzjlb

Sure. Anything to help us understand satiety and real hunger. I read here on MPF last year a very nice tip: "On a scale of 1-10, never let yourself get hungrier than a 3 or more full than a 7." I also found this to be helpful.

Mouse_Potato

Doesn't work for me. I friggin' LOVE apples!

Lounmoun

My thing is carrots instead of apples. Carrots are just okay. I'm never going to think they are delicious or overeat carrots. They are low calorie, bright, crunchy and require a lot of chewing.

nm2bsc

I can dig this method, maybe it's a different thing for everyone, but thanks for sharing

darrensurrey

Quite like that. It does make sense.

rlwart

I read the same thing but with green beans. If you're not hungry enough to eat green beans... I tell myself this a lot. Apples are probably a better thing to hold up, though, because they are delicious. I always get those little snacky Jazz apples, they're always around and they're a small size, very crunchy and have a decent flavor.

tomteboda

I really loathe apples. I'll get hungry and dizzy and pass out before I eat one.

tracefan

Well whether its apples green beans carrots etc.. anything that is just ok to eat... but you'll eat if hungry enough KWIM? I dig this concept.

dancingj2

I think this is really good advice! It sounds like some here do not like apples so picking a healthy items you like is the key. I think I will choose two: carrots and apples. If I do not want either of those then I am not really hungry.

Carlos_421

Likely that an apple isn't the best barometer for everyone who chooses to use this test.

As for me, my eating is too deliberate for this method. I'm too scientific in deciding whether and what to eat so that I reach my protein and fat goals and don't exceed calorie goals.

ETA: if it helps you differentiate between true hunger and boredom/etc., go for it.

daw0518

I could see this mantra working for some people, but I don't agree with it. There's an aspect of eating that isn't related exclusively to hunger and I think it's important to recognize that when 'dieting'. I don't dislike apples but they aren't my favorite snack, so I'm not usually willing to waste calories on them regardless of how hungry I am. If I eat an apple or some other snack that doesn't satisfy me, than I'm more likely to binge or eat something else, adding additional calories. It just seems unrealistic (& depressing) to me to remove the "I enjoy eating because of the taste of food" factor. I think it's critical to find a way to balance that with hunger for long-term success.

Mouse_Potato

rlwart wrote: »

I read the same thing but with green beans. If you're not hungry enough to eat green beans... I tell myself this a lot. Apples are probably a better thing to hold up, though, because they are delicious. I always get those little snacky Jazz apples, they're always around and they're a small size, very crunchy and have a decent flavor.

I could make this work. Green beans are a definite "meh" to my palate. I have been known to put on my jeans for a near-midnight grocery store run if I realized I had no apples for the next morning!

cnbbnc

I follow this myself. If I only want sweet stuff them I'm looking to eat for entertainment. If I'm truly hungry I'll grab something better for me no matter what it is and be happy.

SeanNJ

I just ate two apples.

Jayisahomogay

tomteboda wrote: »

I really loathe apples. I'll get hungry and dizzy and pass out before I eat one.

^Same.

Lose2Cruise2016

I think the example of an apple (and that's what it is, just an example) may be causing confusion (and some righteous indignation.) The point is, if you say to yourself, "I'm hungry" and you cycle through several healthy choices of foods you LIKE, because NONE of them are what you want, then you're probably not actually hungry. There's nothing inherently wrong with eating peanut butter crackers, or French toast, or cheesecake because you like the taste. I think it's just a way of calling attention to the difference between eating out of physical need and eating out of social circumstance, or desire, or boredom.

Larissa_NY

daw0518 wrote: »

I could see this mantra working for some people, but I don't agree with it. There's an aspect of eating that isn't related exclusively to hunger and I think it's important to recognize that when 'dieting'. I don't dislike apples but they aren't my favorite snack, so I'm not usually willing to waste calories on them regardless of how hungry I am. If I eat an apple or some other snack that doesn't satisfy me, than I'm more likely to binge or eat something else, adding additional calories. It just seems unrealistic (& depressing) to me to remove the "I enjoy eating because of the taste of food" factor. I think it's critical to find a way to balance that with hunger for long-term success.

But food tastes the same whether you're hungry or not. Why not just wait until you're hungry and eat whatever it is that tastes good then?

ilex70

I'm hungry enough to eat an apple pretty much every afternoon. Unless it is a soft sweet apple...blech. I know it is terrible, but if I get one by accident I won't eat it.

I do get the concept. I like green beans too. My fave are the frozen petite green beans from Trader Joes. Nuke 'em with water and a little bit of a vegetable bullion cube.

kshama2001

Lose2Cruise2016 wrote: »

I may have seen the same article. I agree; this falls into what I call "below the neck" (real) vs "above the neck" (bored or habit) hunger. If you're being that picky, it's not "below the neck" hunger.

Agreed. I keep Kashi mocha bars in my pocketbook for "emergencies." I don't particularly care for the flavor. I could always find room for a peanut butter cup, but if I'm not hungry enough for a Kashi mocha bar, I'm not really hungry.

shabaity

I've come to the point if I'm feeling snacks bit not hungry enough to put in the effort to cook I don't need to snack, the exception is after lifting or mma I always grab at least and apple or halo after that.

tracefan

EXACTLY!!!

Lose2Cruise2016 wrote: »

I think the example of an apple (and that's what it is, just an example) may be causing confusion (and some righteous indignation.) The point is, if you say to yourself, "I'm hungry" and you cycle through several healthy choices of foods you LIKE, because NONE of them are what you want, then you're probably not actually hungry. There's nothing inherently wrong with eating peanut butter crackers, or French toast, or cheesecake because you like the taste. I think it's just a way of calling attention to the difference between eating out of physical need and eating out of social circumstance, or desire, or boredom.

ejyennie

I have heard this with oatmeal. It really works for!