HUNGRY!!

batmanatgrind

I just feel hungry all the time. Although I am eating small portions and snacking I just feel hungry all the time.

DarkerNavigator2233

Eat more good protien, you will feel full longer. Also drink tons of water.

batmanatgrind

My diet is mostly protein. The hunger started the moment I started cutting out my carbs and portion controlling. I eat protein and complex carbs so simple carbs anymore. I drink quite a bit of water and I drink about 2 to 3 pots of green tea every day. I just don't know what to do anymore.

hassankarimi82

It's normal to feel hungry in a deficit of calories. But, are you eating as wisely as possible? Eating foods that help maintain blood sugar levels and energy levels will help you feel more satisfied. Eating satiating foods, basically anything that contains some healthy fat, a good amount of fiber and/or a lot of protein, will help keep cravings at bay. Allow yourself a treat now and then, its not about cutting things out you enjoy. Ultimately its consistency over a period of time that bring the results you want. Plus, there is a psychological element to it all, so its just a case of getting over it.

diannethegeek

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. Play around with your macros. Different percentages work for different people. Generally you want to 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.

Jayco141

Its 90% Mental!
You're not hungry. You have to train your mind to act differently. Until you can do that it is difficult to stay and maintain.

stingrayinfl

It can be tough sometimes and sometimes tougher. Just do your best and keep trying. Celebrate within your heart and mind the days that you do well. Don't beat yourself up on the bad days.

Dominique14614

How much fat are you eating? If you are already cutting carbs and eating adequate protein, you may need to eat more fat. High fat, high protein foods decrease hunger. Definitely play around with your macros until you find what is best for you.

dlkfox

I can't see your diary, but make sure you are eating satiating meals -- a balance of fat/protein/carbs. I find that high-fiber keeps me satiated. Some people do better at fewer, larger meals and no snacking.

Francl27

More fat?

LPflaum

Everyone's body is completely different. For me, personally, the whole "eat small meals and snack" thing absolutely does not work. I feel hungry constantly, and then i fall into a trap of overeating. I personally prefer to drink coffee for breakfast (eating in the morning triggers my migraines, no clue why), a relatively large protein stacked lunch (today was 373 cal/ 11g carb/ 15g fat/ 43g protein), a protein filled snack around 4pm (usually 200-300 cal) (chicken breast, surimi, protein shake), I go the gym between 5-8, and I eat a 400-500 cal dinner at 8-9pm.

2011rocket3touring

Francl27 wrote: »

More fat?

Good fats like from alvacado, nuts etc.

janejellyroll

How much fiber are you getting? If your diet is mostly protein, you may not be getting enough fat and fiber, things that sometimes help people feel fuller.

SezxyStef

are you hungry or is it appetite? One can be controlled the other means you need to eat more...or differently.

How many calories are you taking in?

if I give up starches ie breads, rice etc I am not hungry but I don't feel satisfied at all...empty even.

Canuckgirl77

Are you eating back any of your exercise calories? If not, you might want to eat about half back.

Enjcg5

Jayco141 wrote: »

Its 90% Mental!
You're not hungry. You have to train your mind to act differently. Until you can do that it is difficult to stay and maintain.

This is the best thing I've read today! It is all a matter of having a paradigm shift and not looking back. I was telling someone that my stomach actually growls. Before I started being diligent with my eating, my stomach never growled because I ate all day carelessly. Now, I eat 3 hearty meals based on protein spaced 4/5 hours apart. And occasionally have a treat of some sort. And dark chocolate as my special daily night treat. Drink water! Water is life.

spongebobelaine

The first 2 weeks of diet I feel hungry all the time but as long as I don't faint, I embrace the hunger. Just let the stomach growl.
But 2 weeks later I get used to the portion I eat and don't feel hunger anymore.
But Firstly make sure you eat healthy food. High sugar will make you more hungry

Francl27

I'd definitely try 3 bigger meals instead. Snacking all day just doesn't work for some people.. I feel way more satisfied psychologically if I have a big lunch, for example (and it's nice not to have to worry about food all afternoon, but I have hypoglycemia at times so it doesn't always work for me).