Oatmeal makes me hungrier!

jpalocy77

. I was eating eggs, spinach and avo on a whole wheat thin bread every morning. I recently switched to steel cut oats for breakfast. I find after 2 hrs I am starving. And want to eat every candy bar in site. I had my oatmeal this morning. I went to work and had 3 slices of pizza by 11 am. Then blackened catfish for dinner and 5 cookies ...after! I feel like a fat slob does anyone else have this problem with oats in the morning. I think it's around 250 cals for breakfast with oats and over 300 for my egg breakfast. Maybe not enough calories for me? Ugh frustrated

greenmm25

I would guess not enough calories for you in the morning. maybe eat it with other stuff, like I mix in fruit or berries, or just have a banana with it.

prattiger65

More protein for breakfast seems to keep me satiated longer. I eat eggs and bacon about three days a week and oatmeal and an Apple the others. The eggs and bacon stay with me longer.

AbbeyDove

Oatmeal has always done this to me! I know everyone says it "sticks to your ribs" but it never holds me for very long. I do better with foods that have some protein and even some fat in the morning, personally.

laurynwithawhy

Google insulin resistance. I'm not sophisticated enough to explain it properly, but the same happens to me when I eat straight carbs for a meal. I'd recommend adding some protein back in.

bfanny

I have the same problem with cold cereal and oatmeal, but I started adding protein (powder, an egg or egg whites) and is more filling, maybe you should try that or... go back to your "safe" breakfast the one that won't make you overeat all day long!

MyChocolateDiet

Then don't eat it.

JessicaBR13

I have the same problem. I usually eat my oatmeal with a cup of greek yogurt and berries. It keeps me full longer then just oatmeal itself.

stumblinthrulife

You switched from a breakfast dominated by protein and fat , which are very satisfying, to a breakfast dominated by carbs, which really aren't.

I have oatmeal every morning, but I make it with milk, and add PB2. I then also have a protein smoothie, made with milk, mixed berries and vanilla protein power. The combination gives me enough energy to get me through the morning, and is satisfying enough that I rarely need a mid-morning snack.

ssaraj43

I added 1 oz. of whole shelled walnuts to my serving of steel cuts this morning after my morning workout. Soooo good:-)

breeannalee

Always include lots of protein with your carbohydrates, it limits your blood sugar from spiking and which causes the release of insulin from the pancreas..
Your body doesnt like to have sugar in the blood (which is what oatmeal turns into once it is processed by the body) it gets rid of it as soon as it can and then asks for more energy, leaving you hungry and craving more carbs.
On the other hand a hearty breakfast with plenty of protein will keep you satieted and blood sugar stable so you will stay full for hours.
This is why i now limit my grain based carbohydrates to one meal a day (usually breakfast sometimes lunch) and for the rest of the day i eat mainly protein and lots of veggies

NuggetLovesEdie

I'm taking a college nutrition class right now and think the answer to your question is that straight carbs digest faster than carbs mixed with protein or fat. The protein and fat slows down the rate of carbohydrate absorption.

I've been eating steel cut oats (I cook a week's worth at a time, which super simplifies my mornings) with 1/4 c walnuts and 1/2 cup of berries (blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, and soon blackberries YUM!) lately.

Here are some fun savory oatmeal recipes, too. I really like the one with spinach (I use lentils instead of fake sausage crumbles):
http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/meal-ideas/16-savory-oatmeal-recipes?page=6

operation_cute

you could try adding 2 egg whites fried in a dab of olive oil, or my personal favorite tomorrow oats instead of traditional oatmeal, you just take 1/2 cup oats, 1 container of greek yogurt, 1/4 cup milk or water (preference) mix completely let sit in sealed container overnight and enjoy cold in the morning. That usually sticks with me all morning, sometimes i'll pair it with a banana or some other fruit or even a serving of almonds (for the extra protien + fat) Either way your adding some protien, which i think may be the reason your oats aren't lasting with you :flowerforyou:

deb6627

Same thing used to happen to me when I ate only oatmeal for breakfast -- I need protein in the morning to keep me satisfied until lunch. Add a scoop of peanut butter to that oatmeal - it may sound strange, but it's actually very good. Or, make your own "Egg Muffin" -- English muffin, egg, cheese. Or, make up a few hard boiled eggs and grab one with the oatmeal. It's all about protein & convenience for me!!

jonnythan

You switched from a breakfast dominated by protein and fat , which are very satisfying, to a breakfast dominated by carbs, which really aren't.

I have oatmeal every morning, but I make it with milk, and add PB2. I then also have a protein smoothie, made with milk, mixed berries and vanilla protein power. The combination gives me enough energy to get me through the morning, and is satisfying enough that I rarely need a mid-morning snack.

Exactly this.

If I have oatmeal in the morning, I supplement it with a bit of whole milk and a scoop of protein. The fiber in the oatmeal, the fat in the milk, and the protein in the shake are what really keep me full.

Protein and fat are much more filling in general than carbs.

markymarkchitown

Absolutely add protein, I have the same issue with straight oatmeal. About 2 Tbls of peanut butter is usually enough to curb the hunger (or any other kind of nut butter can help). For a leaner and quick source of protein you can do a protein shake. After that you should be almost stuffed. 300 calories is most likely not enough to get you to lunch either, you should plan a snack about 2.5-3 hours after breakfast.

marymoore1057

This is awesome. I will be glad when I can say I have lost some weight.

ajvideo1

I eat Quaker Oats every morning and am satisfied even if I eat a late lunch. When I have eggs I get hungry earlier & oats are better for you. I know a number of people that add fruit as the other poster mentioned. 220 Calories. I have lost 22 lbs. Love this program gets easier every day.

prattiger65

This is awesome. I will be glad when I can say I have lost some weight.

Formulate an informed, educated plan and then execute it. You will be on your way.

26banker

I agree. tomorrow I am going to try plain, lower carb oatmeal, with some scrambled eggs

prattiger65

I eat Quaker Oats every morning and am satisfied even if I eat a late lunch. When I have eggs I get hungry earlier & oats are better for you. I know a number of people that add fruit as the other poster mentioned.

Oats are not better for you. Different macros, both necessary.

RhonndaJ

I'd go along with the notion that it's the lack of protein, while I don't have the same issue with oatmeal, I have found it with other meal choices.

jusa1011

I try to eat more protein in the morning. It does tend to make me feel full longer. Though, I do try to keep a piece of fruit with me as a mid-morning snack or have my breakfast about two hours after I have gotten up. I find waiting, helps me less during the day. Usually, I save my oatmeal for the night, it tends to put me to sleep no matter what time of day.

jpalocy77

Well this is a recipe I made in the crockpot. It has steel cut oatmeal... Apples. And almond milk. And been adding a few tbls of walnuts. It just isn't cutting it. I think I will go back to my eggs next week. I definitely think that it is keeping me more sane to where I'm not trying to justify junk food in my head all day.

jonnythan

Well this is a recipe I made in the crockpot. It has steel cut oatmeal... Apples. And almond milk. And been adding a few tbls of walnuts. It just isn't cutting it. I think I will go back to my eggs next week. I definitely think that it is keeping me more sane to where I'm not trying to justify junk food in my head all day.

You start with carbs, then add carbs and carbs. Clearly the carbs-as-breakfast isn't working for you.

Make your oats with some whole milk and have a protein shake or a couple of eggs with them.

chrisdavey

I have no idea how anyone can eat plain oats!


LARGE bowl

⅔ cup oats

cocoa/cinnamon

1tbspn peanut butter & co (or 12g peanut flour)

pinch of salt

Add lots of water


nuke. When done should still be a bit runny.


Add 1tbspn peanut butter & co and let it melt in. Let cool for a few minutes. Then add 1 scoop of protein powder (mine is vanilla casein)

That will keep you full for a lot longer (and not taste like *kitten* :laugh:)

SusanL222

Try amaranth, a tiny grain/seed with loads of protein. I cook 1 cup amaranth with 1 cup soy milk and 2 cups water and some cinnamon. Makes several servings which I heat up with some vanilla almond breeze, add a bit of banana and chopped walnuts. Yum!

TheEffort

I usually have 2 servings of oatmeal with almonds and/or fruit. Lately I've had it with a peanut butter sandwich.

It might just be finding a combination that works for you.

MyChocolateDiet

*kitten*...all this oatmeal talk is making me crave it. I'm gonna buy some on my next grocery trip. I like the PB2 and almond milk ideas. I tend to make mine with milk which has protein and then put butter on it so now that I'm reading all this maybe that's why it lasts me satiety wise. carb/protein/fats altogether. I also put maple syrup or honey on it just for fun.

crazyvermont

Perhaps add peanut butter and honey to your oatmeal.......can keep under 500calories and keeps me until almost noon. I eat this breakfast probably 75% of time

athyraslove

This happens to me too! I need more protein with my meals. If you like the oatmeal, just add some things to it to make it higher cal and more protein. Mix in some flax seeds, I know people who mix in quinoa for protein. Mix in peanut butter. Or have oatmeal and a scrambled egg! Or ditch the oatmeal and stick with your other breakfast if you prefer it.