Hungry every 2-3 hours
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Some people are fine with three meals a day some are not. I know Im not! I eat every two to three hours. I need snacks or I'll over eat when meal time does come around. It doesn't matter how many times a day or even what time a day you eat. Dont worry about it so much, just have confidence your doing the right thing for you. Your confidence will show! Your co-workers wont question it, if you dont.0
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I use the fridge on the 1st floor - I am on the 4th. That way I have to take stairs to and from my snack. No one sees and I get exercise in.0
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Everyone is different. The more I eat the more I need to eat. I work with this guy who gets annoyed at any slight food smells -_-
But to be honest I can go all the way to lunch time without eating a thing and it actually works out better for me as when I tried to eat little and often. I ate little but it was very often and not too healthy either. Now that I'm on a 1200 cal diet I prefer to save my calories for later in the day just in case I get the odd craving.0 -
I work in an office and i seem to be the only person that eats every 3 hours or so. Everyone else eats VERY little and i mean very little. Maybe a bowl of soup through the entire shift. But i feel guilty having loads of plates and things on my desk because i'm literally starving every couple of hours.
A typical day for me at work would be like:
8.30am - a bowl of porridge with half a home made veggie/fruit smoothie
10.30am - a piece of fruit
12.30pm - half a brown sub roll with ham and salad and the other half of my veggie/fruit smoothie
3pm - Start snacking on some grapes
In between all of this i sip on plenty of water all day.
4pm and i am STARVING but too embarrassed to go to the fridge again!
Is this normal or does everyone else sit and starve worse than me?
Yes it is normal...sound lik you have 6 smalls meals/day.... so whats the REAL issue? EAT!0 -
If you are hungry, eat. Don't worry about what anyone else might think. Bring a lunch box and keep snacks at your desk. Boiled eggs, cheese sticks, tuna pack, nuts, etc.0
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I sometimes keep bananas on my desk, they go manky in the fridge anyway :P the nuts are a good idea but I have no self restraint so they'd be polished off by 11am as as they're so easy to mindlessly pick at.
It doesn't look like you eat too much to me either the food you just described could've come straight out of a healthy lifestyle magazine, so anyone who'd look down on what you're eating has issues
I think I also eat more frequently than other people near my desk, but I think that's because most, probably have a more calorific lunch, the 2 slim girls that sit near me and possibly watch what they eat I've never felt judged by even though they don't really snack, but if they were to pass comment I'd probably just laugh it off (but that's because they're nice so can't see them meaning it snidely) If someone was being a d*ck though I probably would come up with a cutting/witty comeback (most likely 5 minutes after I'd left the office for the day driving home)
Anyway I think I'd be prising the keys off my keyboard and giving them a chew if all I had was soup or salad and nothing else during an 8hr shift.
So yeah bananas0 -
I do the same thing. At home, my boyfriend gets annoyed that I always stop what we're doing to get food... But if eating often works for you, there's no issue with it. Many people binge at dinnertime and in the evening, which may explain some of your coworkers' lack of food. However, unless your boss has an issue with how often you eat, it doesn't matter what others think. If they say something, tell them that you feel healthier this way. Also, if you don't want to get up to go to the fridge so often, keep small portions of nuts, granola, dried fruit, etc. at your desk.0
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What you are doing is a great way to keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day. My mother was diabetic and her nutritionist recommended eating every three hours or so. By doing this, she was able to completely come off of her diabetic medications and regained normal blood sugar levels. Don't worry about what your coworkers think!0
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I get the same thing except it's not how many times I eat it's how much I eat in one sitting...
For example my breakfast this morning was 1000calories...2 eggs, steak, toast with butter and a cup of milk with coffee that has xylitol and cream.
People hear that and they are like you lie....nope I eat all the foods...esp after a lifting day.0 -
Don't bother with everyone else. If they're not skin and bones, then they're either eating a hearty breakfast, or a hearty dinner. Maybe both.
Personally, I don't eat breakfast so I can have a nice-sized lunch and dinner. I can easily go 'til 1pm without feeling hungry (though I'll eat if I go to a breakfast place with someone else). If I nibble all day long, then I'm never satiated.
Others like to eat steadily through the day and say it curbs their craving/hunger pangs. Do whatever works for you.0 -
Absolutely! You eat whenever you want and forget about the others! I too graze all the time and eat my meals spread out over the course of the day.
This is why I can never do IF!0 -
"8.30am - a bowl of porridge with half a home made veggie/fruit smoothie
10.30am - a piece of fruit
12.30pm - half a brown sub roll with ham and salad and the other half of my veggie/fruit smoothie
3pm - Start snacking on some grapes "
:noway:
Lady, you are eating too many carbs and sugar. When you do that, your blood sugar spikes.
A blood sugar spike completely dysregulates your body's production of leptin, making production surge. Surge of leptin production then is completely ignored by the brain because you've basically deafened your brain's ability to read leptin.
Then your brain believes it is starving, because it can't understand its leptin hormones.
Your brain, totally believing it is starving even though you just had some sugar 2-3 hours ago, now sends you uncontrollable, irresistable appetite cravings.
Your brain also likes things stable and at the same level internally, so it is more likely to perk up and said OH GOD YES MORE SUGAR at the sight of more carbs and other sugars.
This whole process takes about 2-3 hours. This is why you have cravings.0 -
I am a grazer and have always eaten probably every 3 hours or so. I get comments all the time about how can I be thin and eat so much? But I know that they go home and likely eat a huge dinner plus dessert, whereas I tend to be less hungry in the evenings. I eat when my body wants food, not when it is deemed socially acceptable. :laugh:0
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"8.30am - a bowl of porridge with half a home made veggie/fruit smoothie
10.30am - a piece of fruit
12.30pm - half a brown sub roll with ham and salad and the other half of my veggie/fruit smoothie
3pm - Start snacking on some grapes "
:noway:
Lady, you are eating too many carbs and sugar. When you do that, your blood sugar spikes.
A blood sugar spike completely dysregulates your body's production of leptin, making production surge. Surge of leptin production then is completely ignored by the brain because you've basically deafened your brain's ability to read leptin.
Then your brain believes it is starving, because it can't understand its leptin hormones.
Your brain, totally believing it is starving even though you just had some sugar 2-3 hours ago, now sends you uncontrollable, irresistable appetite cravings.
Your brain also likes things stable and at the same level internally, so it is more likely to perk up and said OH GOD YES MORE SUGAR at the sight of more carbs and other sugars.
This whole process takes about 2-3 hours. This is why you have cravings.
I assume the smoothie has protein it. I know porridge is has decent protein. Then she said she has ham with her lunch. I don't see a problem with her over doing the carbs or the EVIL SUGARS!0 -
I don't think you're eating enough protein. I have to have, eggs or a protein shake with at least 25 grams of protein in it, in the morning, or I am hungry 2 hours later, as well. Though your choices are great they also look very low in calories, so you can add a little protein in without causing your total calories to go over. Adding an egg to breakfast would only add 70 calories and a low fat string cheese is only 60 calories (great with fruit). Just make sure you get a little protein with each snack/meal and I think that will really help. Good luck!0
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I don't think you're eating enough protein. I have to have, eggs or a protein shake with at least 25 grams of protein in it, in the morning, or I am hungry 2 hours later, as well. Though your choices are great they also look very low in calories, so you can add a little protein in without causing your total calories to go over. Adding an egg to breakfast would only add 70 calories and a low fat string cheese is only 60 calories (great with fruit). Just make sure you get a little protein with each snack/meal and I think that will really help. Good luck!
Hmm. I had a protein shake with 30g 2 hours ago and I am STARVING right now. But that's just how I roll. :drinker:0 -
Your post addresses one of the main reasons people struggle and or fail at losing weight - we are too worried about what other people think. The reality is we need to be accountable to ourselves. Who cares what other people think? We need to make goals for ourselves and strive to reach them. What you posted is a good plan and will help you reach your goal faster. Keep it up and before too long people will be coming to you for advice. If you cannot get passed what other people are thinking about you, you may bring some pre-poritoned snacks like nuts, fruit, etc. that you can eat without having to get up.0
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Have you always been hungry every 2-3 hours, or has it started since you have been running a calorie deficit?
My wife regularly needs to eat every 4-5 hours or so. I didn't, until last January when I started on MFP. Then I found myself getting quite hungry about 3 hours after breakfast and lunch.
However, by the 4th or 5th week, I stopped getting so hungry. If this is a new phenomenon for you, try gritting your teeth and sticking it out. The hunger might go away.
If you've always been this way, that might not work.
Either way, I would suggest getting more protein and fat in your meals. As damask1988 notes, they seem heavy in carbohydrates, especially sugars. If you want veggies and fruit, eat more whole vegetables and fruit and fewer smoothies; the blender breaks down the cell walls in them, making it easier for your digestion to extract sugars. Having a 100-calorie snack of almonds or cashews might not seem as satisfying as a 100-calorie smoothie, because it's smaller, but it might keep you satisfied longer. Adding an egg to your breakfast might keep you until lunch.0 -
I have smaller meals (usually) so I need to eat every 2-3 hours too. But what other people eat at the office doesn't mean anything, my husband for example eats most of his calories after 6pm.
I agree with the others though, eat more protein. I rarely eat fruit anymore just because it doesn't fill me up as much as a Greek yogurt or a piece of cheese.0 -
I live no more than 5 minutes from work so I go home for lunch. I pack a bunch of snacks to last me the afternoon, but then by 1:30, I'm fighting the urge to eat the rest of my snacks. Then when I do, I'm STARVED by the time I go home at 4:30.. lol
Eat more protein, and stop worrying about what your coworkers think!0 -
I have a desk job and have the same problem. I just ignore the comments I get for eating all day, or eating lunch early. I know I'm eating better and thats all that matters.0
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Sounds normal to me. My day is usually:
9am Protein Bar
11am Yogurt or Fruit
12:30-1pm Lunch (leftovers, sandwich or salad)
2:30-3pm Yogurt or Fruit (whatever I didn't eat the last snack)
5pm (after workout usually): Protein Shake
7:30-8pm Dinner
I try not to eat after dinner but sometimes I'll give myself a treat and have a popsicle or a little bit of frozen yogurt. My hubby makes fun of me because on the weekends I have to take snacks when we go off because I'm used to eating often and he isn't. We're creatures of habit... if you eat often, you have to. If you don't... you don't have to. Eventually your body gets used to your routine and reminds you of it in hunger pains. (Note: I also eat less at lunch and dinner than my hubby does because i'm eating all day).0 -
I don't think that anyone would judge you, and if they do, who cares what they think? Now, if you were eating pizza, chips, popcorn, and chocolate every couple hours, then there might be some judgement, but you don't sound like you are eating enough let alone too much.
I eat/snack every couple hours sometimes too. Especially when I'm bulking.0 -
I'm always eating but thats probably more to do with how fast the food i eat digests (normally 2 hours max) this maybe something you want to look into when planning your meals if you don't want to eat every couple of hours
but yeah theres nothing wrong with eating often0 -
Oh thank goodness! I thought it was just me and was getting annoyed with myself!
When I'm studying it feels like no time has passed so after 2-3 hours and I'm feeling hungry again, I think "but I just ate?".
I guess it's normal and because I'm aware of how much I feel hungry, I stick to healthy snacks like chopped fruit, salad or some natural yoghurt.
Stupid as it sounds, I actually feel so much better now!0 -
I did not have time to read the whole thread, but first of all I noticed your meals have very little protein and fat. Both will help with hunger.
As to eating every 2-3 hours, that works for some people, and you sound like one of them. I can't stand doing it as I much prefer larger meals.
In terms of metabolism, all the studies show that how frequently you eat or infrequently, there is no difference for your overall daily metabolism. The idea that a bunch of small meals will speed up a persons overall metabolism is a myth that just won't die.
So, don't worry about what your co-workers think. As long as this keeps you eating at your calorie goal and satisfies you so you don't give up, do it.0 -
I would agree with the normal thing, and also with the get some more fat/protein thing. What you listed looks pretty high in carbs, and those calories don't always last too long in some people. A small snack between bigger meals with protein and fat usually works for me. Now pass the bacon and chippies... :laugh:0
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I do the same thing. I also work in an office, and I have some co-workers who hardly eat during their shift and then a few like me. I keep healthy snacks in my office.0
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We need to make goals for ourselves and strive to reach them. What you posted is a good plan and will help you reach your goal faster. Keep it up and before too long people will be coming to you for advice.
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Boy, is this the truth. Even the people who told you couldn't lose weight without following some arbitrary diet 'rule' will start coming to you all confused. "What do you mean you just cut your calories? There has to be more to it. What's the secret?"0 -
I sometimes keep bananas on my desk, they go manky in the fridge anyway :P the nuts are a good idea but I have no self restraint so they'd be polished off by 11am as as they're so easy to mindlessly pick at.
It doesn't look like you eat too much to me either the food you just described could've come straight out of a healthy lifestyle magazine, so anyone who'd look down on what you're eating has issues
I think I also eat more frequently than other people near my desk, but I think that's because most, probably have a more calorific lunch, the 2 slim girls that sit near me and possibly watch what they eat I've never felt judged by even though they don't really snack, but if they were to pass comment I'd probably just laugh it off (but that's because they're nice so can't see them meaning it snidely) If someone was being a d*ck though I probably would come up with a cutting/witty comeback (most likely 5 minutes after I'd left the office for the day driving home)
Anyway I think I'd be prising the keys off my keyboard and giving them a chew if all I had was soup or salad and nothing else during an 8hr shift.
So yeah bananas
I know what you mean about the nuts! I love them too so don't last long!
I tried bananas before but found that the texture didn't agree with me after a few days.0
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