is it really *that* wrong to let yourself be hungry?

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  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Words from my personal trainer: Envision your stomach like a bucket of water with a small hole on the bottom. You never want to let it overflow nor do you want to let it be completely empty. Your goal is to keep something in it moderately. Small snacks every few hours, even if you are not hungry. If you start having hunger pains, your body will create insulin (sugars) that store fat and eat muscle.
    This is why we don't listen to personal trainers for nutritional advice. That is quite possibly the most incorrect thing I've read on this board today.
  • bajoyba
    bajoyba Posts: 1,153 Member
    As long as you're eating an appropriate amount of calories for your body and meeting your nutritional needs, you're not starving yourself or damaging your metabolism.

    I used to be a boredom eater as well, so I think it's a good thing that you're trying to teach yourself the difference between feeling the urge to munch something and actually being hungry and needing fuel. That said, if you are truly hungry, eat something. :smile:
  • Fayeguiebcoe
    Fayeguiebcoe Posts: 1
    You can always have a low calorie snack like veggie sticks or "light" popcorn. Was taught at WeightWatchers that it is Okay to be hungry sometimes, but starving yourself can be harmful. Congrats on your weight loss!
  • nashvillenellie
    nashvillenellie Posts: 75 Member
    When I get those hunge pains between meals I like munching on dill pickles or something like celery or maybe a small orange or apple. I hate feeling hungry.
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    OP, you're doing just fine. You're not hurting yourself or your metabolism; to allow yourself to be truly hungry is a good thing! North American society has gotten so used to eating at the first sign of anything (boredom, slight hunger, thirst, a particular time of day) without really discerning whether or not they/we are actually hungry.

    The French have a saying; "hunger is the best seasoning"; I mention the French because they have one of the most sophisticated and intense relationships with food, resulting in (arguably) some of the best cuisine in the world. Funny thing about their love affair with food- they do not snack between meals. It's breakfast, lunch and a [late] dinner; only children are allowed an afternoon snack. They allow themselves to become truly hungry and then they thoroughly enjoy their meals.

    You got this OP, ignore the chatter. :smile:

    ^^Agree. OP, you do have this. For some, this method might not work. It might lead to overeating because they are so not used to feeling hungry that it "feels" much worse than it is. Also, if you have some medical issues (diabetes), it could be a factor. But good grief, hunger pains are the natural way for the body to say "hey, time to eat... just in case you forgot or something". Like I'd ever forget. LOL
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    Words from my personal trainer: Envision your stomach like a bucket of water with a small hole on the bottom. You never want to let it overflow nor do you want to let it be completely empty. Your goal is to keep something in it moderately. Small snacks every few hours, even if you are not hungry. If you start having hunger pains, your body will create insulin (sugars) that store fat and eat muscle.

    Uh, which is why all cave men were thought to be obese? (Not.) I have no problem with the "grazing" method, either, but to say hunger will cause you to store fat and eat muscle... that's just silly.

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