I'm always hungry!

GreatGreenSea

Is anyone else hungry all the time?

Night time is the worst, and evening in general.

Any way to help this?

Francl27

Eat a lot of whole foods and a lot of protein, drink a lot of water.

When I started I pretty much stuck to fruit, veggies, meat, fish, eggs, salads, low fat cheese and Greek yogurt. If I was hungry I ate some plain Greek yogurt with fruit. Some days have been easier than others though.

infinitimonte

Depending on your situation, there are several options.

1. Make sure you are eating enough calories during the day.
2. Make sure you eat a dinner that has sufficient protein. It tends to stay with you and keeps you fuller for longer.
3. Try to stay busy, keeping both your mind and body engaged in some activity. This helps get your mind off hunger. I find during the rare evenings I am unoccupied, I tend to snack more.
4. If you need an evening snack (I know I do), again lean toward protein. A few suggestions are: a serving of three bean salad, a small bowl of cottage cheese, a handful of nuts, or a small apple with 1 tbs. of peanut butter. Even a low calorie protein shake can be beneficial.

Hopefully this gives you some ideas!

uncharted01

if you open your diary, people will be able to see what you're eating and make recommendations

Tomahawk3Niner

I'm always hungry and I've discovered food was the cure! Making better choices and I can stay at a deficit and keep losing.

Cortneyrenee04

I always THINK I'm hungry, but I'm not. I just always want to eat! I would try adding some protein. Eggs seem to keep me full for a long time, maybe you could try something like that? I also try to just stay busy if I've met my calorie limit for the day (unless I'm truly hungry, then I just have a snack.) You can also try taking a walk/exercising. Sometimes that makes cravings go away.

GreatGreenSea

I eat a lot, so I don't know that adding more food is the answer. I'll open my diary.

lane112409

I just stared this but I found that carrots, apples, oranges things like that you can eat a lot of and there really is not that lot of calories. If I am not mistaking there is say no more then 130 calories for the entire bag of carrots. I found that if I can eat a lot of something then I am happy. Who knows why I feel this way lol

tesha_chandler

Drink a lot of water, eat small amounts more often, keep something healthy to snack on. I would honestly say eat all of the veggies you want! If you are eating a lot and you still continue to be hungry, you could speak with a Dr. and see if he could look into the issue.

TeaBea

Protein, fat, and fiber all help you stay full longer. Some people can eat non-fat protein to stay full......but I find I need something with the protein. So planning is key. My meals (and snacks) include protein + some other factor.....fat and/or fiber.

Switch out processed foods where you can..........white bread has most of the fiber & protein stripped away.....wheat bread does not.

Tweak the foods you are eating now. Example if morning oatmeal is not filling (it has fiber) .....add protein by making it with milk (instead of water).....or add fat.... peanut butter or chopped nuts.

GreatGreenSea

I feel like I eat a lot of protein but maybe I don't. I do need to add more vegetables (I get horrible gas pains from eating a lot of produce but I bought some enzymes). I'll try using almond milk and adding nut butter to my oatmeal, although I already use chopped almonds.

sriley7682

Protein sources and healthy fats really help keep you feeling full... research some protein/ fat combo snacks and find your favorites! Good luck.

junejadesky

Most of the time we mistake hunger for thirst. Be sure you stay hydrated especially at night. If you are DYING for something to eat, drink an 8 oz glass of water and then wait 10 minutes. If you are still starving then eat, but most of the time this works to beat that late night hunger fix.

RoseGoldDinosaur

Yes! On the weekends I can eat one or two small meals a day and be fine, but during the week I always feel crazy hungry! For me I think it's boredom. If the activity I'm doing is engaging and challenging and interesting I rarely get hungry. But sitting at a computer, almost never learning anything new, makes me want to eat ALL DAY LONG!

alpine1994

Are you actually hungry (like stomach grumbling hungry) or are you just used to eating a lot at night? I was the latter, and I knew that in order to lose weight and maintain the loss, I had to change my habits. If you know you ate enough calories for the day but you still feel like eating at night, you pretty much have to force yourself to not eat anymore.

What helped me is after dinner I would have a small treat, like a fudgsickle or Andes mint, and that was my signal that I was done eating for the day. Another poster gave some great advice about distracting yourself after this time. When you wake up the next morning, make sure to pat yourself on the back for your efforts! Also...build up a good group of MFP friends because it is always okay to brag about stuff like this to them.

anewlife1980

If you are hungry I would think you aren't eating enough or what you are eating is the wrong types of foods. I eat 3 meals & 2 snacks a day (use to be 3 snacks a day in the start but once my stomach started to shrink I couldn't eat the morning snack anymore) & I eat about the same time every single day. Weekends are much harder bc there isn't much of a schedule so I have to work harder to stay on track. But if I eat on schedule throughout the week & drink my water then I am not hungry. Obv like everyone I do have days when I am hungrier then usual but its not a daily thing.

This really is trial & error, it won't always be that way I promise but it just requires a little extra work to research foods, trying new options to see what fills you up more. You will figure it out though, good luck!

nmncare

According to your diary.. you aren't drinking enough water. It is so easy to mistake hunger for thirst. Drink more water!! I try to drink 12 glasses a day and I am only eating 1,450 calories a day and I'm not ever starving. Water helps loads.

Also, it looks like you may have just started up again as well. When I first started.. I was STARVING all the time. My body wasn't used to being restricted calories. Let your body adjust and it will get better.

Until then.. try to save some calories for later in the evening if that is when you get hungry. Otherwise.. Like others have said.. Find distractions. And be proud of yourself when you do this because it is not an easy task!

sunshyncatra

One of the first hurdles I had to overcome when I started losing weight was realizing that it is okay to feel hungry, and to try to gauge the different levels of hunger. Also, you need to recognize that you feel more hungry if you are tired, bored, etc. Try to be aware and recognize the difference. If you just need to munch, but aren't super hungry, pick super low cal snacks like celery to satisfy the munchies. If you like having an evening snack, plan it and set aside calories for that snack so you don't go over.

Smashley1947

I had a similar problem.

It turns out that I was not getting enough protein. Found out when I went to see a dietician and she analyzed my eating habits.

It is important to eat protein, it helps you feel full.

To combat this I started adding more protein to my meals and trying to incorporate more meat/beans into my diet. I would normally choose mainly a vegetarian dish and now I have to remember to add beans or meat. Also almond butter and greek yogurt to my morning oatmeal.

Also red meat is your friend, it has loads of iron and such that your body needs especially ladies.
I also much prefer beef and pork to chicken.

AlabasterVerve

Your protein seems fine so I'd eat less carbs and more fat. And more vegetables and less sugar. Those two things will go a long way towards satisfying your hunger.

GreatGreenSea

Oh, I drink lits of water and unsweetened tea. I'm not in the habit of logging in yet.

soupandcookies

Are you hungry, or do you just WANT to nibble?

la_Laleh

I feel like I eat a lot of protein but maybe I don't. I do need to add more vegetables (I get horrible gas pains from eating a lot of produce but I bought some enzymes). I'll try using almond milk and adding nut butter to my oatmeal, although I already use chopped almonds.

I took a look at your food diary... The first thing I noticed was that you either aren't tracking all your water intake, or you aren't drinking enough. Try drinking more water or be sure to track. I like to drink a cup of green tea, or herbal tea, before each meal. The warmth from the tea itself sometimes helps me feel less hungry. Water/fluid intake is very important to weight loss and feeling full.

You def seem to have more room for protein at the end of each day - try to incorporate more of that into your meals to help you feel full. Fiber in take is important for the same reason - I like to get fiber from fruits and veggies at almost every snack and meal I have.

I don't know if other people get this way, but when I eat a lot of sugar, I tend to feel more hungry. The hunger also seems to be more frequent.

GreatGreenSea

I'm feeling actual stomach rumbling, light-headed hunger.

GreatGreenSea

I do drink at LEAST 34 ounces per day plus herbal tea. I just suck at logging it!

I'll try to work on my protein intake.

redsnapper8

I reduce portion size so I can have another meal/starter and allow 20 mins before the main. If I'm still hungry before bed I find a weightwatchers yoghurt (loving the crumble ones they do) appeased me

lisaabenjamin

Exercise helps with hunger, a) by keeping you busy and taking your mid off eating, b) by making you thirsty so you drink more and fill up that way, and c) the endorphins or whatever actually suppress appetite (well it does for me anyway). And the best thing is that once you're done exercising and had your shower etc, when you start feeling hungry again, you can pig out and eat back all your yummy exercise calories! :-)

acstansell

If your first starting... being constantly hungry was normal for me. Your body needs a little time to adjust to the portions your giving it now in comparison to what you were eating. Now, when I get hungry here are a few things I do to combat it:

- Drink water - sometimes you're actually needing water more than food. Try drinking a big glass of water
- Chew gum - gum fulfills the need to chew w/out the added calories
- Eat a square of dark chocolate - I eat 72% dark chocolate and this usually takes away my hunger and any cravings I may have.
- Take up a hobby - learn to knit, crochet, sew, scrapbook, paint... something to keep your hands busy and distract your mind.
- Do a puzzle/play a game - same logic
- Eat more protein during the day and especially dinner - I find that if have eaten more protein during the day, then I'm less likely to be hungry sporadically
- Celery - I like celery when I'm hungry. It's a lot of chewing and you feel full with minimal calories.
- Throw in a work out - I do this one. If I feel hungry, I'll do a 20 minute workout (if I can). This way, I'm up and moving, I burn calories, and then I could have a little snack if my numbers allow for it.

I have found that I feel the "hunger" when I'm doing nothing... so for me, it's mindless eating. I find if I get up, do something, and stay busy, I'm not "hungry".

Don't do what I did - These were my rules for 2 years when I was really diligent and motivated. I fell of the wagon last year and gained weight. I'm now on the fight back to lose what I gained and then more, but this time it's a fight with my mind.

Whatever you try - you can do it!

GreatGreenSea

Thank you for the advice and encouragement.

kesslertg

Try the FastMetabolism .... hunger goes away after a day or two. A bunch of folks at my golf club are doing this. I've dropped 36 lbs ... since 11/10/13.

http://www.chewfo.com/diets/the-fast-metabolism-diet-by-haylie-pomroy-2013-what-to-eat-and-foods-to-avoid-food-list/#phase1

FrauMama

I'd eat more fat, too. That helps keep me happy and full, even more than protein (which is of course also important, as quite a few have already mentioned).

Good luck; being hungry is a drag!