Not Sure What I Do!

dpr73

So I gave up logging for maintenance and so far now problems maintaining... No gains and no losses! However, I just don't know whether I should be eating sometimes! I have been told by a nutritionist to listen to hunger cues so I try. I eat about 1100 calories for breakfast and lunch (combined) sometimes a low cal snack in between...I will have a beer in the afternoon and a big dinner (I think it's somewhere around 900 calories by the way I calculate it) and a small dessert around 200-250 calories. So that nets me at around 2100-2400 calories each day (as I think it through in my head) but there's times right in between my meals where I just don't know whether I should be having a snack or not-this includes post workout snacking. I feel a little bit like I could eat something but my stomach isn't growling but I am THINKING constantly about eating. Like just an ongoing struggle in my head about whether to or not to eat at these times. I haven't seemed to lose anyweight or gain it but I am worrying that I don't listen correctly to hunger cues and I should be eating or something. Do you think I'm overthinking my hunger? I just don't know whether to snack at these times or not!!!
It kind of annoys me because I don't like to have to think as much as I am about whether to eat! It's not like I feel guilty for eating I just don't know if I'm really actually hungry or something else is happening.

tlblood

Hunger and thirst signals to the brain are very similar, and most people can't tell the difference between them. Because of this, many people eat something when they are really just getting a bit dehydrated. If you're starting to feel hungry, try drinking water or something first. If you're still hungry, then eat a snack.

dpr73

It's so weird! I don't even feel hunger it's just something is telling me "ya gotta eat...you don't want to starve yourself!" Which is weird because I eat three meals a day and they're all pretty filling! Also, even though I don't feel hungry there's occasions that I actually feel fatigued-which I hear means I should eat something. But do you think is be getting hunger pangs if that were te case? It just all seems SO complicated!

ianthy

Hi

Well done for reaching maintenance I am looking to reaching that point soon.

Personally I would start logging and weighing again. This will help you to get a real focus on what you are eating and when. I have difficulty telling when I am hungry or just thirsty - one way I check is to view my log. All things being normal I find that I am not or should not be hungry just thirsty or worse just bored so thinking about food. Not everyone is the same but just my input.

AleciaG724

try a big glass of water and a hand full of nuts...

dpr73

Do you think having a small snack like an orange/banana/celery sticks/etc would be a good idea? That way if I am misreading my hunger I didn't actually overeat for the day but if I did need something I was able to get it?

ianthy

Do you think having a small snack like an orange/banana/celery sticks/etc would be a good idea? That way if I am misreading my hunger I didn't actually overeat for the day but if I did need something I was able to get it?

A medium boiled egg might do the trick - I usually have these as snacks. Easy to take with you on the go.

nxd10

It's so weird! I don't even feel hunger it's just something is telling me "ya gotta eat...you don't want to starve yourself!" Which is weird because I eat three meals a day and they're all pretty filling! Also, even though I don't feel hungry there's occasions that I actually feel fatigued-which I hear means I should eat something. But do you think is be getting hunger pangs if that were te case? It just all seems SO complicated!

There are times when my body tells me I need to eat. No hunger pains, it's like a little 'bing' that goes off in my brain that says 'you need to eat'. It doesn't work that way when I'm heavier. It works that way when I'm thin and don't have a lot of fat reserves or when I'm pregnant and need a lot of calories. I assume it's low blood sugar.

Whatever it is, I listen. But a few nuts will do it - it doesn't take a lot. It just has to be right NOW.

brevislux

If you're not sure, have a glass of water or two. If you still feel like you can eat, have a piece of fruit/veg/some nuts/dates. If you're still not satisfied then eat something...