Snacking Help!

tabatham1982

I had my RNY 10/21/2013 and have lost 70lbs but right now I am at a stall! I hate it! I really try not to snack but this last week or so it just seems like I am always hungry! I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and always hit my protein goal, but lately its like an hour or so after I eat I am hungry again! I try drinking water, fruit2O or crystal light but even with the drinking I want a snack. I try to choose healthy stuff like 1/2 apple w/ PB2, Cottage cheese with berries, or low fat cheese with wheat thins. but it is making me very discouraged. I stay under 1200 calories a day and don't think I am over/under eating at meals for example for dinner I had 2oz baked chicken breast, 1/3 c green beans and 2 mini red potatoes but an hour later (almost on cue) I was wanting a snack! Any one else get hungry for snacks? What snacks do you eat if you do? Any advice for trying to stop?

asia1967

I eat small snacks. eg. boiled egg, 1/2 protein bar, small amount of nuts. yogurt. When I plan my meal I include a snack or two through out the day, and it seams to stop the cravings and that hungry feeling. You have to find what works for you, as long as you account for your calories.

grim_traveller

The surgery creates many hormonal changes. Most that had Type 2 diabetes wake up after surgery with normal blood sugars. That's a hormonal change. Another is a lack of hunger, but it usually lasts 6-9 months. This is part of what makes losing so easy at the beginning. We can follow our eating plan without fighting constant hunger cravings. But when the hunger comes back, we have a harder time sticking to the plan. That's why learning new eating habits early on is so important.

I'm sorry you are struggling a little. It takes a while to adapt, but I'm sure you'll figure it out.

katematt313

I think a good idea might be to eat lots of veggies when you want to snack. You can eat a ton of veggies for only a small amount of calories.

One thing I did pre-op (now I'm post-op and on a liquid diet) is to buy frozen mixed veggies, chop them up really small, and sautee with Pam, with seasonings. This was really yummy with frozen peppers and onions, and I added Weber's kickin chicken spices to it. A cup of that is very low cal. If you add some chicken broth then throw in the blender, it is a yummy veggie soup. If you need more protein you can add tofu.

You can do the same thing with chopped mushrooms, onions and garlic; then add beef broth and puree. So yummy.

Another good idea is to take a bag of coleslaw mix, steam it or stir fry it, and then toss with soy sauce and some bacon bits. I love this.

Have you tried shirataki noodles? They are really good. Chop them up then add to chicken bouillon for a ramen-like snack. It is about 20 calories, and very satisfying.

pawoodhull

I still have this sometimes and I am 3 years out. Especially at night. Since protein really fills us and keeps us full for a long time either try upping the protein at meals or if you have 2 ounces of say chicken at dinner, weigh out and keep another 2 ounces for when you want to snack and eat it then. You will up the protein you need and keep the calories down.

PS - I still don't eat much in the way of starches (rice, potatoes, bread, noodles, etc.) Maybe you can up your protein at dinner if you don't eat the potatoes. Instead 3 ounces of chicken and some veggies? You might stay fuller longer that way. Just a thought.

SibylDiane

I really find that the fewer carbs I eat, the less often I get hungry. I agree with Pat -- try adding more meat to your dinner and fewer potatoes (if any). It may help fight those cravings later on. Good luck!

Dannadl

Try cutting out the Crystal light or other artificially sweetened products. For me they tend to increase hunger as they trigger your body to release insulin just like regular sugar does, but then there is no sugar to utilize and that triggers hunger. Also, try bumping up your fiber intake. Perhaps 1/2 a quest bar as a snack, (a whole bar runs btw 160-190 cals 20-21g protein and 17 g fiber). I have been known to eat an entire 6 oz container of raspberries as a snack when I just feel snacky. Very low in calories and very high in fiber.

DJRonnieLINY

First up a few questions; 1) Do you log all your food into MFP?, 2) Is 1,200 your daily goal in MFP?, 3) If not what is your MFP goal?, 4) Do you attempt to eat back exercise calories?, 5) Are you hungry after exercise?

I ask this because 1,200 might just not be enough to meet your nutritional needs while losing weight. Eating too little can stall weight loss by putting you in starvation mode. If you feel hunger and need to eat choose PROTEIN, not veggies and salads. That's "old dieting" while you have a new body. Putting filler (lettuce, celery, cucumbers etc.) into your little stomach will not help. You need good, healthy protein to fuel your body and make you feel fuller longer.

I hop this helps a bit.

tabatham1982

First up a few questions; 1) Do you log all your food into MFP?, 2) Is 1,200 your daily goal in MFP?, 3) If not what is your MFP goal?, 4) Do you attempt to eat back exercise calories?, 5) Are you hungry after exercise?

1) I do log my food on MFP
2) 1200 is the daily goal my doctor set out for me
3) My goal on MFP is 1700
4) I do not eat back my exercise calories
5) I usually exercise at night so afterwards I tend to shower and go to bed so I don't eat after exercise (I don't know if that is good or bad though!)

DJRonnieLINY

I would suspect you are undereating and would reccomend chatting with the Nutritionist. Show them your MFP food diary and ask for advice. My Dr & NUT both counseled me not to focus on calorie restriction but rather Protein and Fluid intake plus making good choices when I eat: Protein first, Veggies second, very (very) limited bread/rice/pasta. They resoned that if I am weighing the food and choosing protein first then we will have healthy weight loss without worrying about calories.

That said all my medical professionals, plus my trainer, have advised me to eat back (healthy food choices only) exercise calories so I keep/build muscle and develop a more fit body. Since it's hard to eat more volume and since we don't want to eat very late I tend to add protein bars in the afternoon, or early evening, or if I know it's a high burn day I grab some eggs/meat for a late breakfast. That adds morning calories to burn during the day. This is working very well for me.

I am 9 months out, you are 8, so we are in the same ballpark. My initial settings in MPF were Sedentary + lose 1.5 pounds per week. That's the maximum. For the first 4 months I shread weight and had no chance at eating the recomended calories. Since then I have been much closer to eating the reccomended calories plus most of the exercise and the weight loss slowed but continued. At 190 pounds (4 weeks ago) I set MFP to maintain and the base calories came up to 2,200. WIth exercise MFP calls for somewhere between 2,400 and 2,700 most days and I am able to get close. Over the past 4 weeks I dropped to 187 pounds and tend to fluctuate + or - 2 pounds.

Hope this helps you

SimplySusan63

I find I crave snacks more in the evening. I grab a tablespoon or so of dehydrated edamame. They're crunchy and a little salty. My dietitian suggested this so I think it's good. And they're packed with protein.

DerekG79

I am only suppose to eat three meals a day, but like you I get hungry after an hour or so. I have found a filler that I love. I have been slicing up cucumbers and putting in a bowl with white vinegar, onion powder, a touch of sugar, salt and pepper. It is an awesome snack..filling and low calories. Oh...and I also get in my 80 grams of protein a day.