Can't fight the hunger craving

mandy81marie

I'm only a week into my diet and I am having such a hard time fighting the hunger cravings today. I've had my breakfast, a snack and lunch. I only have about 600 calories left for the day. All I want to do is pig out on the contents of my kitchen, lol. What can I do to help make the unbearable cravings stop?

Dmatkin

What are you eating for those meals? Are you weight training?

Panda86

Make sure you aren't hyper-restricting yourself. Don't automatically set your intake at 1200, if that is what you have done. Work yourself down to that. Add protein to your diet, and drink a lot of water. Other than that, just wait it out. It will get easier once you adjust

lilRicki

It gets better, hang in there...

redefiningmyself

I don't know about you, but I've failed every diet that I was hungry on. I just can't beat it. So this time round, I eat lots of veggies. I can eat bucket-loads for virtually no calories, so I stay full and get in lots of nutrition at the same time.
I've been here since August and haven't given up. Maybe it would work for you too?

kirstengirl

I am also struggling with that too!!! I always feel hungry, even though I know I'm not really - it's more habit I think. I know I need to drink more water too, everyone says it helps, but it's not what I want. I'll hang in there with you too.

Adsnwfld

go for some low to no calorie substitutes, celery, strawberries, carrots... salad (watch the dressing) it fills you up and kills the craving without killing your calories for the day

Beckyburg

Try chewing sugar free gum.

Mrs_McFadden

I'm going to buy some cookbooks for this but I'd suggest at looking at Volumetrics:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/volumetrics-what-it-is

Adding low calorie, healthy roughage to bulk up your meal essentially. Today I added about 1/4 cup chopped cucumber to my tuna- with a 1/2 Tbsp of Sriracha and a 1/2 Tbsp mayo, and that cucumber really helped!

An example of volumetrics I've seen in a magazine would be eating grapes instead of raisins- the air and liquid present in a grape is *more* filling than raisins right?

Plus it really helps to plan ahead ..at least a day ahead and make sure you're snacking throughout the day so you're not stranded and hungry.

Ge0rgiana

Make breakfast and lunch larger meals, heavy on protein in your meals and snacks. Go by the calorie allowance MFP gives you.

fitzie63

You're not getting enough protein to prevent those feelings of hunger. Drink 2 full glasses of water before your meal. Take at least 20 minutes to chew/swallow that meal. Relax and enjoy your meal time rather than "inhale it".

katiepool129

hang in there, its perfectly normal to get these kicks as your body adjusts to your new regime. I find doing some exercise stops me snacking, one it distracts you, two it helps you towards your weight loss gain, and three once you've exercises you really don't want to waste the energy you spent on exercising by eating again. Also don't leave loads of time between lunch and dinner as it can be quite a big stretch of time to get hungry. Hope this is helpful! xx

marniehodges

Are you working out? I know when I started I was starving all the time too. Hubby told me (who has worked out for years) that it was because I finally got my metabolism going again. So that's a good thing! Eat lots of protein and fiber; it will keep you feeling full longer. And drink tons of water! Good luck!

rayemlls

special k bars and shakes are amazing...They have different flavors and they have cracker chips that are awesome and help keep you full longer!!!Ive been slowly switching out my snacks and these have been the best by far!

judz46

I find it's best not to get hungry - have a piece of cheese with low fat crackers before the hunger pangs strike.

Marigold15

A lovely treat Get six little bowls and fill them with one pint sugar free jelly, a 14 oz tin of mixed fruit in fruit juice and dollop a couple of tablespoons of no fat yoghurt on the top. No more than 104 calories per bowl and a nice treat in your fridge for the next six days. It really helps those hunger cravings.

dimoul

I've been trying to follow a list when I get the munchies:

1) drink a glass or two of water.
2) drink cinnamon or some other herbal tea with no sugar
3) eat some sort of vegetable (carrot, celery, salad, boiled cabbage, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.. whatever you have that sounds good at the moment)
4) eat a piece of your favorite fruit
5) if you have to eat something more calorie dense, eat it, but don't go crazy. decide how much in advance, log it in myfitness, weigh/measure it, put it away, eat it (this goes for everything you eat).

This keeps me from diving into the cookies or chips. If you are in a position where you can just take a nap instead or got to bed earlier, do that. sleeping = no eating. and I find the more practice I get sleeping without eating something first is good for breaking my habit of eating before sleeping. Also, try something to distract you: read, walk, video games, whatever.

I find that if I eat plenty of lean protein (chicken breast or fish) in the day and vegetables, I don't get as hungry. eggs in the a.m. help a lot, too

atomiclauren

I agree with more food earlier and more protein. Things will eventually get better once your body adjusts.

For times when I'm hungry, though, distraction works best for me - the busier I am, the less chance I have to think about food. I also try to drink plenty of water. I'll also give in and eat something (maybe vegetables, a snack ~100 calories) if I'm *really* hungry - after all, my body is trying to tell me something!

mandy81marie

thanks for all the tips

The cravings weren't so bad until today and I've basically kept my menu the same. Today I had my normal cups of coffee, drank a slimfast shake for breakfast, had some cheez-it's for a snack then a chicken ceasar salad for lunch. I've also drank about 4-5 glasses of water so far today.

As lazy as it might sound, I have not started any excerise yet. I wanted to conquer the whole "eatting right" thing first, lol

NoAdditives

Make sure your calorie goal isn't too low. If you're going from over 2000 calories per day to 1200 per day, you're going to be hungry for a while and it won't matter what you're eating. Make sure you're set to lose 1 pound per week at first until you adjust. As far as food goes, make sure you're eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, they're low cal and you can eat a ton. And drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.

Mande_G

thanks for all the tips

The cravings weren't so bad until today and I've basically kept my menu the same. Today I had my normal cups of coffee, drank a slimfast shake for breakfast, had some cheez-it's for a snack then a chicken ceasar salad for lunch. I've also drank about 4-5 glasses of water so far today.

As lazy as it might sound, I have not started any excerise yet. I wanted to conquer the whole "eatting right" thing first, lol

It's not just about cutting the calories of the foods you're eating, but also eating high QUALITY foods. I can't see your diary, but it sounds like you're eating a lot of processed garbage and not getting the nutrition you need. Instead of a slimfast shake, try making your own smoothies with greek yogurt and fruit and a little honey or stevia. Instead of cheez-it's, go for an apple with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter, or veggie sticks (think carrot or bell pepper or celery) with hummus. Stick closer to whole, natural foods -- you'll be getting a ton more fiber, which helps keep you feeling full, as well as the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function AND to feel satisfied. Whole grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, lean protein and lean dairy are your friends.

mandy81marie

yes after reading most of the posts I realize I need to shop for more fruits and veggies. Just because something says it's a 100 calorie snack doesn't mean it's going to be filling and/or healthy for me

penelopekl208

Great Dinner:
Rump Steak cooked in - 1 calorie spray
with a mixed salsa of chopped fresh tomatoes, olives, red onion, with the 1 calorie spray balsamic dressing

It's a struggle - I always allow for an emergency pitta bread !

A really low cal lunch: Morrisons American style salad, extra fresh raw chopped red pepper, and small 60g tin of tuna, 1 tablespoon soy sauce - is only about 160 calories.

fill yourself up with raw veg / salads - Morrisons have great, cheap ready made salads.

Stir frys are great too and practically no calories.

plan your food the day before and DRINKS lots of water

swop your sugar for 'half sugar' the low cal stuff thats just like sugar and you get from Sainsburys

and have a list of low cal emergency snacks

Options hot chocolate
pitta bread
Snack a Jacks
butterkist low cal popcorn

so you don't feel totally deprived. But above all i'd say clear your fridge/house of 'goodies' - if they're not there you can't eat them. Walk everywhere ! buy a pedometre - it counts your steps. Great incentive to just move more.

hope this helps. I'm into my first week and have lost 5 lbs - just given up smoking so needed to become preoccupied with calories. good luck xx

Mande_G

yes after reading most of the posts I realize I need to shop for more fruits and veggies. Just because something says it's a 100 calorie snack doesn't mean it's going to be filling and/or healthy for me

Yeah, the 100 calorie snacks are good in theory -- and, if you are REALLY craving a snack (and who doesn't from time to time, right?) it is really nice to have them reasonably portioned and ready to go -- but you can't live on 'em. :laugh: Have a great day! :flowerforyou:

susanaparker

I am struggling with hunger, as I've always had. I'm going over my calorie intake nearly everyday. The problem is, my blood sugar drops too quickly so it's a nightmare trying to balance it on top of dieting. I am pre-diabetic and I take medication (the doctor gave me the option as I don't really need it in a way, but it helps me with the sugar imbalance and I can eat smaller portions and feel satisfied - whereas before I'd eat mindlessly).

So, why I am back on a diet? Well, the tablets (metformin) only works if you eat right and last year I lost the plot, not on portions but on food choices (luckily I no longer eat until I feel like I am about to burst). At Christmas I lost it twice more. And this is the result.

Before taking metformin I had no energy all day, the tiredness was overwhelming, I could only think of sleeping....even after having lost 14kg. Now, providing my blood sugar doesn't drop too low, I can work all day and my brain is still sharp.

I am just saying this for people who might have the same problem as me. I have friends who are overweight but their blood sugar levels remain stable even if they go for a long walk (I have to eat half way).

If this is your case, go to your doctor. There is a test to measure the sugar in your blood for a 3 hour period, as well as the amount of insulin running in your body (in my case it was 4 times more than it should be).