On day 6 and boy am I hungry!

candicejn

I know it's normal to feel a bit hungry when you start a new way of eating, and I dropped from an average of 2000 cals a day down to 1400 when I started MFP on Sunday, but oh boy am I hungry today! I ate a big breakfast to try to keep myself from overdoing it later, so hopefully that helps some. Anybody have any pointers otherwise?

Thanks

carolinedb

Make sure you're eating foods that are high in fiber and protein. You can eat a lot more food for 1400 calories than you think!

Fairysoul

Healthy snacks that are low in calorie, like carrots and celery, also almonds are great a lot of people here reccomend that! Pick foods that are filling, eat a salad before dinner just watch the calories on your dressing and you will feel fuller...

Corey_louise35

I try to drink some water before i eat anything. Water takes up some space, so I'm prone not to eat as much.

ameyc2002

try to get in as much water as you can it will help keep you feeling full

irisheyez718

Try to get some exercise in and then you can eat more! Drink more water! Sorry, that's all I have right now..LOL It does get better!

micahnelson

You know that feeling after eating too much food that you love? Well thats the feeling of gaining weight. You are now feeling the opposite of that. Hang in there, chew gum so you are less likely to snack, if you break down make sure you have a really big glass of water first and wait 15 minutes.

AdventureFreak

I cannot see your diet but lean protein and good complex carbohydrates will help to sustain satisfaction. Most people recommend at least 20% of your calories be protein. Many people eat 35-40% or more in protein.

Some complex carbs that come to mind are beans, real oats, and whole wheat pastas/breads.



Ryan

mikegohl

Eat a normal breakfast and plan some healthy snacks.

ElizabethRoad

For me it's easier to have a mid-morning snack (high in protein) than to eat a big breakfast and hope it lasts until lunch.

Also, a cup of tea seems to help. And maybe it's just me but mint tea is even better. If you can go for a walk that might curb your appetite a little as well.

Personally I don' t let myself get too hungry - I am always hungry for lunch but I'm not going to sit there and starve for 3 or 4 hours.

dianaskin

I know they say to have big breakfasts, medium lunches and small dinners but I find that it doesn't work for me, hunger control wise. When I have a smaller breakfast, I tend to eat a little less during the day. (Again, that's just me...might not work for you/your metabolism).

Some tips, though:
DRINK LOTS OF WATER! I have water with me and I sip sip sip all day long. That really keeps hunger in check.
ADD PROTEIN to every meal. The protein keeps you full longer.
HIGH FIBRE foods also keep you full (i.e. apples, pears, whole grain breads, etc)
SNACK on nuts...but be careful of portion sizes

Good luck!

netchik

We often confuse thirst for hunger, so always start with a glass of water before you reach for food Good luck! iT GETS MUCH EASIER!!

margeaux49

look at what you eat as well as how many calories. Eat things high in fiber and drink lots of water with it. The fiber fills you up for longer and the water fills up your tummy too. If you are eating lots of carbs make sure they are good complex carbs that take longer to digest as that will make you feel full longer.
Good luck. You can do it. :-)

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I was hungry for the first month until I changed my diet to mainly lean proteins and a crap ton of veggies. For me, it takes 1 month of constant vigilence for something to become habit. Good luck. I also made sure to earn a lot more calories in the gym so that when I was hungry I could eat.

xasov

Pocket_Pixi

Make sure you're eating foods that are high in fiber and protein. You can eat a lot more food for 1400 calories than you think!

^^This.

Pocket_Pixi

Computer went all weird and posted 3 times sorry!

kheady

Instead of eating so many calories at breakfast save some for a mid morning snack. Try to spread the calories out over the whole day. Do you like, cucumbers, pickles celery?? These are low calorie or NO calorie snacks that can tide you over. Balancing your meals also helps dont eat just carbs try to get in a balance of the food groups.

Pocket_Pixi

see above post. My work computer hates me

fitaliciag

Try spacing your meals out for every 3 hours. if you eat about 200-300 calories every 3 hours, you stay feeling satisfied. high fiber and high protein are the way to go. no "empty" calories like soda and candy. they just play games with your blood sugar and make you feel hungrier later. you are also more than likely on a "carb withdrawl" of some sort as well since most of us become addicted to carbs (good and bad). It will pass.

Robinkinchen

Stay well hydrated. Eat quality food, don't waste calories on junk food. Remember that this will pass once your body becomes accustomed to this change you won't feel hungry all of the time.

aimes8

Hiya.. hang in there just eat as normal but more healtiher, what i do i eat smaller potions more often. I snack on fruits try to drink water (but I'm not always good at that) and I prepare all my meals so I know that I am getting a healthier choice. Once your body begins to get accustom to your new way of eating you will feel alot better.

Ephena

What are you eating? Protein and fiber will fill you up and stay with you. Chicken, hummus, eggs, protein powders, peanut or almond butter, low fat cheeses. Lots of veggies like lettuce, spinach, carrots, tomatoes (okay technically they're a fruit), celery, onions, mushrooms, avocado, and sweet potatoes. Fruits like apples and pomegranates. Check the calories, sugar, sodium, and fiber in your breads. The sandwich and bagel thins can be handy when you're craving bread. Also lots and lots of water. Try drinking a glass or two about 15 minutes before you eat a meal. If you're exercising make sure you do something afterwards like a protein shake or even milk to give your body recovery nutrients.

laursey

Like anything, your body will adjust. Always have convenient portable snacks everywhere, your purse, desk, car. Peanuts, raisins, chesse strings, Crispy Mini flavoured rice cakes, blueberries, fish crackers, carrots, cucumber, pea pods, and like everyone else said, water.
My favorite go-to snack is hummus on a plain rice cake. If I'm hungry, that's what I reach for. I almost always works for me.
Hang in there. It gets way, way easier.
Also, if you're hungry, go for a walk so you'll burn some more calories to eat.
Good luck!


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PoppyinBoulder

Soup - soup - soup - I like Progresso Light soups. Eat the whole can (app 2 servings) for less than 200 calories and it's so filling and sticks with you.

Plus what everyone else said :-)

candicejn

Thank you so much for all the replies, and so quickly! Love this site

I did unlock my diary (I think?) - meant to do that before I posted so you guys could give me advice. I do drink water before I eat, I try to eat veggies/salad/protein. I know I could do better, but I'm trying I know part of it is that I dropped my carb intake from before and I'm adjusting to the sugar drop. I just hope it finishes adjusting soon, 'cause I'm grumpy today

I appreciate all the help

vsmith1981

I use distraction technique.

I "think" I'm hungry a lot more than I actually am - this comes from both 1) emotional hunger and 2) not eating enough throughout the day and then feeling so hungry that when I eat I don't eat slowly enough or take a long enough break that I eat too much thinking I'm still hungry.

so. I distract myself.

Number 1 - If I am eating alone I try to "eat on the fly" - meaning that I eat right before I have to go and do something else, or I eat and then start a chore at home. I think one of the worst things we do is eat + a relaxing activity (like watching tv or reading) because we don't realize we are eating (not paying attention) and then we eat more because we are just sitting relaxing. So I usually eat right before I am due to leave the house to go meet a friend or I eat and then do the clean up or the laundry or take out the garbage/recycling or eat and then get on the phone or eat and then go pick up the dry cleaning... basically anything to buy yourself that 20 minutes of distraction you need to realize you are actually full.

Number 2 - I eat 100 cal packs of almonds when i feel hungry (for snacks usually) and then try to get back to work or back to whatever I am doing. Snacking is so important as many people on here have already said - if you wait too long between meals you will feel hungry and then if you are like me you will overeat or binge eat.

Number 3 - don't indulge alone. Make your solitary meals your most healthy - I find that when I am "treating myself" by myself I will binge (especially if I am hungry from not eating enough throughout the day) - but if I am having a treat - like pizza or a frozen yogurt or a handful of chips with friends, I eat less. My unhealthy eating is shameful to me so I find that if I make a lot of social pplans to eat, I actually eat less and eat more healthy.

But ya - WAY better to eat 200-300 for breakfast, 100 for snack, 300 for lunch, 100 for snack, 400 for dinner.

Are you exercising?

ElizabethRoad

I know part of it is that I dropped my carb intake from before and I'm adjusting to the sugar drop. I just hope it finishes adjusting soon, 'cause I'm grumpy today

That definitely sounds like you need to incorporate a snack!

maura5880

You'll definitely adjust once you've been eating like this for a lil longer than 6 days Don't worry.

webfootcajun

i eat small meals every 2-3 hours all day. it really helps. and water, drink water, i flavor it with either mio or crystal light to give me some taste. your body will adjust, just stick with it.

grassette

I am eating at around 1200 calories per day, with each meal being about 400 calories. In the morning, I eat old fashioned rolled oats with Greek yoghurt, with a cup of wild blueberries. Quick oats just leave me hungry. That sets my base for the day, and I am not hungry all morning. At lunch, 3 oz meat or fish. At supper, 6 oz meat or fish, with a cup of pasta/potatoes/quinoa or similar. Veggies and fruit all day, within my calorie allotment. This is pretty filling and I am not hungry. Make sure that what you choose to eat within your 1400 calories is filling, takes time to digest.

I have always been a from-scratch cook, with a strong tendency towards whole foods with a minimum amount of processing in them. I am eating the same, but counting my calories, adjusting portions, cutting out daily desert and increasing the exercise. So the diet has been healthy, but sometimes a little too rich, with portions a tad too large. You might have different changes to make depending upon what your eating habits are.

For the sugar drop, plan to eat a fruit, or a hard candy. And make sure your meals are at regular times. Clock when your sugar drop happens and plan your meals/snacks accordingly.

And make sure you drink the recommended amount of water. That also makes a difference.