Why am I so hungry today?

Carrot1971

I have eaten my breakfast, midmorning snack and lunch and its only 11am. I've had plenty of fiber and have drank about 6 glasses of water already. And I am STARVING!!! I don't understand. Today is no different than any other day so why can't I get full today?

k9hrd

Bump

FITnFIRM4LIFE

Bump

khadijak17

could TOM be making an appearance anytime soon?

bethanylaugh

is your period coming up soon? i'm always ravenous the day or two before. It's totally natural - i find that drinking coffee with a little flavored creamer and lots of unsweetened iced tea help.

laursey

Some days your body just needs more fuel. Make smart choices and don't worry if you go over your calories, you can make up for them exercising a little longer or hopefully you won't be as hungry tomorrow and can make up for it then. I say don't stress if you go over your calories once in a while as long as over a 7-day period you're averaging out what you should be,

alexa_image

It can also be that you're eating empty calories,
It all depends

kenafein

Green tea helps when I feel hungry.

sjtreely

What was your exercise yesterday?

I find that days when I exercised in excess of a typical workout, I'm more hungry the next day. I found this especially true when I was training for a full marathon.

derkacs

Try to go do something to get your mind off food! Shopping, exercise, etc. Also try to sit in a chair, close your eyes and really ask yourself "Am I starving right now?" Usually helps me get over that urge to eat over boredom feeling.

rsdgirl

o i have these days!! TOM or not LOL i eat lots of fruit and veggies when i get like that good luck

CBranson0503

Green tea helps when I feel hungry.

Green tea helps me too. I stops me from mindless eating at work as well. Did you have strenuous workout yesterday? I work out in the evenings a lot, so when I do my strength training at night, I am always starving in the morning.

Tegan74

TOM or you've been exercising more ~ picking up more weight, going longer on cardio ~ Lately after I go to the gym, even if I eat before, when I leave I'm hungry.

Regmama

I had two days like that last week. I just ate what I was craving on the second day and viola, I was fine again. Your body is telling you something, it won't hurt. Espeically if you're eating the same number of calories each day you may find a day or two where you want to eat more. That's why I usually eat more on the weekends than during the week. So far my body hasn't gained and has lost an average of 3 lbs/week.

My1985Freckles

My guess is TOM is going to knock on your door soon. I ALWAYS get super hungry for 2-3 days about a week prior. It's insane!

ktdid626

I will be ravenous the day after I have a heavy lifting workout. If I do total body conditioning, I'm trying to eat whatever I see. I try to make sure I'm extra cautious the next day and have my protein for muscle growth. I normally eat less on days I have to work (nursing) but if I'm home ITS ON! Sometimes I'd rather be working, making the bacon, and not turning myself into a porker at home!

Carrot1971

Actually, I'm on my period right now (I know...TMI). I understand the PRE-menstrual cravings..but during? Is that normal? I didn't exercise at all last night (off night) and still stuck to my calorie range. I haven't gone over at all in calories in two weeks. I am at work so I can't just get up and leave to get my mind off being hungry. I do have some snacks here (soup, protein bars, tuna, etc) to eat. So you guys suggest eating until I'm hungry (as long as its healthy) or drinking more water??

My1985Freckles

In that case, Drink more WATER!!!! You are probably a little dehydrated, need extra water right now!

ElizabethRoad

What's the weather like? I get hungrier on cold dreary days. Not that it helps very much to know that.

Cfkearney

I was like that yesterday. Since I decided to listen to my body for when its not hungry anymore as a signal to stop eating, I told myself I also need to listen to it when it was telling me it was still hungry. It wasn't a craving for anything sweet or fatty, it was just hungry. So I ate something. I made sure it was healthy and I only ate a small amount. Not the big giant meal that I sometimes think my ravenous tummy wants. Had some more water with it, went about my business like usual without thinking too much about it and eventually the starving feeling subsided. For whatever reasons, whether its TOM, the colder weather, that really kick workout we did yesterday we are still getting burn from...Our bodies just need more on occasion I think.

MissMaryMac33

Your diary isn't open so can't really see what you're eating.... but if you're eating a bunch of bad carbs instead of good carbs, thats one reason. If you're not hydrated enough is another. Also, time of the month plays a role as do certain medications.

kantone999

You had a fair amount of simple carbs made with refined wheat yesterday which are high glycemic foods. They always make me hungry--makes your blood sugar spike then plummet. Instead of the Keebler crackers, try switching to Wasa Flatbread or Dr. Kracker. The wasabread has 7 gms of fiber per piece and fewer calories. If your pasta isn't whole grain, try that. Rice pasta is lower glycemic index than wheat pasta and the brown rice pasta is pretty tasty. I saw some mini candy bars in the afternoon snack. That refined sugar will make your hunger worse. Remember, anything in nature that has a lot of sugar (e.g. fruit) has a LOT of fiber--and water. If you do eat those candy bars, fill up on some major fiber along with them. Better yet, grab an apple. If I'm dying for chocolate, I eat plain dark chocolate for the antioxidants. You can see my diary. Good luck!

WarriorMom2012

Maybe you aren't eating enough. Maybe the weather is cold and the whole "hibernation" mentality is kicking in.

bethanylaugh

=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003134.htm

= i experience this almost every month and usually don't realize it until i'm past lunch...=

Carrot - there are a lot of things that could be going on, you could even be fighting off a cold or other virus and your body wants the extra energy. I would suggest an apple, pickles, etc - anything low-cal with lots of water. Warm water/tea might also work better than cold water. These days are frustrating but totally normal!

graysmom2005

Usually the night before TOM comes I can't eat enough. I'm a maniac. I'm somewhat irregular so I don't know exactly when she's coming....but when I have that night o' food I know she's coming soon..and usually the next day...THERE SHE IS! That definitely can do it..or somedays you're just hungry. If you haven't gone over your calories at all in two weeks, I'd go and have a nice solid meal. Healthy..but a SOLID meal. Sometimes I personally just need to feel a little full every once in awhile. Good luck!

_SusieQ_

Maybe you aren't eating enough. Maybe the weather is cold and the whole "hibernation" mentality is kicking in.

I agree with Lisa. With the colder weather and darkness coming earlier, it's so much easier to fall into "hibernation" mode.

I agree it COULD be due to hormones, but that shouldn't always be to the "go to" for reasons of being hungry. I have been having a period for 28 years, so I'm pretty sure I would know if that WAS the reason. I assume the OP would know as well.

Beastette

Maybe you aren't eating enough. Maybe the weather is cold and the whole "hibernation" mentality is kicking in.

I agree with Lisa. With the colder weather and darkness coming earlier, it's so much easier to fall into "hibernation" mode.

I agree it COULD be due to hormones, but that shouldn't always be to the "go to" for reasons of being hungry. I have been having a period for 28 years, so I'm pretty sure I would know if that WAS the reason. I assume the OP would know as well.

There are some good points in here to consider. First, is this something that happens to you frequently? I think that there is a feature of MFP where you can make notes on the journal. Perhaps tracking those "hungry days" will help you establish a pattern and see what's going on.

Next, you may want to speak to your doctor. Maybe you are eating enough calories, but deficient in some other nutrient. Your body may be asking you for something it truly needs. Have them check your Vitamin D levels, which can in fact trigger a "hibernation" effect in your mood. It can even trigger seasonal affective disorder.

Lastly, it may really be your period. Hormones do regulate much of your bodily functions. HOWEVER, when I allowed myself to accept this I found myself routinely gaining a few lbs leading up to my TOM. I never actually made any progress gaining and losing the same few lbs every month. I think you are just being cautioned against this pitfall.

Either way, tracking and notifying your doctor should help.

Carrot1971

Thanks for all the advise. The pasta I ate today and yesterday was whole wheat. I gave up white pasta when I put my mind to losing this 30#. The candy bars curbs my chocolate craving for TOM..lol. This doesn't happen to me often at all. Even during/before my TOM. I do notice, however, that I do tend to gain 2-3 lbs when TOM hits and I haven't gained that weight this time. Maybe there is something to that. I've been drinking more water this afternoon and made a cup of green tea. I was super busy this afternoon so it took my mind off my hunger for a bit. Now I can feel the growling again. Luckily its almost time to go home and make dinner. What do you suggest?? I would typically make grilled chicken with steamed brocolli tonight maybe with some beets.