How are some people not hungry when below their calories?

foremant86 · March 2012

The mind is a powerful thing.

It's the same way we convince ourselves that we're hungry and over eat.

Neither is healthy.

jhardenbergh · March 2012

well I barely ever go over my daily allowance, I'm usually not hungry. Eating say 2000 calories of lean proteins and fiber are going to fill someone up a lot better than 2000 calories of say twinkies and ho ho's. I guess quality of calories at least for me makes a huge difference if feeling hungry or feeling full. Also drinking a lot of water helps, cause many times when you think you are hungry you are really thirsty.

muzmacol · March 2012

I'm on 1630 cals a day. I exercise 5 times a week, with an average of about 650 cals burn. I rarely eat my burned cals. 1630 seems enough for me. I have no idea why, will power? determination? i dont know its just the way it is at the moment.

watboy · March 2012

I dont do it cus I just don't feel hungry. Its not because im used to undereating. I eat pretty much the same food except i no longer eat fried food and no more chips and doritos and such. I just dont feel hungry. One thing ive been doing to get closer to net is drinking extra protein shakes. Sip it througt out a few hours it makes it easier.If i try to eat anymore i feel sick. Some people just cant eat a lot. I also been adding a bit more milk in my cereal. Just add a few extra healthy food items if you can do it. Funny how some people think overweight people got that way from eating a lot and here we are saying we cant eat anymore. Irony anyone?

ruffalicious · March 2012

I always see posts about some people having trouble eating enough. I'd be so drained during my work outs if I don't eat enough.

For everyone who has trouble eating enough is it more mental or are you just not hungry anymore?

After i worked out really hard,sometimes i dont feel hungry at all and several times i forced myself to eat some snacks or cereal at night just so i dont get way too under from 1200 calories.. i try to eat exactly 1200 or a little over 1200... Sometimes i eat half of my calories burned from exercise back but i never eat them all...

watboy · March 2012

I dont do it cus I just don't feel hungry. Its not because im used to undereating. I eat pretty much the same food except i no longer eat fried food and no more chips and doritos and such. I just dont feel hungry. One thing ive been doing to get closer to net is drinking extra protein shakes. Sip it througt out a few hours it makes it easier.If i try to eat anymore i feel sick. Some people just cant eat a lot. I also been adding a bit more milk in my cereal. Just add a few extra healthy food items if you can do it. Funny how some people think overweight people got that way from eating a lot and here we are saying we cant eat anymore. Irony anyone?

kak2m4 · March 2012

I don't know why either. I finally decided on some rules:

1. Always eat at least 1200 calories.
2. On M/W/F- always eat back all my exercise calories.
3. The rest of the week I attempt to eat at least half.

I can tell you that since I started really exercising (Zumba and more) I do actually get hungry more. My body wants its exercise calories back!

Re: feeling more hungry after working out, I'm kind of the opposite. Exercising suppresses my appetite. It's funny how people are so different!

bellevie23 · March 2012

Ive built myself to eating at least 1200 calories, when I first started I was around 1000 maybe, I just don't think about eating, now I have to make a mental note to take time to eat, I get so busy chasing my 3 kids around, I fix them meals, some would think this is a ideal time to eat, but it isnt, because I have to feed one of them, patrol the other as he enjoys dropping his food on the ground, and ensure the other one eats all her food, then after lunch comes naps, to get all 3 to nap at once is a battle, so hopefully I get to eat my lunch during naps, in the mornings the minute they wake up I am cooking/changing diapers/etc. I mean honestly for me it takes a effort to remember to eat and I think after a while, your body gets used to not eating much. I can eat very little during the day and not be phased, however I know that isn't ideal so I force myself to carve times in, set timers, etc on when to eat so time doesnt fly by and I turn and its already supper time and I havent eaten any solid meals.

Im not saying this is how everyone manages to eat so low calories, just pointing out I can see how it happens.

nisemac · March 2012

Since I joined MFPand started tracking my meals, I've had this issue. I'm noticing, as mentioned by others, my 'hunger' is dependent on many factors: mental (emotions, stress); physical (activity levels); consistency with diet and exercise; my schedule (there is a tendency to miss meals or fall off a normal regimen). Also important is the quality of my calories. Making better food choices on a regular basis seems to decrease my appetite, compared to when i just eat whatever.

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange · March 2012

well I barely ever go over my daily allowance, I'm usually not hungry. Eating say 2000 calories of lean proteins and fiber are going to fill someone up a lot better than 2000 calories of say twinkies and ho ho's. I guess quality of calories at least for me makes a huge difference if feeling hungry or feeling full. Also drinking a lot of water helps, cause many times when you think you are hungry you are really thirsty.

funny that at 4'11 and <100 pounds I can eat well over 2000 a day and still WANT more. lol.

watboy · March 2012

That's pretty cool lol.

well I barely ever go over my daily allowance, I'm usually not hungry. Eating say 2000 calories of lean proteins and fiber are going to fill someone up a lot better than 2000 calories of say twinkies and ho ho's. I guess quality of calories at least for me makes a huge difference if feeling hungry or feeling full. Also drinking a lot of water helps, cause many times when you think you are hungry you are really thirsty.

funny that at 4'11 and <100 pounds I can eat well over 2000 a day and still WANT more. lol.

HotChrissy · March 2012

When eating healthy, I eat up to or below my calories because I don't crave or binge on healthy food. I eat just enough to not be hungry anymore and stop, whether or not I've finished my plate. Which is how it should be all the time.

Now if it were chicken wings or mac and cheese, I would keep eating even though I'm no longer hungry until I'm stuffed.

MrsGoHard · March 2012

With the exception of this week... This was my issue. This week, I've been eating pretty good, but I've also been skimping on my water. And there's the issue... When I'm drinking my water like I'm supposed to... That's when I don't get all of my calories because I'm just not hungry.