Hungry!

Xiaolongbao

I've got my weight loss set to 1 lb per week (it's early days but so far that's pretty much what I've been losing). I eat back most of my exercise calories. All my calorie intake is food (no drinks, the only thing I like drinking most of the time is water so that's no hardship). I cook from scratch and eat plenty of fibre.

But I'm pretty much always HUNGRY. I thought my bady would settle into the new routine after a week or two but it hasn't.

Anyone had a similar experience or have suggestions? I know my diet isn't by any means perfect but I feel like I should be able to be more satisfied on the calories I'm eating.

Xiaolongbao

By the way if you look at my diary please be aware that only the calories are accurate. I don't track anything else.

Hambone23

I started in late December. (I lost a good chunk before MFP eating lazy frozen meals.) I'm only now starting to eat more cleanly, which has helped me from feeling hungry all the time. It takes a bit, unfortunately. At first, I had to eat all my calories. But as my MFP friends began to inspire me to eat cleaner, I found the hunger dissipating believe it or not. I changed a couple things on suggestions from my MFP friends too. I upped my protein quite a bit (I never liked PB much, but I eat it almost every day and find it very satisfying/filling, and I upped my intake of fish, eggs, etc.). I also ate more healthy fats. Now, I'm eating a lot of fresh produce, and I have to say I'm not as hungry as I used to be. I find a bigger breakfast helps too. I'm not eating all my calories anymore, though I /do/ still have hungry days, and then I eat pretty much all my calories, which is absolutely okay. It took me a little longer to get on a cleaner eating plan (and I'm not a total clean eater; I do indulge now and then within my calories), but now that I have, I'm glad. It took me about three months to work through that transition. It's not something you can do overnight, or, at least, I couldn't. Your body /will/ adjust, though.

Xiaolongbao

What's PB?

I'm pseudo vegetarian but I think I eat plenty of protein - maybe I'll have to make more effort to track it.

I think I'm a pretty clean eater. I haven't actually changed what I eat since I joined MFP, it's just the quantities I've had to adjust. I've cut back on fruit and bread (compared to before) to get under my calorie goal.

Hambone23

PB = Peanut Butter. And I'm sorry, I didn't know you were vegetarian. After I took a look at your diary again, I thought maybe splitting up your calories and meals into six small meals might work better for you if you're hungry all the time. Or maybe try a more filling "snack" between meals: nuts, a small portion of beans, peanut butter, trail mix--something more filling that would be more likely to tide you over from meal to meal. I know you said you get enough protein, but when I was always hungry, it was a combo of extra protein and good fats that satisfied me the most. A piece of fruit between meals did almost nothing for my hunger. These days, I don't worry about being over in protein and fats, as long as they're mostly the good fats. It works for me. And I still lose about a pound a week, though I only weigh myself monthly. But experiment. See what works for you.

KPainter70

You don't eat nearly enough protein. Upping that will help you feel a lot less hungry.

tinana_RN

I agree with the protein thing- you have to find it somewhere. I don't call myself a vegetarian by any means, I just don't like the taste of certain meats- but I drink 2-3 protein shakes a day.

castlerobber

You need more fat and protein. Try adding olive oil, peanut butter or other nut butters. You said you're pseudo-vegetarian--if you aren't opposed to eating eggs, cheese, or yogurt, you can get some good-quality protein there.

Xiaolongbao

Thanks (and thanks for telling me what PB is... I was thinking "personal best" and I knew that didn't make sense).

I am off on holidays so when I get back I'll make a concerted effort to up the protein. I do eat eggs so I'll add in more of those. The yoghurt here is very sugary and sweet so I'll skip that and I already eat too much cheese but I can definitely add in some nuts. Maybe it's a fat thing too. There is fat in a lot of the food I eat (soy milk, cheese, avocado) but I don't add it to anything. Nuts would help with that too.

Ok PB on toast for lunch today!