How do you stop wanting to eat?

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Replies

  • tstawicki
    tstawicki Posts: 61 Member
    All of the suggestions are good. Also see if you are avoiding something else in your life or don't want to do something, sometimes that behavior leads us to look at food as comfort.
  • TamTamW
    TamTamW Posts: 27
    Thank you everyone! I appreciate your help! :happy:
  • Dinob661
    Dinob661 Posts: 251 Member
    My trick that usually does it is to drink a ton of water. I mean a lot. say I am at my calorie goal for the day and i dont want to push myself over, I will drink water until I can't take it any more.

    Just don't do it before very long car trips :D
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    I was a big "eat when I want to, instead of when I need to" kind of person. Honestly this site helps alot... IF YOU USE IT, and really log EVERYTHING. Keep your food diary private, esp the 1st week or however long you need to...and reallllllly log every single bite. So you can see what you reallllllllly consume compared to what you "think" you consume.
    Also, instead of buying nothing but carrots and celery and expecting to live off that (which you wont...bc lets face it, you never have. Just like I never have lol hence why we are here lol) just try finding the "healthier alternative to the things you love. For instance, I eat carrots, with Ranch. But I make Ranch dip with light sour cream, I make homemade pizza with spinach, tomatoes and turkey pepperoni or a margarita pizza with some olive oil and tomatoes... I get to control the cheese and I leave out all the butter and meats a normal pizza place load on. I switched hamburger with Turkey burgers.. I buy baked Cheetos instead of the real ones (and they taste the same!) and baked tostitos with salsa, again..they taste the same. I buy Ken's lite caesar dressing instead of the real thing..takes off loads of cals and fat... Do whatever you have to do to lessen your calories but still eat relatively the same things you were eating. By doing this I have noticed that I can still have what I want... just in a better way.
    I have gotten to the point that I never go over 1200 cals per day, and I am still eating the things I like, not just salad with no dressing, or never having a chip ever again lol But I am still staying within healthy portions and with lower calorie and fat type foods. I have gotten to the point where I feel good enough about my diet, that I am starting P90X in 2 days! I am scared, but excited, and I think once you learn to control one thing, you are your way to controlling all of it :)
    Also, I know its bad, but I love my coffee... I have that too! And like others have said, water 1st.... then eat after.. that way your tummy is full before you even start. :)
    Good luck!!!!!!!!! You can do it ;)
  • zzzeldazz
    zzzeldazz Posts: 19
    I agree it's not a food issue.......It's hard for me too. I love food.
  • ReinasWrath
    ReinasWrath Posts: 1,173 Member
    Water, like most people are saying, and try to brush your teeth more often. Most foods taste gross after you brush your teeth so it might help keep you from snacking.
  • EchoOfYourPast
    EchoOfYourPast Posts: 459 Member
    TamTam,

    I love food too...i love to cook....i love using heavy cream, lots of butter, lots of cheese and I also ate fast food alot. I have learned..with the help of people on this site to look for lower calorie items.
    For example: I used to eat bread that was 110 calories a slice....i now eat bread that is 40 calories a slice.
    Making choices like this as often as i can lets me eat more food and still stay within calorie limits.
    I still don't always make perfect choices ...but i am learning and getting better at it!
    As far as fast food...i made a list of the things i liked to order from different places and just look at the awful amt of calories in things......it has helped me to make the decision to go home and fix something a bit more healthier.
    We used to deep fry alot.....i now pan fry with cooking spray or olive oil as much as possible.
    Just using the MFP app to keep track of my food helps me quite a bit. Most days i do really well....if i go over a day...i don't beat myself up over it....i start fresh the next meal! Good luck!
    San :)
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    TamTam,

    I love food too...i love to cook....i love using heavy cream, lots of butter, lots of cheese and I also ate fast food alot. I have learned..with the help of people on this site to look for lower calorie items.
    For example: I used to eat bread that was 110 calories a slice....i now eat bread that is 40 calories a slice.
    Making choices like this as often as i can lets me eat more food and still stay within calorie limits.
    I still don't always make perfect choices ...but i am learning and getting better at it!
    As far as fast food...i made a list of the things i liked to order from different places and just look at the awful amt of calories in things......it has helped me to make the decision to go home and fix something a bit more healthier.
    We used to deep fry alot.....i now pan fry with cooking spray or olive oil as much as possible.
    Just using the MFP app to keep track of my food helps me quite a bit. Most days i do really well....if i go over a day...i don't beat myself up over it....i start fresh the next meal! Good luck!
    San :)



    Exactly :)
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    1) Log food before you eat it. This helps insert rational thought between the feeling of wanting and the actual act of eating.
    2) Ask yourself whether you're genuinely hungry, or whether you're seeking comfort.
    3) Ask yourself whether food will actually fix the problem that's depressing or worrying you. (Or might it even make things worse?)
    4) With comfort eating you've basically got crossed wires around how to 'look after yourself'. You're nurturing yourself, quite literally, with food. You need to find alternative self-care strategies. Different ways of caring for yourself. For me (I know this sounds awfully worthy!) that's become exercise. It's a far better way of caring for me than stuffing my face with chocolate, and it makes me feel good in just the same way.
  • madamepsychosis
    madamepsychosis Posts: 472 Member
    Make sure you're always hydrated, as a lot of the time when you think you want a snack, you could well just be really healthy. Up your water intake and if you feel yourself wanting to eat needlessly, drink a cold glass of water and wait to see how you feel after it. Chewing gum, like others have suggested, is a good idea too.

    One thing I've always found useful is to do something that keeps your hands busy. Do you knit or sew? I find reading helps too. If I start to want to snack, but know I don't really need it, I paint my nails. It keeps my hands busy, I can't do anything with them while they're still wet and the smell usually makes me not feel so hungry anymore.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    Help!

    I am new to this site, just started it a couple of days ago so I need all the support I can get. My biggest thing is that I LOVE to eat. I don't eat out of hunger, I eat because I love food. And not "good for you" food either. I am a person with depression so food is a temporary escape for me. I don't know how to get away from that "wanting to eat" feeling.

    - think of things to do instead of eating, especially if it's absent mindedly eating. go for a walk, call a friend, write ina journal, read a book, play with your cat, etc
    - dont keep junk food in your house or any other food that's easy to eat without thinking. this works well for me. like now i really want to eat something since i'm kind of bored but all i have is "real food" and i dont really feel like heating up a bowl of soup. but if i had chips OH BABY, it would be on.


    hope this helps
  • mrs_march
    mrs_march Posts: 2 Member
    I always find if you eat little and often of good foods and drink water it keeps you full. The other good trick is if you want to eat brush your teeth then you go off the idea of food and if you are like me and want food often you end up with cracking teeth! lol Good luck xxx
  • clareeast
    clareeast Posts: 64
    another thing that helps me is I almost always brush my teeth right after I finish eating anything! I don't know about anybody else, but I HATE eating right after I brush my teeth...

    This. It works for me - and distraction, doing something else. I like needlecrafts and list-writing and computer games, but you have to find what works for you.

    The emotional eating thing is a tough nut to crack - yes, you think eating this will make you feel better, and oh it tastes good, but then you've swallowed it and it's gone, what will make you feel better now? And then, did you really want that, it's all calories and fat and no good nutrition, you shouldn't have eaten that, you feel terrible, what can you have to make you feel better?

    If you've never had to deal with this, you're lucky - and you're in no position to judge!

    Good luck, I hope you manage to tackle your demons. They'll always be there, somewhere (this I know!), but you just have to teach them to "know their place."
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    1) Log food before you eat it. This helps insert rational thought between the feeling of wanting and the actual act of eating.
    2) Ask yourself whether you're genuinely hungry, or whether you're seeking comfort.
    3) Ask yourself whether food will actually fix the problem that's depressing or worrying you. (Or might it even make things worse?)
    4) With comfort eating you've basically got crossed wires around how to 'look after yourself'. You're nurturing yourself, quite literally, with food. You need to find alternative self-care strategies. Different ways of caring for yourself. For me (I know this sounds awfully worthy!) that's become exercise. It's a far better way of caring for me than stuffing my face with chocolate, and it makes me feel good in just the same way.


    Good Advice!
  • lollaler
    lollaler Posts: 69 Member
    love the nail painting comment thanks for that. i am much the same as tam tam and new to this...
    thats an awesome idea. that will keep nails nice all the time, - i always say i have no time to paint my nails, remove the polish and redo..
    so now everytime i feel like a bad snack i'll give myself a manicure :):smile:
  • jlbay
    jlbay Posts: 473 Member
    All of these are great ideas.

    I struggle with the same thing. I love food, love to cook. Also, I have tons of emotional stuff around eating (surprise, surprise).

    I find, when I first start tracking my food again to get back within healthy eating, that is the worst. I feel the most anxious about eating and wanting to eat when not hungry in the first 2-3 weeks.

    Number one best thing that helps when that, "I want to eat SOMEthing" feeling grabs a hold: do something physical. Take a short walk outside, get up and just walk the stairs a few times, stretch. I think it helps to disperse the nervous energy.
  • madamepsychosis
    madamepsychosis Posts: 472 Member
    love the nail painting comment thanks for that. i am much the same as tam tam and new to this...
    thats an awesome idea. that will keep nails nice all the time, - i always say i have no time to paint my nails, remove the polish and redo..
    so now everytime i feel like a bad snack i'll give myself a manicure :):smile:

    Your welcome :) I used to have a horrible nail-biting habit and I've found that painting them pretty colours has also put a stop to that, so it has even more benefits hehe.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    I'm the same way.... I see something and REAAAAAAAAAALLLY want it. If its available to me, I'll eat it.


    Self control is hard. It takes practice. Its taken me a year to lose 40lbs... and I'm still having to control myself.
  • msgsarah
    msgsarah Posts: 53 Member
    Hi there

    Some great suggestions on this thread. I just wanted to share my step process that I use when I get the urge to eat because I am bored or just want the sensation of eating something. I follow this to stop myself getting chocolate cravings!

    1) First of all, make sure you don't have any snack food in the house. I never buy in biscuits, crisps, chocolate etc in the weekly shop. I tell myself I can stil have them, but I have to walk to the shop to go and get them! If they're not easily to hand, 9 times out of ten I will get over the craving!
    2) If I'm still hungry, like others have said, I down a couple of glasses of water. You may be thirsty instead and interpreting it as hunger. Also, water is so good for your body and mental health, it can't hurt.
    3) If I STILL feel like I want something, I will sometimes try a cup of green tea. It speeds your metabolism up and it's warm which can make you feel fuller.
    4) If I'm STILL hungry, I'll try having a healthy snack - like an apple or some carrot sticks. I tell myself if I'm genuinely hungry, this will be what my body needs..
    5) If all else fails, and I'm STILL hungry, I will go for a walk and get the damn chocolate. At least I have tried my best to resist, and walking to get it will help burn off some of the calories!

    Hope this helps a little! x
  • amibeachcomber
    amibeachcomber Posts: 28
    Natural endorphins are released when you exercise which should help with your depression. Extra Sugarless Gum has dessert flavors with only 5 calories per stick....Key Lime Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, Apple Pie, Mint Chocolate Chip and Orange Creamsicle. Might help. Also, drink alot of water.......I put lemon wedges in mine. Good luck. :smile:
  • skin_and_b0nes
    skin_and_b0nes Posts: 2
    every time you are hungry when you shouldn't be eating have some water. if you do if for long enough you'll replace food with water by habit
  • TaylorsGranddad
    TaylorsGranddad Posts: 453 Member
    took me about a second, hence the first response.. but hey on a more serrious note try drinking lots of water because most times when you feel you are hungry the body is actually thirsty and will be more than satisfied if you drink a tall glass of water or two... so before you eat try that and i bet half the time it will fill you up
    [/quote]

    100% right your brain confuses thirst for hunger, so drink water then if hungry after about 20/30 mins eat, don't starve yourself. BTW if you love food (I do) try to walk and use the calories to counter poor food choices, works for me.
  • lururu
    lururu Posts: 123 Member
    Comfort and reward with things and experiences instead of food. Also hobbies that use your hands are good, I sew and I have made a lot of things since I started eating better :p

    You will get used to not eating and cutting out junk, don't worry :)
  • Selma10001984
    Selma10001984 Posts: 206 Member
    HBBrown78@ nice respons!
  • SusanLovesToEat
    SusanLovesToEat Posts: 213 Member
    Seems that you need coping strategies to deal with the underlying emotional issues. Sometimes this is only needing to find something else that you do when you feel the need to eat. There are a lot of resources out there so keep looking.

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