So friggin hungry!!!

I'm eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and proteins. I eat more than the recommended fiber every day. I drink water all day long. Why am I soooo hungry?? It's worst at night so I know it's at least partially emotional, but I'm physically hungry and out of calories. I'm so tempted to binge.

Suggestions?
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Replies

  • mmstgr
    mmstgr Posts: 578 Member
    If you have thoughtfully decided you ARE hungry, then you should eat IMO
  • DianeG213
    DianeG213 Posts: 253
    If you feel comfortable opening your food diary, it might help with suggestions.
  • ArtemisMoon
    ArtemisMoon Posts: 144
    If your body is used to much higher calories and portion sizes, it is going to take some time to adjust. I have been at it nearly a month and still experience some almost overwhelming bouts of hunger. It is rough, but your body will adjust! I know because I am starting all over from the beginning after losing and gaining back 40 lbs. Ugh...
  • nursewhy
    nursewhy Posts: 17
    I'm definitely used to much more food than what I'm eating. Not sure how many calories I was eating before but suffice it to say... a lot!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    How many calories are you NETTING a day?
  • nursewhy
    nursewhy Posts: 17
    Just opened my profile.
  • nursewhy
    nursewhy Posts: 17
    How many calories are you NETTING a day?

    1300-1500
  • ArtemisMoon
    ArtemisMoon Posts: 144
    Same here! I don't want to know what I was eating before. I went to visit family Saturday, and they are my downfall. All about eating, and they use any excuse to eat out. Even eating a meatless portabella burger for lunch, I still figure I went 2,000 calories OVER my daily limit that day! And it was so easy! I was horrified and it made me realize how I was probably eating similar to that on a daily basis.
  • chocoholicdiva
    chocoholicdiva Posts: 345 Member
    I find that it's only easy when you're on a diet that you become hungry because you're deprived of the calories you were once eating that no longer exist in your daily intake. Before this, you were just eating anything, because you were hungry, or at least your body was telling you that it was. Now you have to track every little thing you eat, and you're given a calorie limit, and you're now missing calories from your daily intake. Your body wants the calories you aren't eating, and it's telling you LOUDLY. There's a term for it, I read it in a magazine once, it's called hanger. Are you having trouble trying not to snap at people while you're hungry? When that's the case, it's because you're lacking essential calories, as in you could be eating too few for your needs. You might need to tweak your diet a bit if this is the case, or things could get ugly!!! :grumble:
  • Skinny_Beans
    Skinny_Beans Posts: 405 Member
    It looks like while you're eating a lot of calories, you're also eating a lot of carbs, which can make you hungry even when your stomach is full and you've met your nutritional needs for the day. Try to stay away from bread, and sugary stuff like slim fast shakes or protein bars. If you're like me, they only make you hungrier.
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    I would suggest eating a more dense protein at dinner....chicken breast, turkey burger, lean beef, fish filet. It may hold you better in the evenings. Also check out these two groups. You can still eat over 2000 calories and lose weight.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/17-women-eating-2-000-calories-per-day
  • zumbagirlwf
    zumbagirlwf Posts: 18 Member
    I feel the same way. I've come to the conclusion that eating is a hobby for me. I love food. I love everything about it. I work at a supermarket where I smell bread and cookies baking all day long and fried chicken cooking. My husband loves to cook and makes authentic Mexican food all the time. I just love it, but I have decided that I love myself more than food and I will conquer this. I WILL be in that bikini by the end of summer. It may be the end but I'm going to give it everything I have. Time to take back control and enjoy my life.
  • nursewhy
    nursewhy Posts: 17
    Thanks for the suggestion. Sugar is definitely a weakness for me. Guess I didn't even consider Slim Fast and protein bars to be a culprit!
  • nursewhy
    nursewhy Posts: 17
    I would suggest eating a more dense protein at dinner....chicken breast, turkey burger, lean beef, fish filet. It may hold you better in the evenings. Also check out these two groups. You can still eat over 2000 calories and lose weight.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/17-women-eating-2-000-calories-per-day

    I don't eat a lot of meat but I'll give it a try. :)
  • zumbagirlwf
    zumbagirlwf Posts: 18 Member
    When I start thinking about food I chew the extra gum that taste like key lime pie. Taste like dessert and the chewing motion makes me feel like I'm eating and takes my mind off of it. LOL And it only has 5 calories.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Really, If you get a good fat burn going on your body, it will cut your appetite well. I like hoodia (herb) to cut the appetite, too...just so I can make good food choices, rather than grabbing the fastest (carb) calories 'cause I am so hungry.

    I think it helps alot to go for a quick rev-it-up run (15-20 min), then eat a small veggie and protein meal/snack.

    :)MinMin
  • Skinny_Beans
    Skinny_Beans Posts: 405 Member
    Thanks for the suggestion. Sugar is definitely a weakness for me. Guess I didn't even consider Slim Fast and protein bars to be a culprit!

    I tried slimfast and GAINED weight! I finally read the ingredients and sugar was the first one! Same with clif bars :C which sucks bc I love 'em. I drink almond milk and natures way metabolic reset chocolate shake-it's VERY filling, low sugar, and even has some fiber. Add a banana and peanut butter, and I'm full for a good 4-5 hours on 12 ounces.
  • tlc12078
    tlc12078 Posts: 334 Member
    I know how oyu feel. I work exercise to give me more cals so I can eat or snack if I want to. I call it *earning my food* so I can trick my head lol I also have been looking and over viewing calories on everything. Even bread. I was so mad when I want to make a sandwich n 1 piece of white bread was 90 cals. SO I found bread to where I can have 2 slices and 70 cals for all. I think its all about out smarting it.
  • tlc12078
    tlc12078 Posts: 334 Member
    I know how oyu feel. I work exercise to give me more cals so I can eat or snack if I want to. I call it *earning my food* so I can trick my head lol I also have been looking and over viewing calories on everything. Even bread. I was so mad when I want to make a sandwich n 1 piece of white bread was 90 cals. SO I found bread to where I can have 2 slices and 70 cals for all. I think its all about out smarting it.

    Sorry about the typos. :)
  • Try some greek yogurt. I was having trouble feeling full when I first started, then I tried greek yogurt out of the blue and found it very filling. As long as I eat lunch by 12:30, I'm completely satisfied with only half a container of greek yogurt for breakfast. I also really like my 90 calorie Fiber One brownies when I'm feeling snacky in the evening and need something to fill me up. Fiber expands in your stomach and helps fill you up, so they're awesome... and they are honestly VERY tasty! Good luck! :)
  • ALH1981
    ALH1981 Posts: 538 Member
    more protein - you have none!!!
  • 2FattyXFatty4
    2FattyXFatty4 Posts: 215 Member
    If you have thoughtfully decided you ARE hungry, then you should eat IMO

    ^ THIS!

    I don't fear hunger, it's my body telling me that I need more nutrients.
  • Karalopolous
    Karalopolous Posts: 574
    YOu absolutely sound like me. I am always hungry, especially right before bed. Before factoring in exercise calories I net 1900 calories now up from MFP's suggested 1350. I also eat ALOT of protein and less carbs, and usually refined carbs are a no no, usually. I am getting the hang of the every 3 hours eating thing, and I try to eat about 300-400 per meal. This is honestly what has helped me. I feel so much more satiated this way. If you are hungry (and just not bored, lol) then that's good bc it means ur metabolism is getting warmed up. Keep up with the water and don't eat nothing if you are really truly hungry.
  • sun33082
    sun33082 Posts: 416 Member
    Eat more protein, less carbs. And not all protein bars are full of sugar. Quest bars are very low in sugar and high in fiber.
  • Lost_Mermaid
    Lost_Mermaid Posts: 136
    I find that it's only easy when you're on a diet that you become hungry because you're deprived of the calories you were once eating that no longer exist in your daily intake. Before this, you were just eating anything, because you were hungry, or at least your body was telling you that it was. Now you have to track every little thing you eat, and you're given a calorie limit, and you're now missing calories from your daily intake. Your body wants the calories you aren't eating, and it's telling you LOUDLY. There's a term for it, I read it in a magazine once, it's called hanger. Are you having trouble trying not to snap at people while you're hungry? When that's the case, it's because you're lacking essential calories, as in you could be eating too few for your needs. You might need to tweak your diet a bit if this is the case, or things could get ugly!!! :grumble:

    This happened to me. I went from eating a diet of a whole lot of junk to attempting to practically starve myself...and it was not pretty...

    ...but i'm doing it the healthy way now and i'm much more pleasant to be around lol
  • Elle_Jamaicangirl81
    Elle_Jamaicangirl81 Posts: 418 Member
    i found carbs made me more hungry...

    try bumping up the protein.. i like Greek yogurt.. thing is THICK and filling....nuts when u're looking a snack.

    try lowering that sodium as well...


    Good luck :)
  • I agree with everyone talking about the sugar/carb levels. I tried South Beach a while ago, and it overall didn't work for me, but it did teach me to tell the difference between carb/sugar-crashing and genuine hunger, and made me realize that a lot of times I think I'm hungry but I'm actually just crashing off the sugar. Some ideas to up your protein levels and make you less hungry: nuts, jerky (look for ones without added sugar - you'd be surprised how common that is!), yogurt, low-fat string cheese, seeds, beans. I noticed in your diary that you're snacking on Clif bars. Maybe try a handful of trail mix instead?
  • crimznrose
    crimznrose Posts: 282 Member
    Thanks for the suggestion. Sugar is definitely a weakness for me. Guess I didn't even consider Slim Fast and protein bars to be a culprit!

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fiber One 90 calorie snacks. I have an obsession with chocolate/peanut butter and they have a brownie and granola-like bar in that combo, both only 90 calories each. They're also packed with fiber - which helps you feel fuller longer. Another thing I battle with is getting in that 8 cups of water a day, but when I force myself to keep a regular pace on drinking water I notice I don't get as hungry. A lot of the time, what we think is hunger is actually dehydration. Try drinking a full glass of water and if you're still hungry 15-20 minutes later, eat a light snack high in fiber and low in carbs (fruit, veggies, fiber one for the sweet tooth, etc).
  • lnicosia
    lnicosia Posts: 2
    Are you adding in your exercise into you diary? If you are active then you may need more calories.
  • sml1231
    sml1231 Posts: 10 Member
    When I get super hungry like that, it's usually one of three things. First, I may actually need to eat. Even if I've already consumed my daily calorie goal, sometimes what I've eaten has been empty calories and my body is telling me it needs something else. I went through a phase where I craved peanut butter - and I HATED peanut butter then - but my body knew I needed the protein and healthy fats, because I wasn't getting them during the rest of my day. So, if it's something like that, I just listen to my body and try to figure out what I may be missing in my diet.

    The other thing for me is that I love eating. I love the taste of food, and I love the act of eating, so sometimes I just really want to eat. In that case, I try to eat something crunchy, because that makes me feel more like I'm actually doing some legit eating. I like Special K chips because you can eat quite a few for only 100 calories, and they are very crunchy (my weakness is totally chips).

    The third thing for me is that I feel hungry when really I'm thirsty. I hate drinking water, and I typically don't drink much. I know you're supposed to drink 8 cups of water a day, but drinking water actually makes me sick to my stomach unless it's after a workout. What I've been doing lately when it's late and I'm feeling the urge to eat is drinking chai tea (not the latte kind, just plain tea), because I get the sweet and spicy flavors, which is really what I want, and the water, which I need and which fills me up, without all of the calories.

    Also, sometimes I just go out and get a bacon cheeseburger, because sometimes you just really need a bacon cheeseburger :-)