That awful hungry feeling......

FluffyNoMore26

So today I ate a decent breakfast, had soup for lunch, and celery with peanut butter for a snack. I am about to leave for dinner and a movie date with my husband. Since I knew we would be eating out tonight I saved up some calories for dinner, but thathas left me with a growling stomach all afternoon! I ate lunch around 3 pm today.

My question is simple is a hungry feeling your bodies way of telling you it's going into starvation mode? I currently eat about 1500 to 1600 calories a day. I don't want to go into starvation mode because I hear all the time how bad that is for you but I have yet to hear how someone would know if they were in starvation mode.

Anyone know?

geekyjock76

Assuming your grhelin and leptin levels are at optimal levels, grhelin will signal that you need to eat more and provide more energy whereas leptin will tell you you are full and have provided enough energy for your body. Although leptin levels drop within 24 hours of calorie restriction, doing it short-term isn't going to cause excessive alteration to your hunger signaling. However, chronic calorie restriction will greatly confuse the signalling process by falsely reporting you are full when you have not met energy needs.

SoDamnHungry

Being hungry for a few hours won't trigger starvation mode. You've had food today, and you'll be eating a decent amount later on.

FluffyNoMore26

Thanks for the responses makes me feel a little better about feeling hungry. I don't really ever restrict calories for more than just a few hours. I don't ever restrict calories all day or faste or anything like fasting.

Mokey41

Starvation mode is largely a myth to start with and being hungry isn't starvation.

fishgutzy

Hunger can also be triggered by thirst. I just drink more water if I start feeling hungry early. That actually does the trick.

Ready2Rock206

No one has starved to death in the few hours between lunch and dinner. You'll be fine. Hope you had a great dinner out!

Railr0aderTony

I can not speak for you but when I started my new lifestyle it changes everything. I had forgot what hunger felt like, Now I love the fact that i do not just shovel food into my body because a clock says it is time. I would not worry about it if i was you, stick to the plan MFP set out for you and you will lose weight.

TabbathaAnne

290 cal protein shake. Having trouble finishing it... SOOO yummy though. Check my diary for ingredients!