I'm starving unless I eat 1800+ calories per day.

Hendrix7

So you are losing weight while still being able to eat a decent amount of food.

What's the problem here again? this is good.

jayliospecky

If you're eating 1800 and losing a third of a pound a week, I think that sounds great. Slow, steady weight loss is ideal. It is easier to manage (not starving all the time), you lose less lean body mass, and it is easier to maintain over time. Sounds like lots of win to me.

I don't know how much you plan to lose, but I really think you should consider sticking with what is working. Many people cut calories too low, thinking it will speed things up, and just get more frustrated.

I am trying to eat around 1800 at the moment, and I'm finding it quite difficult; it feels like a low number after eating at maintenance for awhile. So I know how that feels.

thenewaudbbgirl

Fruit helps a lot. I notice melons really make me feel full. They are good for you and on the weight watchers diet , fruit was zero points.
I would eat a bowl of canteloupe and would feel really full for hours.
Lots of water
Almonds are good to use as well.

douglasmobbs

Is it emotional/habitual hunger or physical hunger.

If its a more sudden feeling then it is probably emotional/habitual hunger, if it is more gradual it is more likely physical hunger.

If its physical hunger then look at the type of food etc, if it is emotional/habitual hunger then you need to look at breaking the habits or overcoming the emotions.

Crankstr

To feel full:
1. Drink 16 oz of water within 30 minutes of waking and have breakfast within an hour of waking. After that, drink 8 oz of water before eating each "meal."
2. Eat 100-200 cal every 3 hours or so. (remember to drink your water FIRST). Make sure those calories are PROTEIN and FIBER rich, LOW in net carbs and low in fat (but NOT fat free). The protein, fiber, and fats will make you feel FULL. An example of a snack might be an apple with low fat cheese or with a tablespoon of lower fat peanut butter.
3. One of your meals will be a little higher in calories (you'll end up eating about 6x/day and still get about 1200 or so cal per day), say 500 or so. Even if you did a 200 cal snack/meal 5x/day plus a 500 cal meal, that's only 1500 cal...which would create a net deficit of 300 cal/ day or an extra pound per week. If you can keep those a little closer to the 100 cal mark and have a 500-600 cal meal at whichever main meal you prefer, you'll see the weight fall off FAST.

The great thing about this is that your next meal/snack is always just around the corner. It keeps your metabolism revved (yea) and keeps you from being too frustrated. Remember, too, feeling a tummy growl before you eat is a GOOD thing. It tells you that you're fueling your body (not feeding your emotions or other things). Also consider that these smaller amounts of calories will seem like "nothing" at first, but will shrink the actual size of your stomach. Before long, you'll be sated by them (not "FULL") and you'll build the habit of not overeating.

Stick with it...you're on your way to feeling better, looking better, and having a longer, healthier life.

Your metabolism is not affected by meal frequency.
do what works for you.

I dont eat breakfast, I have coffee, and like to save my calories for later in the day, because that is when I like to eat more.

It is working well for me, I used to feel like I shouldnt eat at night, and it was always my downfall...now i DO and am doing just fine

bachampion04

When i first started cutting back calories i had this issue ALOT. And it did affect my weight loss, but i have found a way to eat alot but comsume less calories. What i am currently doing it eating a high amount of low calorie foods for instance Vegetable,Fruits and Seafood.

For vegetables, i buy the green giant steamer bags and eat the whole thing, sometimes two if im really hungry. A whole bag is only 150 calories but there is alot of veggies in there. so two bags is only 300 calories. Then i eat tons of seafood whether sea scallops or catfish cause they are high in protein but very low in calories and i eat at least 3 - 4 filets which is maybe only 200-250 calories

Add throughout the day i eat fruits mostly grapes but you can eat any fruit that you might delicious to just keep the hunger at bay til your next meal.

Hope this helps you! and Good luck!

mfrkorey

And I'll preach water again. A lot of times thirst is interpreted by your body as hunger. I've noticed when I'm hydrating properly, I'm not as hungry! I'm also one of those people that wants to snack more when I drink diet sodas, so if you are drinking those, you may want to reconsider...

escloflowneCHANGED

I eat more now than I ever did when I was fat, I just eat low calorie foods now...

marissa3209

To feel full:
1. Drink 16 oz of water within 30 minutes of waking and have breakfast within an hour of waking. After that, drink 8 oz of water before eating each "meal."
2. Eat 100-200 cal every 3 hours or so. (remember to drink your water FIRST). Make sure those calories are PROTEIN and FIBER rich, LOW in net carbs and low in fat (but NOT fat free). The protein, fiber, and fats will make you feel FULL. An example of a snack might be an apple with low fat cheese or with a tablespoon of lower fat peanut butter.
3. One of your meals will be a little higher in calories (you'll end up eating about 6x/day and still get about 1200 or so cal per day), say 500 or so. Even if you did a 200 cal snack/meal 5x/day plus a 500 cal meal, that's only 1500 cal...which would create a net deficit of 300 cal/ day or an extra pound per week. If you can keep those a little closer to the 100 cal mark and have a 500-600 cal meal at whichever main meal you prefer, you'll see the weight fall off FAST.

The great thing about this is that your next meal/snack is always just around the corner. It keeps your metabolism revved (yea) and keeps you from being too frustrated. Remember, too, feeling a tummy growl before you eat is a GOOD thing. It tells you that you're fueling your body (not feeding your emotions or other things). Also consider that these smaller amounts of calories will seem like "nothing" at first, but will shrink the actual size of your stomach. Before long, you'll be sated by them (not "FULL") and you'll build the habit of not overeating.

Stick with it...you're on your way to feeling better, looking better, and having a longer, healthier life.

I wish there were "like" buttons here. Very encouraging!

TheRealParisLove

Cut the carbs, especially anything grain based and sugar based. Avoid greek yogurt unless it is plain. The flavored kind if full of sugar.

Try to make protein smoothies. Add in lots of veggies like spinach, kale, celery, and cucumber, for green smoothies or pumpkin, carrots, beets, and red chard for red or orange smoothies. Throw in some fruit like oranges, berries, apples, pears, grapes, melon, and mango. Top it off with some fats like a teaspoon of olive oil or some avocado chunks. Add a scoop of whey protein (I like the vanilla powder) and some plain, lowfat greek yogurt, water or iced tea and blend.

These types of smoothies are very low in calories, high in fiber and nutrients and will fill you up for hours. The way I make them, it makes about a liter and has less than 400 calories.

Zommbunny

what are you using your calories on??? eg 3 pack of crisps= 450 cals and you still want food
maybe look at what your actually eating postion control and if you are using up calories on 'empty' things like coke
when actually eating healthy i find it hard to get up to 1800 without 'cheating'