why am I hungry an hour or two after eating?
Replies
-
My body constantly tells me to drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes, so I guess I should "listen to my body". The only thing I hear my body say is "PHHHHHFFFFFFTTTTT".
Ignore Jerry. He's like a troll spoiling for a fight.0 -
errrm ... what's the definition of "hungry" and/or "starving" please? a craving? tummy rumbles? or actually feeling faint, dizzyness, seeing double? ... just asking ...
To answer your question, I'm going to first copy/paste my list of things that happen with your body to tell you that you're "full" and don't need to eat.
-The stretching of the stomach
-The repetitive feeling of things going down the throat
-The visual feedback of seeing a plate of food become an empty plate
-The pleasure of familiar flavors on the tongue and smells in the nose
-The hormone that gets released once food enters your duodenum and small intestine that gets sent to the brain to tell you to stop eating
-The increase in blood glucose once the food enters the bloodstream (for some food, this actually starts in the mouth with an enzyme called amylase -- not all food has to get digested in the stomach or intestines to increase blood glucose)
These short term signals can all get messed up with our modern lifestyle and chemically-laden foods. All of these can be "tricked" in various ways, so we can ignore them. To me, true hunger like I mean is when you're not starving yourself every day, but you aren't giving your body quite enough calories every day to meet your minimum metabolic needs. After 3-7 days of too low calorie eating (again, I'm not talking about NO calories, just low calories), your hypothalumus senses the change in your blood chemistry from your body using stored fat for energy instead of glucose from the food you're eating. Then the hypothalumus starts ratcheting up all the hunger signals under its control whenever there is food available. It's different for each person. Your nasal capillaries dilate more when you sense food is cooking. Your mouth actually waters when you see someone eating food. You start chewing on things that aren't actually food, like pencil erasers. You crave odd things (not necessarily sweet/fat/etc. but lemons or dill or something like that). But you still have plenty of energy to move around. Then if you keep eating low calorie, eventually -- like after 2-3 weeks or so -- your hypothalumus accepts that food is scarce, and starts sending signals to you to stop moving. This is when your caloric needs start declining to meet your actual intake. You sleep more, you imperceptively fidget less. You have less energy and stop thinking about food so much. This is a normal physiological response to scarce food. In my mind, going into "long-term scarce food mode" where your caloric needs start to decline is counterproductive. Show your body there's food available. Eat. Just my opinion.0 -
Increase you're fats, esp EFA's. You'll find a small amount will sort you out.
Look at this man... he knows what he's talking about.
OP - I used to be like you... no matter what I ate, I was hungry (and shaky!) 2 hours later, and obsessively thinking about what I was going to eat and when. I also felt like I wanted something sweet after every meal.
For me, what worked was going low carb. Now I eat very filling meals mostly of veg and meat/seafood with healthy fats and can go for hours without eating, and no more glycemic swings. The fats add cals and help me stay full longer.
Might not work for you, but it worked for me.
^^This.0 -
Increase you're fats, esp EFA's. You'll find a small amount will sort you out.
Well I'd prefer to use the word "your" but apart from that, this.
I did all sorts of messing around with protein trying to get past the fact that I was ALWAYS hungry. Then a few weeks back someone on here finally suggested that maybe it was FAT that I was short on. I wasn't purposely eating a low fat diet, but as a vegetarian I maybe wasn't getting quite as much fat as I needed.
So I upped my fat (the perfect excuse to eat more avocado!) and that really has helped. I'm still hungry fairly often, I think I'm just a hungry person but increasing the fat made a difference. Try it.0 -
Eat more fiber like veggies and heck spread out your cals if need be
0 -
You've lost 17 pounds in 6 weeks, or about 3 pounds per week.
You're hungry because, well, you're hungry.
My recommendation is that you eat slightly more.
(Or you can just hope that your metabolism eventually slows down enough to match the amount of calories you're eating. (Before the firestorm of angry responses, I'm not saying that it *will* inevitably happen, just that *if it did happen*, it would also resolve OP's immediate problem.))0 -
Sounds to me like your calorie deficit is too high. If you lost 17 lbs in three weeks and (it wasn't mostly water), you need to increase your calories. Like others have suggested, adding a bit more fat to your diet might actually be good. Fat slows down the absorbtion of carbs and helps satiate hunger. Stay away from simple carbs or limit them as much as possible - they increase insulin production and promote storing of fat, depleting your blood sugar and stimulating a hunger response (if you are craving a Snickers bar at 4 PM every day, you're eating too much sugar).
If your meals are a sensible size, being hungry every 2 hours or so is actually about right. Think sensible snacks (Texas Caviar or hummus and carrots or an apple)0 -
I was also this way, I upped my fats, cut the carbs/sugar... and VIOLA. I felt much fuller, and I lost more weight per week (probably by .6 of a lb) than I had been before (on average..)..
So, listen to the other guy who told you to up your fats, it works, and no you wont have a heart attack from it.0 -
I like to save my calories to one big meal a day so I feel full and satisfied. You have to figure out what it is for you. I also like feeling empty so I have both feeling every single day. Eating every 2 hours does not work for me at all. Nor does counting calories because it makes me obsess about food. You have to find your own groove and do not let anyone else tell you anything different. It is about figuring out what works for you specifically.
I'm kind of like that too, I don't ever eat breakfast. We never did when I was growing up, so I just got use to it I guess. I eat lunch and dinner and a dessert (which is usually a low carb dessert I make) after dinner. In the summer, a lot of times, I only eat once in the evening, must be the heat in the summer, because I'm never hungry until dinner in the summer. I am full after each meal and I never get the feeling I'm starving. Everyone's body is different indeed.0 -
i didnt read them all but if you have lost weight and become more active you could have changed your needs so try adjusting your calorie goal to see if you really need more or not and if you so eat sonething small 100 or 200 cals but make it fillinf like a slice of bread not just sugar0
-
Your brain is just thinking more about food.
Dieting like this can really affect your weight loss potential.
Eat according to your daily needs and you will lose weight. It doesnt matter if you eat every 2-3 hours or every 8. As long as your calories and macros are in a defecit.0 -
This content has been removed.
-
Increase you're fats, esp EFA's. You'll find a small amount will sort you out.
Well I'd prefer to use the word "your" but apart from that, this.
I did all sorts of messing around with protein trying to get past the fact that I was ALWAYS hungry. Then a few weeks back someone on here finally suggested that maybe it was FAT that I was short on. I wasn't purposely eating a low fat diet, but as a vegetarian I maybe wasn't getting quite as much fat as I needed.
So I upped my fat (the perfect excuse to eat more avocado!) and that really has helped. I'm still hungry fairly often, I think I'm just a hungry person but increasing the fat made a difference. Try it.
Correct I guess, since you are fats that mine read didn't make a lot of sense.
Thank you grammar police
0 -
My body constantly tells me to drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes, so I guess I should "listen to my body". The only thing I hear my body say is "PHHHHHFFFFFFTTTTT".
Ignore Jerry. He's like a troll spoiling for a fight.
Nope. Wrong again. I just am strongly against the "listen to your body" group of people. It's a nice thing to say. But, it's dead wrong. Eating food has a very strong habitual aspect to it. That is why people often say when they sit still, they feel hungry, but if they get up and move around, the hungry feeling goes away. It's the habit they have formed from sitting on the couch in front of the tv. Your body is a liar and I'm sick and tired of people saying to over weight people, to listen to their bodies. This is a site where people are trying to learn new ways to better themselves. Do you tell a recovering alcoholic to listen to their body? No. You tell them to call their sponsor. Please stop giving poor advice and stop calling useful helpful people trolls. Do you even know what a troll is?
Cheers
I actually think this is brilliant.
I can understand the concept of "eat when you're hungry" but the problem is that if I ate every time my body said eat... Well I'd be where I am now. My body pretty much always thinks it's hungry. I have to learn what is truly hunger, what is the feeling of my digestive system finally working properly, and what is dehydration. 0 -
Your brain is just thinking more about food.
Dieting like this can really affect your weight loss potential.
Eat according to your daily needs and you will lose weight. It doesnt matter if you eat every 2-3 hours or every 8. As long as your calories and macros are in a defecit.
^^This0 -
My body constantly tells me to drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes, so I guess I should "listen to my body". The only thing I hear my body say is "PHHHHHFFFFFFTTTTT".
Ignore Jerry. He's like a troll spoiling for a fight.
Nope. Wrong again. I just am strongly against the "listen to your body" group of people. It's a nice thing to say. But, it's dead wrong. Eating food has a very strong habitual aspect to it. That is why people often say when they sit still, they feel hungry, but if they get up and move around, the hungry feeling goes away. It's the habit they have formed from sitting on the couch in front of the tv. Your body is a liar and I'm sick and tired of people saying to over weight people, to listen to their bodies. This is a site where people are trying to learn new ways to better themselves. Do you tell a recovering alcoholic to listen to their body? No. You tell them to call their sponsor. Please stop giving poor advice and stop calling useful helpful people trolls. Do you even know what a troll is?
Cheers
^^This.. As long as we are not having too much of a deficit and within healthy range of calories and macros, and still hungry..i would say drink water..keep yourself busy..whenever i am idle, i usually think about food and i am instantly hungry..and if i have been truly busy, i do not even remember food..
I also do believe with some people here saying you need to eat more..but to each thier own choice..good luck 0 -
I had an issue where I was fine till I ate then I'd feel like I hadnt eaten in years, its was actually acid reflux which can feel different to different people.0
-
Increase you're fats, esp EFA's. You'll find a small amount will sort you out.
This ^^
You said that you get adequate protein and fiber, but what about fats?
Ditto. Fats are healthy and satiating.
Contrary to what many people are saying, it should NOT be necessary to eat every hour or two. Eat enough, including fat, at your regular meals. (imo, MFP fat defaults are ridiculously low and carb default ridiculously high. Try playing with those numbers and you might notice immediate improvement in satiety.)0 -
OMG OP I hear ya!
When I first started my stomach felt like my throat had been cut...it was a big shock eating so little after eating so much.
Pretty much I ate and grazed when I thought that I was hungry and that is why I got to being overweight.
Phew, glad I found this website and was able to plan my day out the day before, add my exercise and stick with it.
My goal was 1200 cals a day plus exercise and believe me I exercised to give me some extra food and treats.
I learned to drink more water also as I did not recognise hunger from thirst.
What I have learned is a big help to me...I drink more in between meals, I shorten the space between meals and eat smaller meals.0 -
My body constantly tells me to drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes, so I guess I should "listen to my body". The only thing I hear my body say is "PHHHHHFFFFFFTTTTT".
Ignore Jerry. He's like a troll spoiling for a fight.
^^ haha this, 100x this.0 -
Your body is the expert. It's HUNGRY and it's telling you loud and clear.
Listen to all the good advice on this thread, please.
I totally don't believe this. People don't aimlessly wind up on a calorie counting site because listening to their body worked for them. Ignore your body, follow a regimen. Excellence is a habit.
Really? Really dude? Follow a regimen forever? How is that good advice? People that hear this and think this is true are going to not bother and just stay fat.0 -
i'm having the same issue.. i finally decided to intake more calories.. eating once every 3 hours.. making sure not to eat after 7 pm, but i find myself being hungrier and hungrier in between those times. i do breakfast lunch snack then dinner.. the next time for me to eat is in less than 2 hours and i am hungry as ever! so ready for my snack..0
-
i'm having the same issue.. i finally decided to intake more calories.. eating once every 3 hours.. making sure not to eat after 7 pm, but i find myself being hungrier and hungrier in between those times. i do breakfast lunch snack then dinner.. the next time for me to eat is in less than 2 hours and i am hungry as ever! so ready for my snack..
Why are you eating so frequently? Some people find fewer, larger meals to be more satisfying.
Why are you not eating after 7p? Until my recent diagnosis of GERD, I frequently ate at least half of my calories >7p.
What is your current calorie deficit? People who eat at too large of a calorie deficit tend to feel hungry because...well, because they're hungry...starving, even. Make sure your calorie deficit is reasonable.0 -
If i'm hungry I eat. I plan out everything ahead of time and try to leave calories for snacks. I eat high protein, which means less carbs then I used to eat, so i think that makes you feel more hungry as well. Although I feel awesome eating this way.0
-
Sounds like 'head hunger' to me.0
-
There are different levels of "hungry." In my experience, MILD hunger is a normal outcome of a weight-loss diet and just needs to be ignored. Re-frame your interpretation of mild hunger, and just consider that sensation to be evidence you're doing it right. Sometimes doing something more interesting or having some hot tea helps me.
Strong, distracting hunger pangs that interfere with exercise or make you feel shaky are different, and mean you need to eat more. Either bigger meals or more frequent snacks. More fat and fewer simple carbs can also sometimes help.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.5K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 427 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions