How do u tell if u r really hungry or craving?

Sandytoes71
Sandytoes71 Posts: 463 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have heard people say that if they wait a little while and still want to eat, then they are really hungry and not just craving. BUT, well that doesnt work for me. Any other suggestions? Thanks :)

Replies

  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    Sometimes I'll have a small salad or a bowl of broth based soup as a test. It's few calories and if it's just hunger will usually help...unless it's that "specific" hunger times when nothing but a slim jim or a marshmallow square will do.
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    I think about whether I'm willing to eat an apple. If not, I'm probably craving and not hungry.... Set a time limit and if you still want it after that time, then you THINK about having it. Mine is usually half an hour, and I usually forget about it (or have moved on to craving something else, in which case the half hour starts again!)
  • phurst00
    phurst00 Posts: 100 Member
    I think some of the best advice I've gotten so far is that if I feel hungry, try drinking some water first. Often you'll mistake thirst for hunger. If I'm still hungry, I'll go for carrots or a string cheese and usually that satisfies me. If all else fails, I'll get up and do some sort of activity (load of dishes, etc) and usually my body will forget that it was hungry/craving.
  • w2bab
    w2bab Posts: 353 Member
    If my stomach is growling, I'm hungry. If I've just eaten and I can't stop thinking about goodies, it's a craving.
  • lemonyposset
    lemonyposset Posts: 31 Member
    I think some of the best advice I've gotten so far is that if I feel hungry, try drinking some water first. Often you'll mistake thirst for hunger.

    I second this.

    I'll have some water, or even a diet soda if I'm craving something sweet. Usually does the trick.
  • XoXoLJFitness
    XoXoLJFitness Posts: 48
    I think about whether I'm willing to eat an apple. If not, I'm probably craving and not hungry.... Set a time limit and if you still want it after that time, then you THINK about having it. Mine is usually half an hour, and I usually forget about it (or have moved on to craving something else, in which case the half hour starts again!)

    I LOVE THIS! ABSOLUTELY! I try drinking more water to make sure my body isn't just thirsty and then if I am not willing to eat an apple or some other kind of veggie or fruit I know my mind is overpowering my stomach.

    Something else I am trying is telling myself what I do need based on my activity for the day. Why in the world would I need to be extra hungry if I have been on the computer sitting at a desk for 8 hours?
  • ilmb87
    ilmb87 Posts: 216 Member
    I think about whether I'm willing to eat an apple. If not, I'm probably craving and not hungry.... Set a time limit and if you still want it after that time, then you THINK about having it. Mine is usually half an hour, and I usually forget about it (or have moved on to craving something else, in which case the half hour starts again!)

    THIS.
  • bonjalandoni
    bonjalandoni Posts: 136 Member
    I think about whether I'm willing to eat an apple. If not, I'm probably craving and not hungry.... Set a time limit and if you still want it after that time, then you THINK about having it. Mine is usually half an hour, and I usually forget about it (or have moved on to craving something else, in which case the half hour starts again!)

    I LOVE THIS! ABSOLUTELY! I try drinking more water to make sure my body isn't just thirsty and then if I am not willing to eat an apple or some other kind of veggie or fruit I know my mind is overpowering my stomach.

    Something else I am trying is telling myself what I do need based on my activity for the day. Why in the world would I need to be extra hungry if I have been on the computer sitting at a desk for 8 hours?

    This, sometimes I substitute baby carrots for apple. If its just cravings, it stops after that... :-)
  • lisahewitt22
    lisahewitt22 Posts: 102
    I think some of the best advice I've gotten so far is that if I feel hungry, try drinking some water first. Often you'll mistake thirst for hunger. If I'm still hungry, I'll go for carrots or a string cheese and usually that satisfies me. If all else fails, I'll get up and do some sort of activity (load of dishes, etc) and usually my body will forget that it was hungry/craving.

    This is perfect, I'm going to try this from now on.
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
    http://artform.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/cravings.pdf

    Try using this PDF. You can at least make healthier choices while satisfying what your body actually needs when it sends the craving.

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