Hungry all the time!

Hi. I started on MFP last January; at first, I lost 10 lbs in about 3 months, which I felt pretty OK about. Then, I had to have corrective surgery on my esophagus where they actually utilized the top part (fundus) of my stomach in re-construction in July. As a result of the surgery, I lost almost 20 lbs. For 4-5 months post-op, I simply could not eat as much as I was able to eat in one sitting prior to the surgery, so in general, I wasn't really feeling "hungry". Now, I feel like I am hungry all the time!

Unfortunately, I am unable to digest onions, raw vegetables and salads. So, I'm wondering what kinds of foods and/or snacks have the best results for longer satiation. I know protein is supposed to keep you fuller longer, but I'm not quite convinced that happens for me.

Thoughts? Ideas? Help!

I want / need to keep this weight off! I'm at the gym at least 5 x's per week - doing a lot of cardio, but just starting a core strengthening routine with weights.

Replies

  • climbing_trees
    climbing_trees Posts: 726 Member
    You're working out an awful lot for only 1200 calories a day!
    Try changing your loss to .5 lb/week, since you're closer to your goal weight.

    Also, I find that nuts keep me full for a long time. Good combo of healthy fats/protein.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    You're working out an awful lot for only 1200 calories a day!
    Try changing your loss to .5 lb/week, since you're closer to your goal weight.

    Also, I find that nuts keep me full for a long time. Good combo of healthy fats/protein.

    ^^ What I was going to say....word...for....word....
  • iamspdd
    iamspdd Posts: 134 Member
    Personally for me, if I eat eggs in the morning I feel full for a long time. I discovered this when I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I ate only meat, eggs, and green beans. Not only did I lose 10 pounds in my last month of pregnancy (I was 50 pounds over weight by then) I always felt full.

    I did eat other things, but those were my main source of food. LOTS of chicken breasts and pork chops!

    Good luck!
  • SharonNehring
    SharonNehring Posts: 535 Member
    Protein definitely keeps me feeling full. Eggs, cheese, greek yogurt, nuts, lots of chicken and turkey.
  • daphnec1994
    daphnec1994 Posts: 71 Member
    agree with both comments. Increase your calories, you can still looe weight with more calories, trust me ive been there and just gained back all the weight. And increase your protein it helps a lot more then you would think.
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,541 Member
    My hubs had a Nissen fundoplication to rebuild the lower esophageal sphincter about 10 years ago, which sounds a bit like your procedure, maybe. He needs to eat smaller meals several times a day to feel satisfied, and to help reduce bloating and pain. Watch the fiber, drink lots of water, and try to eat slower and chew longer, which helps with "sticking" lol. Good luck!
  • crjohnston12
    crjohnston12 Posts: 76 Member
    My hubs had a Nissen fundoplication to rebuild the lower esophageal sphincter about 10 years ago, which sounds a bit like your procedure, maybe. He needs to eat smaller meals several times a day to feel satisfied, and to help reduce bloating and pain. Watch the fiber, drink lots of water, and try to eat slower and chew longer, which helps with "sticking" lol. Good luck!

    I had a Heller Myotomy with a Dor (partial - Nissen is full) Fundoplication, so you are spot on. At first, for about 4 months post op, I could only eat small amounts and got full very quickly. But now, I'm back into full swing with being able to eat more at each sitting and I'm feeling hungrier. Please tell me...can your husband eat salad and onions? I still don't seem to be able to digest those post-op...oh, how I miss my veggies!
  • crjohnston12
    crjohnston12 Posts: 76 Member
    Thanks for the tips everyone. I will try to increase my calories to accomodate for working out. One thing I'm afraid is making me so hungry is that I love processed sugar! Candy, cakes, cookies, sweets of all sorts. I am struggling to curb the craving for those things.
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Sucks to have to avoid veggies!

    But, lots left to eat!

    Oatmeal, nuts, beans (red, black, white etc), fruit, greek yogurt, eggs, granola, quinoa, brown long grain rice, and small quantities of lean meat (chicken, turkey, fish).

    For snacks, I always have some combination of almonds, peanuts, cashews close by along with dates or raisins.

    If you can eat cooked veggies? Kale or spinach are great sauteed and added to an omelet!