Tips for fighting mental hunger

Calicoskies · February 2011

How do you fight mental hunger? Right now, I had a good healthy dinner, sensible portions. I am not hungry. But I want goldfish crackers, cereal or reduced fat chips. I start to think of a food and end up obsessing about it until I eat it or something. Just wondering how others stop themselves from eating. I am drinking water, I brushed my teeth and I'm trying to focus on doing other things. I only have 78cals left to eat for the day and I like to have a 1/2glass milk before bed.

digit78 · February 2011

I'll be keen to hear info on this as well, as mental hunger is probably the biggest challenge for me.

tammyquinnlmt · February 2011

sometimes brushing your teeth helps...so does peppermint gum. Peppermint is an appetize suppresent. So pepperment tea is also another option

Walkersfaith · February 2011

I have that addiction to soda crackers and corn chips. I have to really be strong in those moments and tell myself that I am not going to feed the desire. It has to be a business decision to eat for fortification only. Not for pleasure and not on a whim. I don't always succeed but I succeed more now than I used to. Don't encourage the emotions by rewarding them.

nanmosta1 · February 2011

I do the exact same thing. Usually I will pop a werthers sugar free original candy in my mouth or a cup of hot tea.

mycrazyturtles · February 2011

I have a dress hanging out, a bathing suit and a shirt I just bought That I want to fit into. That would take me loosing each goal weight to fit into them. If I get to the point where I really want something I just look at them. Or an old picture of myself where I was skinny.. It seems to help. Maybe portion your self better so you can have a snack.

amuhlou · February 2011

I just imagine how many minutes on the treadmill I'd have to do to burn it off and that helps a lot

gangstagirl625 · February 2011

I get on MFP and start reading I fight mental hunger also

alazanowski · February 2011

usually your body is just desiring to chew on things. Sugar free/low calorie gum has helped some people. However, i find chewing on ice cubes after drinking cold water to help alot. With alot of ice, i feel like im eating and the chewing action is satisfied at the same time. Hang in there!

msemejuru · February 2011

I like mint gum or tea. Also, using my resistance bands or doing sit-ups while watching tv helps. If it's something that can go in the freezer, I'll freeze it which works for cookies, cake slices and pie which I often make for my family. Recently, I've been squeezing into my old skinny jeans which makes me not want to eat because I can barely get the zipper up. If that doesn't work, I'll have a small bite so I can move on.

shimmergal · February 2011

I hear you and I am glad you chose to post instead of giving in into eating those chips, etc that would have sobataged you day's worth of effort/progress.

You already took your 1st step and that is exactly what you need to do. DISTRACT yourself! Do something you like ..... may be catch up on a TV show, may be go to a book store and flip some maganizes, phone a friend, anything that will not make you want to eat..
But, if you are really hungry, have a cup of warm skim milk (90 cals).
Hope this helps in some way!

floydg68 · February 2011

Yup, I agree with the Peppermint tea. It does the trick for me. I have one or two cups after dinner and helps with the water intake.
Keep Fighting!

cmo115 · February 2011

I honestly log on here and read and read and read success stories and look at B/A pics. Its the only way for me. Mental Hunger is to blame for me being on this journey.

cindysg3 · February 2011

I find that I usually just need the crunch of something. I have chomped on carrots and celery or made homemade popcorn and just eat the amount I can have for the remaining calories. I often pop white Jolly Time popcorn using canola oil and add a little salt when it's done. A dill pickle is good too. Go for the crunch and something that takes some chewing. You can do it!!! I found myself feeling "hungry" today while traveling in the car about an 1 1/2 hours before lunch and drank a bottle of water instead. It took the edge away and I made it to my normal lunch time. You will have to find just the right food that can help you through the tough times, and you will find that it changes.

karen415 · February 2011

I started to make jello, sugar free of course for like 10 maybe 20 calories hoping it helps for those in front of the TV cravings

ctalimenti · February 2011

Think about your goal. Think about how good you'll feel after you've lost this weight and decide which desire is stronger; food craving or figure craving.

sue26 · February 2011

If you dont have them in the house, then you have to go out and buy them which is usually too much trouble

neenie1 · February 2011

I go through just about everything you see suggested here so far and 99% of the time something suggested here will work....some times I have to try a couple of different things together. Then there is that one percent where nothing works....I will only cave into one serving. I read the lable on the bag or box and measure or weigh a serving. Put the box (or bag) away and do not eat infront of the t.v. If it puts you over your calories don't beat yourself up over it. You stopped at one serving so pat yourself on the back for not eating the whole container. Hang in there.

Nailrep · February 2011

This really works for me...I make a pitcher of unsweetened tea so I can have ice tea with meals. When I'm hungry, I warm a mug of tea in the microwave and then add a couple packs of sweet-n-low. The warm tea really helps stop my cravings.

Pebble321 · February 2011

I have the same problem, I don't NEED those snacks, but I WANT them.
The best thing for me is to have something to keep my hands busy, so I can't eat (I have a history of snacking while reading or using the computer so they don't distract me enough).
I think I might take up knitting again!

LHarders · February 2011

I think MENTAL Hunger is that you are bored....and bordom can be dangerous....so when you get those feelings get busy...I agree get on MFP and read the message boards..take a bath...read a book anything to take you mind off food.
ALSO hunger sometimes hides behind being really thirsty...drink your water...I like ice water because someone told me it burns more calories as your body has to heat it up

who knows but sounds cool.

Calicoskies · February 2011

Thanks for all the good replies! I still want those goldfish crackers, but I'm eating gum! Will probably chew the entire 20sticks tho

I'm gonna have to buy a case at Costco this weekend.

ColeyCannoli · February 2011

Sometimes I just have to leave, walk outside, do some sort of activity. If not that then leave for a room farther from the kitchen and stay occupied. It sucks I know, almost like a junk food an addiction.

Gum has saved my life recentally. Sugar free gum in a variety of flavors. Right now I like the kind that tastes like key lime pie. Sometimes we just have to be hard on ourselves and say "NO!" to our bodies. Eventually I think the cravings will die down.

Good luck!

plainpam · February 2011

I do this also in the evenings, I chew Extra sugar free dessert gums, strawberry shortcake, key lime pie, chocolate chip mint, all good , good luck.

Lexie71 · February 2011

I have a sign in my kitchen that says, "If I am not hungry, what I need is not in here". I have three choices when I think about food and I'm not hungry. Each comes with consequences.
1. I can eat anyway.
Consequence: If I eat when I am not hungry my body has no choice but to store that food for later.
2. I can distract myself by taking a walk, reading, whatever.
Consequence: What ever is making me want to eat when I am not hungry will still be there later to bug me again.
3. I can figure out why I want to eat when I am not hungry and deal with that need.
Consequence: I will know myself better and know what to do the next time it pops up.

There is no "right" answer as far as I am concerned. It depends on what is happening in the moment which tool I choose to use. Sometimes the best answer can be to eat anyway. Sometimes the best answer is to figure it out and deal with it. If I remind myself each time that I have a choice it makes it all easier. If I judge myself less I make healthier choices over-all.

chelle1a · February 2011

I have a hard time with mental hunger also. Usually I will either chew some mint gum or make some hot tea. This seems to help me, or I try to get involved in an activity to get my mind off of it,

Christiandtroy · February 2014

I have struggled with this as well and have tried the Mentos sugar free mints (cant do gum), I will try the tea as well. boardum is my enemy and thats when I struggle, same symptoms as the others, obsessing, as I eat guilt usually keeps it in check. Stepping on the scale is the reality check, lack of downward movement. I also find that it is cyclic this week is worse than last it is like weathering the storm.

I have found Arctic Zero 36 calories for 1/2 cup of almost Ice Cream. it is giving in with out the guilt or calories

mfoulkebrown · February 2014

This is a great topic! I struggle with this, as well.

A trick I learned here a while ago was to think of some celery sticks. If I am hungry enough to eat those, then I am actually hungry. If not, it's mental. Sometimes recognizing that it's truly mental makes the cravings go away. It's like the villian in the cartoons, as soon as it's figured out, it slinks away.

If the craving won't go away, sometimes things I do in advance helps. I break down those crunchy, savory snacks that I love so much into half ounce bags. That way, if the craving hits and I can't stop it, the worst I've done is eat about 70 calories. Plus, the shame of grabbing a second bag usually stops me. That helps me minimize the damage when I just can't let go of the craving.

Edited for spelling.

Tips for fighting mental hunger

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