HUNGRY!!!!!!

jessista
jessista Posts: 10
edited September 23 in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone: I'm on my second full day of a 1200 calorie diet and I can't get over the near-constant hunger. Is there a way to be less hungry without going too far over my limit? Should I raise my limit? Also, I am on medication that has increased appetite as a side effect. HELP!!
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Replies

  • bjmk19047
    bjmk19047 Posts: 123
    Drink water to fill you up some. :smile:
  • Simonscat
    Simonscat Posts: 249
    If you are hungry...up your calories!
    Your body is telling you that 1200 is not enough.
  • baker_c
    baker_c Posts: 251 Member
    try adding bulk foods, salads, carrots, any vegetables, they add bulk and will help fill you up.
  • TeddyCharlton
    TeddyCharlton Posts: 46 Member
    Me too, this is my first day. Going to get some music on.
  • harys
    harys Posts: 10
    water and veggies. Also, look at what sort of Fat you're eating. Fat will help things stay with you...good fats and within reason.
    Water is key though.
  • LanakilaGirl
    LanakilaGirl Posts: 41 Member
    I personally, am not a fan of the 1200 calories. I don't think it's enough for anyone, but that's just me. . .
  • 4lafz
    4lafz Posts: 1,078 Member
    Lots of protein and fiber rich foods in the morning and for lunch! Late afternoon and night is the worst! I like Good Earth caffeine free tea in Original Sweet & Spicy. It is the only one that works for me - so, so flavorful and ZERO calories!
  • Shaylaluvsya
    Shaylaluvsya Posts: 35
    You can also drink black coffee and or tea. Anything warm helps me!
  • laurenbausch
    laurenbausch Posts: 146
    LOTS OF VEGGIES!!! Most are super low cal! I also eat whole grain breads rather than white. . .Drink 2 glasses of h2o before you eat, and that will REALLY curb your appetite. . .Stay away from carb. rich choices. You can do this. . .I'm on the 1200 cal plan too, and it's tough. Sometimes I'm over a little. . .It's okay. No worries!!!
  • helloiloveukitty
    helloiloveukitty Posts: 448 Member
    1200 calorie diets take some getting used to. I personally like them but a lot of people are like militantly against them. Just depends on what works for you.

    My advice would be no liquid calories, lots of veggies and protein and on days that you burn a substantial amount of calories you should feel free to eat more than 1200. If I burn over 500 calories, then I at an extra 100 or 200 if I'm hungry. Also snacking often on 1200 cals is really important, spacing of meals and snacks so youre always having a little bit of something might help too.
  • adkmountainguy
    adkmountainguy Posts: 50 Member
    I agree with the "eat more" sentiment. If you were eating 2000 or more calories per day, dropping down to 1200 is a significant change. Or, if you don't want to drastically increase your calories, try eating more protein, ideally lean meat like grilled chicken.
  • CarolHudson11
    CarolHudson11 Posts: 372
    Protein, fiber and water! Lots of it! You can fill up on stuff with protein and fiber. It was really hard for me the first week or two, but then I just got used to it. And I learned to eat foods that fill me more for the same or less calories. If this doesn't work, 1200 might just not be enough for you.
  • AggieCass09
    AggieCass09 Posts: 1,867 Member
    eat foods with more protein and drink water. if you are really hungry and are not eating for other reasons (emotions, boredom, etc) then eat some more, your body may be telling you to eat more. Also, when I exercise I tend to lose my hunger pains (and you CAN eat more) so maybe go get some exercise in!

    Good luck
  • cookiejones
    cookiejones Posts: 104
    Can you eat any more calories? Are you eating your exercise cals? I find the best way to stave off hunger is lots of fiber and water to absorb it all. Nuts, beans, insoluble fiber from grains...
  • MelleyJ
    MelleyJ Posts: 198
    Up your calories to 1500. Once you adjust, if you want to go down you can. It's a big adjustment from eating the number you were at to cut it down to 1200. Your body may need to gradually decrease to avoid feeling hungry and adjust.
    Also, I agree with the posts about making good choices for your foods. Plus, don't forget to have 1 "high calorie" day where you go over. It helps to avoid the beloved plateau. You can do it!
  • Mint_Berry_Crunch
    Mint_Berry_Crunch Posts: 27
    if you are exercising, you need to be eating those calories back. 1200 NET means you should have 1200 calories even after you subtract out what you've burned in your workout.

    im going to the gym shortly, so even though i only have ~200 calories left for the day and i havent yet eaten dinner, im still enjoying a packet of oatmeal before leaving. this will give me fresh carbs for the workout, and ill still be able to eat a 500 calorie dinner without endangering my 1200 NET for the day. :)

    go eat! just not a snickers! lol
  • queen220
    queen220 Posts: 8 Member
    If you are exercising, it allows you more calories. You just enter your exercises each day and it figures in how many more calories you can have.
  • flyinmomof3
    flyinmomof3 Posts: 44 Member
    I agree 1200 is low. I know fiber rich foods and protein helps, but if you are active at all, this could be through exercise, working on your feet, grocery shopping and errands, house cleaning, or really anything at all...1200 isn't enough. 1200 is your bare minimum to function and if you eat that little bit of food and sit on the couch day after day you will still loose weight, because it's really not enough.
  • emysirlaki
    emysirlaki Posts: 14 Member
    Keep yourself busy. Find things that won't make you think of food or cravings. Either reading a book, taking a shower, working out, taking a short nap, playing a game. Drink enough water. Make sure you don't skip meals. But whenever I feel hungry I always eat a cucumber since it's very low in calories and fills you up.
  • Syracusedog
    Syracusedog Posts: 9
    I use Quaker white cheddar rice cakes for a filler food! They taste awesome like white cheddar popcorn and are only 45 calories per cake! for sweet cravings I eat apples the have as much stimulate in them as a cup of coffee and are good for you too! I am a sugar free red bull drinker so my energy is great for 10 calories for 8.4 oz can and only 30 calories for a 20oz can after i work out! Be sure to get sugar free the regular is just too sweet. Hope this helps! -Jay
  • tcgearin
    tcgearin Posts: 3
    I would up my calories. I am not a fan of the 1200 calorie diet I dont think it's enough. So I trick myself. I strive everyday to only eat 1200 calories but my limit is 1320. So I feel extra good about myself when I am under but I dont feel bad if i go over and eat the full 1320.
    Definitely fill up on those low cal things like veggies! Also, I try to eat all day long. A handful of trail mix takes me a while to finish or some low cal whole wheat crackers, carrots, etc. Snack all day but with low calories. Keeps me full :-) Good Luck!
  • LauraLLee
    LauraLLee Posts: 210
    You have gotten some great advice. Veggies... 1 cup of broccoli is 25 calories, Celery 1 stalk about 8 inches is about 6 calories. Bulky foods and high fiber and protien. And of course water...or a cup of hot tea. great earth makes a sweet and spicy tea and I think it is so good I dont even need to add a sweetener.
  • fitbot
    fitbot Posts: 406
    i just read that article that says that if you are hungry you can visualize yourself eating the things you want (ex. M&M's) they give and example of picturing self slowly eating 30 M&Ms taking about 10 min to do it. at the end of the 10 min, your craving is supposed to have gone away.

    I have not tried this yet
  • sheenabe
    sheenabe Posts: 61 Member
    Oh my goodness I can not do 1200 calories. I starve! I have mine set to 1340 and I work out just about everyday so I can eat...well not only so I can eat...lol. I am consuming on average about 1500 or 1600 calories a day and still losing enough to keep me motivated!!! If you are set in your mind about the 1200 calorie thing though drink lots of water, eat a BIG salad, adn always try to incorperate some lean protein in to your meals. Good luck....don't make it so hard on yourself that you want to quit though.
  • sroseber
    sroseber Posts: 197 Member
    lots of protein and fiber and water...these will all help you feel full longer. I tried the 1200 calorie plan for a while and it is really hard, especially at first. I'm now at about 1350 but sometimes only net about 1200 after workouts (I make sure I net at least 1200 though). When I feel hungry and it's not time to eat I try drinking water or chewing a piece of gum. If it's just a craving or mentally wanting to eat that usually fixes it. If I'm still hungry I eat something but try to make it high protein and/or high fiber, even if it makes me a little over. If my stomach is growling then my body needs food. And a day here and there going a little over isn't going to hurt you...it actually may be good to let your body know it will be fed if it needs it so it doesn't get used to the 1200 and start storing calories/fat.

    Good luck and up your calories a little if you need to.
  • DenaFrazier
    DenaFrazier Posts: 2
    So can you tell me some of the things that you eat that have the protein and fiber that are good ?
  • plumpalicious
    plumpalicious Posts: 6
    I've just joined :) MFP suggested i do 1200 calories and i've replaced two of my meals today with a slimfast shake. However once the tub is empty i intend to incorporate food. I think personally that 1200 calories is not a lot (but then i drank the best part of 600 cals for my breakfast and lunch) and i hope by using this site i find plenty of suggestions as to what to eat to get full satiety and flavour from my calories... I also intend to eat my exercise calories and thoroughly enjoy them!
  • TrainerRobin
    TrainerRobin Posts: 509 Member
    Can't be very helpful without looking at your food diary. If you open it up, let me know and I'll take a look for you.

    :ohwell:
  • SheliaN1960
    SheliaN1960 Posts: 454 Member
    I think that sometimes it may take your body just a few days or so to adjust!1 Best wishes!!!
  • alyssa83202
    alyssa83202 Posts: 334
    Exercise! I usually burn at least 600 calories a day and it makes sticking to a 1200 (now 1800) calorie goal way easier! lol :laugh:
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