Do hunger pains go away?

With smaller meals, the effective volume of the stomach tends to shrink. This is very important in the perception of hunger and satiety.

This is false information. Just want to point that out. The size of the stomach stays the same whether you are 500 lbs or 100 lbs.

Do you believe that your appetite decreases when you eat less over a sustained period of time?

Yes, I do believe appetite decreases and by A LOT! I've been eating on 8" plates for around 1.5 years now and I simply CANNOT eat more than that amount. I get physically sick if I even try.
As for the stomach shrinking? It's a muscular organ (not necessarily a muscle, but it works thanks to muscles within it), isn't it? So, yes, I do believe it shrinks. There are countless research articles on stomachs expanding to fit in more food, I seriously doubt that it doesn't contract when you begin a sustained period of your life feeding it less. This would cause you to feel RAVENOUS all the time, and as is my particular case, I no longer feel the need to eat as I was eating before. Not only that, I physically cannot.

http://theandersonmethod.com/category/does-your-stomach-shrink-when-you-diet/

Great boots-on-the-stomach report.

And that's what others report as well in Hagan's pilot study.

There is another study where researchers had volunteers swallow some type of nanometric tube and quantified that the EFFECTIVE stomach volume does shrink over prolonged periods of NOT being stuffed.

Even they were surprised at the results.

So with a smaller effective volume, not only CAN'T you eat as much as you did before, but the stretch receptors reset and give out a signal to the brain to stop eating (basically) at a lower volume.

What WAS surprising in Hagan's study was that all it took was an enforced morning fast- the folks were on a 14/10 water-fast and then eat-as-much-as-you-want protocol.

So eating small meals works on a psychological level just on stomach physiology alone. Theoretically, it should not matter WHAT you eat, but how much you eat.

More studies needed.

Indeed, more studies are needed. I cannot (and generally don't) speak from a medical, fitness guru, dietician perspective. I can only speak from my own 93-lb weight loss perspective from 6/2013 until today. Eating less, for a wheelchair-bound, 5'1 woman has resulted in what I've done this far. Not excessive exercise, eating salads, eating this-or-that. I feel that when I understood that my body didn't need the amount of food I was feeding it, that it didn't need to feel full all the time and that this need is purely psychological and no biological beyond a discreet amount of calories/food, I began to lose weight. Is this true for everyone? I guess not, as proven by people who lose weight exercising excessively/moderately or eating salads, or whatnots. I've come to a point in my life where I honestly believe that people would benefit (a LOT) by eating less than they do, and finding a balance of their life stresses. BUT, if whatever they are doing makes them happy, and is giving them their desired results, then they should continue. Happiness/less stress is a nice goal to have, no? My advice to the world, if I could give them one? We shouldn't knock down ANYONE'S successful experience simply because they aren't in the medical/nutrition field. I was born with a disability, and NONE of the hundreds of doctors, dietitians I've seen in my 37 years on this planet have been able to achieve with me, what I taught myself in these almost 2 years of taking control of my life. 93 pounds lost. It's no joke, and I do think that this personal journey of mine is worth reading about, not because it's me - I'm no one particularly special or smart - but because I HAVE lost and continue to, in my own unorthodox way, so maybe there's someone out there for whom my experience might help. Those for whom it won't, then they shouldn't pay attention to me, but demean my efforts? It wouldn't be fair, for me and those who might read my story and somehow benefit from it.

It's important to learn the difference between actual hunger and just the feeling of wanting to eat. It takes a long time to learn the difference... I agree about drinking lots of water. It will make you feel so full and you won't be able to eat more. I used to eat every meal until I was stuffed but now that feeling is so uncomfortable to me. It's also great to add a small (or huge) salad to lunch and dinner since you can have a large volume of food to fill your stomach with very few calories. Stick to lettuce, veggies and something like mustard or lemon juice.

Yes with water

Yes with water

water does help!

If I was eating the things you are, I would be hungry too. Greek yogurt and protein shakes may have a lot of protein in them, but I still need some solid food (or something filling like a banana added to the shake), or I will be hungry. It looks like you put milk in your protein shakes. To save calories, you could try unsweetened almond milk or water. I would suggest you stop drinking your calories, and instead eat more filling solid foods. Eggs and meat are going to fill you up a lot more for the protein. Aim for carbs that are high in fiber. Eat healthy fats that you also find satiating. Almonds are great, but if you are feeling hungry you might want to eat something more substantial for the calories (unless you find them really satisfying, personally I don't).

Finally, if your calorie goal is too low for you to stick to it, try reassessing your weight loss goals. Reduce your goal to 1lb/week (or even 0.5lb/week if you have to), so that you can eat more and still lose. It is far far far far far better that you have a plan you can stick to, even if you lose slower, than if you give up.

Mis-read this as "do huger pen!ses go away"

With smaller meals, the effective volume of the stomach tends to shrink. This is very important in the perception of hunger and satiety.

This is false information. Just want to point that out. The size of the stomach stays the same ywhether you are 500 lbs or 100 lbs.

Do you believe that your appetite decreases when you eat less over a sustained period of time?

I know this question is not directed to me, but I'll chime in anyway.

In general, my appetite has decreased over time from learning moderation. However, there are some days when I feel more hungry due to my activity level and I eat more food.

I know for sure that my stomach does not shrink or get bigger day-by-day, so it is my appetite.

Well, if appetite tends to decrease as one eats less, perhaps it's understandable that individuals would think the stomach "shrinks." That's the whole point of telling someone their stomach will shrink anyway, isn't it? That their appetite will lessen? Or do some think the statement is meant to imply they will lose their visible gut overnight?

Or maybe this is just one of those issues, such as "does muscle weight more than fat?" that everyone likes to get pedantic over.

I get the impression that some people think their stomach actually shrinks from eating less.

As for pedantic...not my thing to decide. Everybody has the right to their opinion.

Eat vegetables ...... raw, steamed, sauteed, roasted ...... they'll fill you up ..... with little extra calories :flowerforyou:

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You bet I understand! It's like my brain never passes the message along to my stomach that it's full. I swear my brain knows when I'm trying to lose weight and it makes sure I feel the hunger pains until it's the only thing I can think about until I binge. Horrible.

I was trying to add a comment that weight loss surgery does indeed decrease the size of the stomach.

With smaller meals, the effective volume of the stomach tends to shrink. This is very important in the perception of hunger and satiety.

This is false information. Just want to point that out. The size of the stomach stays the same whether you are 500 lbs or 100 lbs.

Actually that's not true. I'm a GI pathologist and the stomach of a 500 lb person is going to be way bigger than the stomach of a 100 lb person. (In general, unless they are a professional eater or something)I'm not saying the stomach shrinks (I think we just get used to the feeling of less food) but if you consistently overeat, the stomach "stretches" out.

I've done autopsies on 500 lb folks before, ALL of their organs are usually bigger.

If I was eating the things you are, I would be hungry too. Greek yogurt and protein shakes may have a lot of protein in them, but I still need some solid food (or something filling like a banana added to the shake), or I will be hungry. It looks like you put milk in your protein shakes. To save calories, you could try unsweetened almond milk or water. I would suggest you stop drinking your calories, and instead eat more filling solid foods. Eggs and meat are going to fill you up a lot more for the protein. Aim for carbs that are high in fiber. Eat healthy fats that you also find satiating. Almonds are great, but if you are feeling hungry you might want to eat something more substantial for the calories (unless you find them really satisfying, personally I don't).

Finally, if your calorie goal is too low for you to stick to it, try reassessing your weight loss goals. Reduce your goal to 1lb/week (or even 0.5lb/week if you have to), so that you can eat more and still lose. It is far far far far far better that you have a plan you can stick to, even if you lose slower, than if you give up.

Thank you. I will try eating more solid foods and fiber.

I totally agree with this. If your body feels deprived it can lead to over compensation

You do get used to eating less and will feel less hungry, definitely.

^absolutely!

I have trouble feeling full. I give myself time for it to register that I have eaten, but unless I overeat I don't feel full. I am trying to choose foods with protein. Yesterday I binged, I just couldn't feel full. Is it something you get used to or that goes away? Does anyone even know what I am talking about?

For me, personally, I have a pretty good appetite and I like to eat a fairly large volume of food. I find this satisfying. As such, I'm careful about the food choices I make. For example. You can make a great stir fry with mounds and mounds of fresh veggies, an appropriate portion of meat, and an appropriate portion of rice or noodles and be super full.

So, my first rule of thumb is.... double the veggies.

Another example
5 oz of pork tenderloin
3 cups of broccolini with 1 cup of sliced mushrooms stir fried with some garlic, ginger and soy sauce
1/2 a cup of baked sweet potato

This is a huge dinner with a tremendous volume of food.

or

5 oz of grilled chicken
1 cup steamed broccoli
1 cup of steamed cauliflower
1/2 cup of steamed carrots
1/2 cup of brown rice with sliced green onion and perhaps a bit of pinapple

For breakfast why not a baked egg dish
two eggs with a bit of milk. use a small flan dish and bake in the oven with sliced colored peppers, onions, spinach, mushrooms and a bit of cheese (goat or maybe parmesan) grated on top. Bake at 400 for about 15-20 minutes. (it's like a baked, open-faced omelet)
serve with a side of sliced tomatoes on a bed of arugula and a small drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.

The long and short of it is, veggies are your friends! Learn to cook them in many ways with many spices and herbs and incorporate them at every meal to provide huge volumes of food at very little calorie cost and huge vitamin benefit.