How to handle 3pm hunger pangs?

asaxena84
asaxena84 Posts: 5
edited September 27 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi

Not sure if anybody experiences this but I feel so hungry at 3pm. I ended up taking a cup of tea with lite popcorn. But I could eat so much more :(

Anu

Replies

  • deeharley
    deeharley Posts: 1,208 Member
    I plan a midafternoon snack into my calories forthe day - usually something with protein, but sometimes it's a junky snack.
  • pittielover23
    pittielover23 Posts: 268
    That is one of the hardest times for me too! I usually do 2 afternoon snacks so I do not let myself get super hungry. Today I am having a greek yogurt around 2, then I will have a 100 cal bag of popcorn around 3. Usually with that and water or tea, I can get through OK.
  • Daisy_May
    Daisy_May Posts: 505 Member
    I totally go through this! I find a small snack (100 calories) and a cup of hot lemon water really works!
  • Sophronisba
    Sophronisba Posts: 9 Member
    Having this problem right now -- I'm going to make some coffee to see if that helps.
  • bejay23
    bejay23 Posts: 11 Member
    A cup of tea helps me...and that's what I am about to make right now! Ugh...does anyone have 7pm pains. Those are the worst for me b/c I try to eat dinner by 5, and then at 7 I get stuck b/c I feel like I am hungry again...
  • pcteck2
    pcteck2 Posts: 184 Member
    I practice "defensive eating": try hard not to ever get too hungry. Midmorning I often eat a piece of fruit. Midafternoon I eat something more substantial. Maybe peanut butter on Wasa bread, or a hard boiled egg and some fruit. Some protein, some carb and some fat.
  • stanvoodoo
    stanvoodoo Posts: 1,023 Member
    I only have protein snacks so I can't do junk. Protein bar or cottage cheese are what I usually have. Other good protein choices are Greek Yogurt and some cheeses like string cheese in small amts.

    Good Luck, You can do It!
  • shimmergal
    shimmergal Posts: 380 Member
    I feel real hungry (pangs) if my lunch is very lite. Today, I ate a decent lunch (around 500cals) with grilled chicken, green beans and 1/2 cup of wheat berries&orzo. So, I feel like I am not going to be hungry until 4 or 5pm. Next time, I would advise you to have a filling lunch and go lite on dinner. Also, you shouldn't be starving at 3pm. I wonder how you can function at your job/etc if you have genuine hunger pangs ?

    Anyways, to help solve your current problem, here is a goto and satisfying snack - 1slice WW toast w/2tsp lite PB +1tsp fruit preserve/jam OR apple w/lite PB. Yummy!
  • ladybug1620
    ladybug1620 Posts: 1,136 Member
    Plan your meals a little smaller earlier in the day, so you have some calories to alot to an afternoon snack. I eat breakfast around 9, lunch around 12, and a snack around 3. Then dinner whenever I get home. I haven't felt hungry in forever.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    Plan your meals a little smaller earlier in the day, so you have some calories to alot to an afternoon snack. I eat breakfast around 9, lunch around 12, and a snack around 3. Then dinner whenever I get home. I haven't felt hungry in forever.

    And to add to this, try to make your snacks a combination of healthy protein, fats and carbs. Ex: cut veggies with peanut butter, whole-grain crackers with cheese, nuts & fruit... you get the picture! I find when I do this, it keeps me more satisfied than when it's all carbs (just fruit, just popcorn, etc.)
  • beenmb
    beenmb Posts: 4 Member
    Yes me too. I find I can fairly easily put off eating lunch so instead of eating lunch around noon I hold off until 2 or so. Now I'm not hungry from 3-5 or dinner.
  • jleegirl
    jleegirl Posts: 44
    Fiber One bars. 130 calories....Super filling and delish...
  • ladybg81
    ladybg81 Posts: 1,553 Member
    I am sitting here hungry and do not know what to do. I do not want the apple I brought and I know I should not eat ANYTHING in the vending machine. SO, I will continue to drink my water (and pee every 20 freakin minutes) and deal until I leave at 5.
  • sharifikim
    sharifikim Posts: 5 Member
    I am sitting here hungry and do not know what to do. I do not want the apple I brought and I know I should not eat ANYTHING in the vending machine. SO, I will continue to drink my water (and pee every 20 freakin minutes) and deal until I leave at 5.

    Yes I have had to force myself sometimes too. But if you can manage to get a bit of light cheese with that apple next time or a bit of peanut butter it will be more statisfying. I've had to really space my calories out so I can afford better snacks or else we are looking at a hostage situation in the break room if you know what I mean!
  • asaxena84
    asaxena84 Posts: 5
    Thanks very much. I usually have dinner around noon and today I had only a veggie salad with no dressing. Probably thats the reason I'm so hungry. I will try a combination of protein and carbs.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    Thanks very much. I usually have dinner around noon and today I had only a veggie salad with no dressing. Probably thats the reason I'm so hungry. I will try a combination of protein and carbs.

    Yup! healthy protein, carbs and fat (don't forget healthy fat! it's very important!!) with every meal is a good rule to follow. If you can build it into every snack, too, that's even better.
  • Shellz206
    Shellz206 Posts: 97 Member
    special k bar :)
  • Right now, I'm starving. I'm afraid when I get home I'm going to totally pig out while making dinner - I need some control!
  • 1sisrat
    1sisrat Posts: 267 Member
    I eat an apple and string cheese or a chobani yogurt and and apple. It's good stuff and lasts me till dinner time and after my workout.
  • ladybugh
    ladybugh Posts: 14
    I've been trying carrots or a banana and drinking tea. But haven't quite hit the magic thing to tide me over yet.
  • Sidneylog
    Sidneylog Posts: 15
    Only been on here a couple of days and am finding 1pm, 3pm and 7pm difficult! Needing words of wisdom and support myself I think to stop the chocolate monster getting me.....again!


    :)
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    Yup I get hungry at that time too. I had to start eating more around that time, just tons of HEALTHY mid day snacks and it gets me through. I've been doing this for months and it really helps keep me in check.

    Here is kinda how my day goes for calories but of course the #'s do vary day to day:

    morning (breakfast and snacks 730am-1230pm) = 300 calories
    afternoon (lunch and snacks 1230pm-530pm) = 700 calories
    evening (dinner and snacks 530pm-9pm) = 500+

    **I eat my exercize calories so dinner evening snacks are based on how much I burned that day**

    But as you can see the bulk of my calories are consumed in the afternoon and my lunch is usually only 200-300 of that.....so most of it is my snack foods (usually fruits, veggies, dried cereal, protein shakes and yogurt)
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,415 Member
    Plan your meals a little smaller earlier in the day, so you have some calories to alot to an afternoon snack. I eat breakfast around 9, lunch around 12, and a snack around 3. Then dinner whenever I get home. I haven't felt hungry in forever.

    And to add to this, try to make your snacks a combination of healthy protein, fats and carbs. Ex: cut veggies with peanut butter, whole-grain crackers with cheese, nuts & fruit... you get the picture! I find when I do this, it keeps me more satisfied than when it's all carbs (just fruit, just popcorn, etc.)

    yeahthat.gif


    You have to get a mix of Carbs / Protein / Fats in every meal and snack. That and a little fiber is the key to balanced blood sugar and, therefore, lack of hunger. Eat every 3-4 hours. This is the SECRET you are searching for!!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,415 Member
    .....just to add, use a timer to remind you to eat on a schedule.


    Don't ever miss a meal, and you won't ever Miss A Meal.
  • georgiajuly
    georgiajuly Posts: 126
    Right now, I'm starving. I'm afraid when I get home I'm going to totally pig out while making dinner - I need some control!
    Here's my trick - first thing you do when you make dinner is start cutting up vegetables, and you can stuff in all the carrots and such you like while cooking. I won't usually deliberately go to eat these, but while I'm cooking I will.
    As to the afternoon, I have lunch at 12:30, dinner between 7 and 9, so I usually have a half Clif Bar in the office around 5:00. 120 calories, 10 grams protein. I don't quite feel full when I finish it, but 20 minutes later I'm fine. Chobani is my go-to snack for later in the evening.
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