Food Craving
xxenchantxx14
Posts: 27 Member
My main problem I have with losing weight is food cravings. I can't tell if I'm hungry or not. Sometimes it is just a very strong craving for certain food. I can't control it. Especially in the middle of the night I wake up wanting something to eat but I want to lose weigh. It is really hard because then I can't go back to sleep.
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How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.0
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i noticed ive been having food cravings and binges a lot more and have been working on controlling it. The things that seam to work though im still trying to figure out the cause is calories being too low and not including enough fat in my diet. Its either one of these two or both of these. Try upping both a little and see what happens.0
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i noticed ive been having food cravings and binges a lot more and have been working on controlling it. The things that seam to work though im still trying to figure out the cause is calories being too low and not including enough fat in my diet. Its either one of these two or both of these. Try upping both a little and see what happens.
This is a great point. When I try to go low fat, even when my calories are in a good range, I get lots of cravings too.0 -
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
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xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
Did you enter two pounds a week for your goal rate of loss? What is your current weight?
If you enter an aggressive goal (like two pounds a week), then you will get a very low calorie goal (like 1,200). But you could potentially lose weight while eating more if you chose a more reasonable goal. You're probably having cravings because your goal is low and you ARE hungry.0 -
xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
But how many are you actually eating each day (on average)?0 -
Any chance it's only a desire for food triggered by feelings/stress/boredom/you-name-it?
That's my problem. I eat more than enough, and I have a lot of wholesome foods included. It's just my mind telling me to get more food. Perhaps it's the same for you.
I haven't overcome this, by the way. Still dealing.0 -
xxenchantxx14 wrote: »My main problem I have with losing weight is food cravings. I can't tell if I'm hungry or not. Sometimes it is just a very strong craving for certain food. I can't control it. Especially in the middle of the night I wake up wanting something to eat but I want to lose weigh. It is really hard because then I can't go back to sleep.
I budget calories for a pre-bed snack. I get a lot more than 1200, though, but I'm almost 5'7" and only trying to lose a pound per week, and I earn calories from exercising.0 -
How many calories should I do? I did think it was probably badcatscats222 wrote: »sometimes thirst can be confused by hunger - make sure you are getting your water in daily
hope you are meeting your protein daily
opinion: 1,200 might be too low to sustain for someone with 73 pounds to lose - too aggressive
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That's exactly what is happening to be me. It is mainly bordem.journey2zen wrote: »Any chance it's only a desire for food triggered by feelings/stress/boredom/you-name-it?
That's my problem. I eat more than enough, and I have a lot of wholesome foods included. It's just my mind telling me to get more food. Perhaps it's the same for you.
I haven't overcome this, by the way. Still dealing.
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juggernaut1974 wrote: »xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
But how many are you actually eating each day (on average)?
1200. I did go over today but by 50. But I also went over yesterday too.0 -
Yeah. I really wanted to lose weight so I chose 2 pound per weekjanejellyroll wrote: »xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
Did you enter two pounds a week for your goal rate of loss? What is your current weight?
If you enter an aggressive goal (like two pounds a week), then you will get a very low calorie goal (like 1,200). But you could potentially lose weight while eating more if you chose a more reasonable goal. You're probably having cravings because your goal is low and you ARE hungry.
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1200. But I did go over to day by 50 and yesterday toojanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
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xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
Yeah. I really wanted to lose weight so I chose 2 pound per weekjanejellyroll wrote: »xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
Did you enter two pounds a week for your goal rate of loss? What is your current weight?
If you enter an aggressive goal (like two pounds a week), then you will get a very low calorie goal (like 1,200). But you could potentially lose weight while eating more if you chose a more reasonable goal. You're probably having cravings because your goal is low and you ARE hungry.
Change it to one pound to week, weigh all your food so you know you are accurate in your calorie counting, and give it a few weeks. You'll lose weight and feel more comfortable while doing it. it's much more sustainable when you don't feel so hungry all the time.
Also, make sure that you are choosing foods that you enjoy, and that are satiating for you. Many people find that foods high in protein and fats make them feel fuller and have that feeling last longer.0 -
Don't believe everything you think.
Don't deprive yourself of things you love.
Make room for things you love within your calorie limit.
This will let you lose weight sustainably, and give you healthy habits for a lifetime of weight maintenance.
Don't believe everything you think!0 -
True. I lifted my calories moreDon't believe everything you think.
Don't deprive yourself of things you love.
Make room for things you love within your calorie limit.
This will let you lose weight sustainably, and give you healthy habits for a lifetime of weight maintenance.
Don't believe everything you think!
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I lifted my calories from 1200 to 1432. Is that betterxxenchantxx14 wrote: »
Yeah. I really wanted to lose weight so I chose 2 pound per weekjanejellyroll wrote: »xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
Did you enter two pounds a week for your goal rate of loss? What is your current weight?
If you enter an aggressive goal (like two pounds a week), then you will get a very low calorie goal (like 1,200). But you could potentially lose weight while eating more if you chose a more reasonable goal. You're probably having cravings because your goal is low and you ARE hungry.
Change it to one pound to week, weigh all your food so you know you are accurate in your calorie counting, and give it a few weeks. You'll lose weight and feel more comfortable while doing it. it's much more sustainable when you don't feel so hungry all the time.
Also, make sure that you are choosing foods that you enjoy, and that are satiating for you. Many people find that foods high in protein and fats make them feel fuller and have that feeling last longer.
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I have that problem too - there is actually a new diagnosable eating disorder ( I saw a doctor for it) for people who want to /do eat the majority of their daily calories after dinnertime and wake up at night wanting food and often cannot sleep without. a lot is boredom/using food to cope with something. and a lot if habit - if this is what you've always done (or even your family does and you learned to do) then it will take a while for you to learn to do something else when youre bored/stressed/etc.
the intense cravings will ease up - not entirely but mostly unless youre pmsing. but just be smart - if you want carbs load up on brown rice (eat a cup plain to hit that craving). chocolate - pudding snacks or tootsie rolls or peanut butter nutella mix - just a spoonful (and if you budget it (pb is high in cals). salt - overload something heatly with the salt shaker (its ok sometimes if you drink lots of water too.
doesn't sound as appetizing as cheating on your diet but it works.
also - get sugar free Metamucil. I found that chugging a big glass of water with a serving of this stuff is not only healthy but you are so full you cant imagine eating anything!
and yes 1200 is crazy hard to do. try 1500- more doable if you eat smart and load up on low cal veggies (I put my food over a bed of greens - still tastes the same but fills you up)0 -
I have that problem too - there is actually a new diagnosable eating disorder ( I saw a doctor for it) for people who want to /do eat the majority of their daily calories after dinnertime and wake up at night wanting food and often cannot sleep without. a lot is boredom/using food to cope with something. and a lot if habit - if this is what you've always done (or even your family does and you learned to do) then it will take a while for you to learn to do something else when youre bored/stressed/etc.
the intense cravings will ease up - not entirely but mostly unless youre pmsing. but just be smart - if you want carbs load up on brown rice (eat a cup plain to hit that craving). chocolate - pudding snacks or tootsie rolls or peanut butter nutella mix - just a spoonful (and if you budget it (pb is high in cals). salt - overload something heatly with the salt shaker (its ok sometimes if you drink lots of water too.
doesn't sound as appetizing as cheating on your diet but it works.
also - get sugar free Metamucil. I found that chugging a big glass of water with a serving of this stuff is not only healthy but you are so full you cant imagine eating anything!
and yes 1200 is crazy hard to do. try 1500- more doable if you eat smart and load up on low cal veggies (I put my food over a bed of greens - still tastes the same but fills you up)
What is the name of this eating disorder?0 -
xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
Yeah. I really wanted to lose weight so I chose 2 pound per weekjanejellyroll wrote: »xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
Did you enter two pounds a week for your goal rate of loss? What is your current weight?
If you enter an aggressive goal (like two pounds a week), then you will get a very low calorie goal (like 1,200). But you could potentially lose weight while eating more if you chose a more reasonable goal. You're probably having cravings because your goal is low and you ARE hungry.
I think you can really want to lose weight and still do it in a sustainable and more fun way. I had my goal set to .5 pounds for the last part of my weight loss -- I still really wanted to lose weight, but it's no fun being hungry and battling cravings all the time. When I changed my goals, everything got easier. Good luck!0 -
I raise it to 1,432 I was thinking about brown rice tooI have that problem too - there is actually a new diagnosable eating disorder ( I saw a doctor for it) for people who want to /do eat the majority of their daily calories after dinnertime and wake up at night wanting food and often cannot sleep without. a lot is boredom/using food to cope with something. and a lot if habit - if this is what you've always done (or even your family does and you learned to do) then it will take a while for you to learn to do something else when youre bored/stressed/etc.
the intense cravings will ease up - not entirely but mostly unless youre pmsing. but just be smart - if you want carbs load up on brown rice (eat a cup plain to hit that craving). chocolate - pudding snacks or tootsie rolls or peanut butter nutella mix - just a spoonful (and if you budget it (pb is high in cals). salt - overload something heatly with the salt shaker (its ok sometimes if you drink lots of water too.
doesn't sound as appetizing as cheating on your diet but it works.
also - get sugar free Metamucil. I found that chugging a big glass of water with a serving of this stuff is not only healthy but you are so full you cant imagine eating anything!
and yes 1200 is crazy hard to do. try 1500- more doable if you eat smart and load up on low cal veggies (I put my food over a bed of greens - still tastes the same but fills you up)0 -
Truejanejellyroll wrote: »xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
Yeah. I really wanted to lose weight so I chose 2 pound per weekjanejellyroll wrote: »xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
This app is telling me to eat 1200 calories per dayjanejellyroll wrote: »How many calories are you eating per day? Sometimes going too low can cause food cravings and it can certainly cause us to wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
Did you enter two pounds a week for your goal rate of loss? What is your current weight?
True
If you enter an aggressive goal (like two pounds a week), then you will get a very low calorie goal (like 1,200). But you could potentially lose weight while eating more if you chose a more reasonable goal. You're probably having cravings because your goal is low and you ARE hungry.
I think you can really want to lose weight and still do it in a sustainable and more fun way. I had my goal set to .5 pounds for the last part of my weight loss -- I still really wanted to lose weight, but it's no fun being hungry and battling cravings all the time. When I changed my goals, everything got easier. Good luck!
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I think you have a good strategy going forward now. For those reading your post with similar cravings, here's a couple ideas.
- Analyse your feeling. Is it hunger, boredom, habit?
- It is easier to divert a habit instead of trying to break it. So if it is boredom in the middle of the night, try drinking a full glass of water and read a little bit before going back to bed. So you address the boredom but divert the old habit.
- A diet too close to the minimum can give you genuine hunger signals. Controlling your intake to increase your daily calories by 100-200 a day can satisfy that genuine need.
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night eating syndrome. I went to an eating disorders clinic & psychiatrist. basically just told me that I need to break my habits, be patient with myself, and use something else to cope/when im bored.0
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Thank youI think you have a good strategy going forward now. For those reading your post with similar cravings, here's a couple ideas.- Analyse your feeling. Is it hunger, boredom, habit?
- It is easier to divert a habit instead of trying to break it. So if it is boredom in the middle of the night, try drinking a full glass of water and read a little bit before going back to bed. So you address the boredom but divert the old habit.
- A diet too close to the minimum can give you genuine hunger signals. Controlling your intake to increase your daily calories by 100-200 a day can satisfy that genuine need.
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I don't really know what to do when il bored. I do drink water if I have a craving but it only helps a little.night eating syndrome. I went to an eating disorders clinic & psychiatrist. basically just told me that I need to break my habits, be patient with myself, and use something else to cope/when im bored.
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xxenchantxx14 wrote: »
I don't really know what to do when il bored. I do drink water if I have a craving but it only helps a little.night eating syndrome. I went to an eating disorders clinic & psychiatrist. basically just told me that I need to break my habits, be patient with myself, and use something else to cope/when im bored.
Leave room in your calorie goal so that when you have a craving, you can have a serving of what it is you are craving. If you know this is something you can do every day, you can avoid bingeing, because you know there will always be more.0 -
I found certain foods set my cravings going. Trigger foods. Those foods I eliminated entirely to avoid temptation. I don't really feel deprived, and it is working0
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I get cravings all the time but I ignore them. I just let my mind think about it then I move on0
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