How to get through the hungry hour?

jmgj27
jmgj27 Posts: 531 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello!

I am having real problems with snacking around 4/5pm. It's basically when I make my kids' tea and after we get back from a day of usually heavy exercise. I like to have a bigger meal at night so my calories will already be allocated and I won't have much (if anything) left over for snacks at this time. I can't really change my evening meals much either as I share them and don't have the willpower at the moment to cut back even further in my portion sizes in comparison to my husband's. I currently eat around 1500 calories a day and don't really struggle much apart from this time. Any help?

Replies

  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Why does how much your husband has on his plate impact your portions?
  • jmgj27
    jmgj27 Posts: 531 Member
    Because I find it very hard already dishing out his portions and then nearly halving that for mine. Portion creep is a constant issue for me.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Eat less earlier?
  • tayyrenee007
    tayyrenee007 Posts: 1 Member
    You really have to force yourself and stop making excuses. If I'm having food binge issues I like to chug a glass of room temp water and then walk out of the kitchen and sit in the living room and watch tv or play on my phone or clean, anything that will take me out of kitchen, even if that means I'm eating alone 30 min later. I'd rather eat alone and eat less than eat with everyone and over eat.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I would see if you can tweak things earlier in the day so you have 50-150 calories for a small snack (maybe a piece of fruit).
  • JessicaB2004
    JessicaB2004 Posts: 2 Member
    Studies have shown that you eat less when you do not eat with everyone.
  • JessicaB2004
    JessicaB2004 Posts: 2 Member
    If you eat a lot at breakfast you are less likely to over consume for the rest of the day.
  • DaisyHamilton
    DaisyHamilton Posts: 575 Member
    JessicaB2004 wrote: »
    Studies have shown that you eat less when you do not eat with everyone.

    I eat a lot more when other people aren't around.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    jmgj27 wrote: »
    Because I find it very hard already dishing out his portions and then nearly halving that for mine. Portion creep is a constant issue for me.

    I weigh my food and usually let my OH get his own. He's a foot taller than me and not trying to lose weight so our portions are very different. I underserve him when I get his food.

    What about having an apple at 4/5 PM?
  • walkjem
    walkjem Posts: 47 Member
    jmgj27 wrote: »
    Because I find it very hard already dishing out his portions and then nearly halving that for mine. Portion creep is a constant issue for me.

    I use a salad plate for my dinner. It looks like more food! My husband dishes out his own food, have your husband do it too!

  • nixxthirteen
    nixxthirteen Posts: 280 Member
    I love an Amooza cheese string or a turkey pepperette 50-60 calories. With a water mixed with flavoured Mio, or a green tea. Takes the edge off for me :).

    My SO and I 50/50 split veggies and salad, then I portion out my own meat and rice (100g usually) and he takes his own. I never worry about dinner not filling me up because I make a lot of veggies (steamed broccoli, baked asparagus, green beans, etc) and can eat SO MUCH in a 500cal or less meal.

    I also stick to 1500-1600 calories per day.

    My diary is naughty lately because a lot of emotional stress going on but I've been doing my best if you'd like to sneak a peek.
  • brb_2013
    brb_2013 Posts: 1,197 Member
    jmgj27 wrote: »
    Because I find it very hard already dishing out his portions and then nearly halving that for mine. Portion creep is a constant issue for me.

    Same for me, it's so hard to sit down next to him with half a plate and his is overflowing.

    If it's just an hour that you're hungry can you chew gum and drink water? I have started chewing gum on my drive home because that 45 minutes of sitting in traffic all I think about is dinner. I'm not tempted to stop for food but my tummy grumbles. I sip water and chew gum the whole drove and then manage to wait an hour or so until we are ready to eat.
  • jmgj27
    jmgj27 Posts: 531 Member
    Thanks everybody. I do chew gum which helps some. I think it's made worse because I have twin toddlers who have dinner around 5 so I'm prepping food for them and serving it to them. Thankfully they have pretty good appetites so there's not much left to pick from but I can't walk out of the kitchen or do something that doesn't involve food unfortunately. I'll make it through 4/5 days in a row but then crack one day. Not helped by my husband buying biscuits all the freaking time! I have another 55lbs to go (45 down) so an absolute mile really and I'm finding it tough at the moment.
  • Clarewho
    Clarewho Posts: 494 Member
    A black coffee is my go to at that time and it works well for me. But really it's down to willpower or saving some calories if you can't last. It is a difficult time of day I agree. You've done very well so far, well done :smiley:
  • cavia
    cavia Posts: 457 Member
    I'll have a diet soda or a glass of water and do a countdown to the next meal. I tell myself I won't die from the hunger pangs. Sure enough, the next meal comes and the hungry beast is temporarily soothed.
  • questionfear
    questionfear Posts: 527 Member
    I always drink a whole glass of water and wait at least 15 minutes before snacking when I get that "bored/hungry?" hour...I know I can hold out, I'm not actually super hungry, but it's that midafternoon "a snack would be nice right now" feeling.

    Alternately, I budget in for iced coffee with a tablespoon of cream, so it's a "treat" that only runs around 30cals.
  • MelissaLimeKiwi
    MelissaLimeKiwi Posts: 121 Member
    Calorie free carbonated beverage, plus I schedule a snack for 3-4 pm, usually Greek yogurt and fruit.

Categories