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How to deal with hunger while dieting?

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Replies

  • hiyomi
    hiyomi Posts: 906 Member
    In my experience, the hunger from first starting our a diet or calorie counting generally goes away after the first two weeks or so.
  • lifeandleaves
    lifeandleaves Posts: 97 Member
    I drink five to six cups of white or green tea every day. Sometimes when I am feeling hungry, I will do another task that needs doing, i.e. take a shower, brush my teeth, put on a clay mask, do some homework, sweep the floor - anything that will occupy five minutes of my time.

    I have found that eating high-protein foods (for me this is tempeh) also keeps me fuller longer.

    I do not avoid carbs - my daily goal is 50% carbs. Carbs are a necessary source of energy for our brains, which need glucose. I do avoid heavily-processed carbs, i.e. sugar, white bread. I still eat potatoes, brown rice, all kinds of vegetables, some fruit, etc.

    For the past 8 years I have eaten a relatively high-carb diet and have never had a BMI of more than 22 in this time. Different methods work for different people, but villainising a whole macronutrient group has been proven never to be the answer.

    Adjusting to a lower calorie amount that usual is not easy going! For me, drinking loads of tea and water, eating a sensibly balanced set of macros throughout the day, and distracting myself from cravings with productive activities is the magic combination to losing/keeping extra fat off.

    Best of luck on your journey to a healthier body and mind, however that looks and however you get there!
  • BlueSkyShoal
    BlueSkyShoal Posts: 325 Member
    Sleep. When I would get really, unbearably hungry . . . I'd go take a nap. (Obviously this one doesn't work when you're at work, lol.)
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I read a review on a protein supplement site, a woman said that she kept zipper sandwich bags containing 1 serving of the protein powder in her purse, at her desk, in her car, etc for those occasions when she couldn't eat proper meals. She simply added a little water to the baggie and had protein pudding.
  • DietPrada
    DietPrada Posts: 1,171 Member
    I spent 20 years trying to diet and failing because of the hunger. I'm never hungry now, and I've lost 80 lbs. But I eat low carb, high fat. Contrary to what people on here will tell you, I am not missing out on anything, my diet is full of great healthy food and I've never felt (or looked) better.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    Coffee...lots of coffee...
  • youdoyou2016
    youdoyou2016 Posts: 393 Member
    IdahoAdventurer wrote: »
    When I eat a few eggs in the morning, I'm not hungry for most of the day. I know that's a pretty simple and unexciting solution, but it works really, really well. I've lost 40lbs since Christmas and I'm not starving myself.

    Same here. I learned that if I have oatmeal or fruit in the morning, I'm hungry the rest of the day -- no matter what else I eat.

    Also, if you're just starting out I think you just have to get used to it at first. Everybody here is giving ideas, of course. (Including me.) But, sometimes, for no reason it seems, I have a "hungry day." I just ignore it. It's only a sensation.
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