Does anyone else find themselves starving?
MaggieMayy959
Posts: 10 Member
So my calorie goal is just under 1500. I made a breakfast today packed with protein so that I wouldn't get too hungry too fast. For lunch I had some cereal. That was about four hours ago. It almost 4 pm and I found myself STARVING. But I only have about 600 calories left that I'm trying to save for dinner. What gives?
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Replies
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So couple things...how're you measuring your intake? Such as with a measuring cup or a food scale? And are you close to your time of the month (assuming Maggie is a woman)?
No I don't typically feel starving. I don't eat breakfast and love coffee with creamer which gets me to lunch. In my opinion, 600 calories for dinner is a lot! I can eat two chicken thighs and a bunch of veggies in that. And probably could squeeze in some fruit for dessert.2 -
Aunt flow came today! Lol. I usually don't eat breakfast but I did today. I used to have a hard time meeting my calorie goals. I'm CRAVING carbs like so bad. About to do some yoga to help with the cramps but I am RAVENOUS today. It's to the point where I have a headache. And I typically measure my food with a measuring cup. I've done this before and it's worked for me, but today I'm just so hungry!1
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Coffee with skim milk at 2pm hits my spot.0
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It doesnt suprise me that you would be hungry 4 hours after eating... you will either have to be hungry for a couple of hours or sacrifice 100 cals for a snack?
maybe add some exercise so you can eat more?
I also don't find normal cereal very filling - not enough fat or protein.8 -
More questions - how long have you been dieting and have you changed the type of food you eat ? I found I struggled with hunger in the first couple of weeks, particularly late afternoon, but once my body got used to eating less I stopped feeling so hungry between meals - I think it is worse when I'm eating more carbs so am trying to increase protein.2
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Do you exercise at all? I have a calorie goal of 1350 which I would definitely feel like I'm starving on. I get a few hundred exercise calories everyday and eat them all back. I'm much happier since starting that routine.4
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MaggieMayy959 wrote: »Aunt flow came today! Lol. I usually don't eat breakfast but I did today. I used to have a hard time meeting my calorie goals. I'm CRAVING carbs like so bad. About to do some yoga to help with the cramps but I am RAVENOUS today. It's to the point where I have a headache. And I typically measure my food with a measuring cup. I've done this before and it's worked for me, but today I'm just so hungry!
Well that's probably why...when it's my TOM, I don't typically give into the cravings but ...sometimes I do. I will change the MFP settings to .5lbs/week which gives me a calorie deficit yet more calories that day. That way I can fit some ice cream or cheese-it's/goldfish when it gets bad.1 -
This is my second time around. I lost 50 pounds before, now my goal is about 20 more but it's been a while. I used to eat very little and still do. I've been making myself meet my calorie goal. However, now that I've gotten used to it, I get more hungry. Like I never ate breakfast before and I was fine. Once I started, I couldn't stop. Also I find that eating breakfast makes me even more hungry at lunch time. As for exercise, yes I do. I'm fairly active. But in talking to my nutritionist, I found that often we do not burn as many calories as we reward ourselves after exercise. So we may think we burned 200 but only burned 75, resulting in going over the limit. While I'm not super concerned, I try to stay to my limit without factoring in exercise2
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I think it's because you only had cereal for lunch. It doesnt crave hunger very much and not much protein at all. Plus 4 hrs later. If you only want to eat cereal for lunch, try throwing in some fruit in it and also make a protein shake with more fruit in it. Or have a side of yogurt or cottage cheese.3
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Hungry sometimes yes. Starving, never.0
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I usually don't eat my meals until I feel a little hungry (I can generally eat whenever I want at work and at home). Wake up around 630, breakfast 930-10, lunch 1-2, dinner 6-7, sleep 10-11. Works for me generally.1
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You should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours. Try to eat as many "protein" foods as you can (I did a intense internet search on protein and complex carbohydrates). Cereals won`t do it. I´ve lost since January 66 pounds (268 - 202) and feel i can go on forever with my meal plan (doesnt feel dieting at all). Example of meal plan that my nutritionist gave me (It worked for me)
7:30 am Breakfast - fried egg (coconut oil)....3 slices of "turkey" or "chicken breast" ham....slice of whole bread...6 almonds...cup of coffee (love this breakfast...my 10 year old son too, but only twice a week for him);
10:30 am snack - 50 calories of any lean cheese and 10 almonds;
12:45 pm lunch - Half a plate of meat or fish, the other half is with (beans or brown rice or sweet potatoe u get the picture) and vegetables;
15:00 pm pre-workout shake (whey protein 25gr) taken with a shot of l-carnitine;
16:45 pm post - workout shake (whey protein 25gr) and a banana or orange;
19:00 pm dinner - Half a plate of meat or fish, the other half with vegetables;
22:00 pm late snack - cup of tea with 2-4 whole waffers (sometimes I don´t eat them at all)
That´s around 1500-1600 calories a day.
1 hour exercise 4 times week and all the water i can drink (crucial)
Hope it gives you and idea that eating to far apart isn´t a good idea and that´s why you´re starving.16 -
MaggieMayy959 wrote: »This is my second time around. I lost 50 pounds before, now my goal is about 20 more but it's been a while. I used to eat very little and still do. I've been making myself meet my calorie goal. However, now that I've gotten used to it, I get more hungry. Like I never ate breakfast before and I was fine. Once I started, I couldn't stop. Also I find that eating breakfast makes me even more hungry at lunch time. As for exercise, yes I do. I'm fairly active. But in talking to my nutritionist, I found that often we do not burn as many calories as we reward ourselves after exercise. So we may think we burned 200 but only burned 75, resulting in going over the limit. While I'm not super concerned, I try to stay to my limit without factoring in exercise
Is your goal set here on MFP or by the Nutritionist? What is your weekly weight loss target?
Also, as others have said, cereal alone for lunch is rubbish. Of course you'd be hungry after that. a better choice including some protein will help.1 -
MaggieMayy959 wrote: »Aunt flow came today! Lol. I usually don't eat breakfast but I did today. I used to have a hard time meeting my calorie goals. I'm CRAVING carbs like so bad. About to do some yoga to help with the cramps but I am RAVENOUS today. It's to the point where I have a headache. And I typically measure my food with a measuring cup. I've done this before and it's worked for me, but today I'm just so hungry!
For me personally, eating breakfast makes me much more hungry throughout the day. That could be the case here if you aren't used to eating it. Coupled with the timing of your monthly visit, could have intensified things even more2 -
joaomelo1973 wrote: »You should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours.
why?0 -
If you started having trouble with hunger when you started eating breakfast maybe you should cut it out again. It would also give you more calories to work with later in the day.0
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TavistockToad wrote: »joaomelo1973 wrote: »You should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours.
why?
Somedays that i didn´t hate my afternoon snacks i would eat almost anything in da fridge just before dinner time.
To not feel starving is the simple answer. Of course there are more scientific answers...just google (and you´ll get opposite opinions as well).
Also, simple carbs will make you hungry again very fast as opposite to protein and complex carbs.
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joaomelo1973 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »joaomelo1973 wrote: »You should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours.
why?
That´s something to do with insulin spikes and or something like that. Somedays that i didn´t prepare my afternoon snacks i would eat almost eveything in da fridge just before dinner time.
To not feel starving is the simple answer.
so you should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours, if that happens to you, not OP or anyone else....2 -
So I get 1270 calories a day. I was really worried I would be starving so I made a plan to attack it. I know that my afternoons are when I get hungry, like many people. So I plan for it. I have a ~300 calorie breakfast, lunch, and ~400 for dinner. That leaves me 200 calories for snacks. I can eat them all at once or I usually have some in the late afternoon and have some left for after dinner. I also find that if I am not getting in my water intake, I'm starving! (or at least I think I am). Take a couple days and try to figure out what signals your body is trying to tell you and then make a plan to accommodate that. Being hungry on a diet is not going to lead to success. If you need a day where you eat because you are hungry, then do it. But account for it and get back on track the next day. Your body may be telling you something important, don't ignore it. I also find that ICE or gum also helps me through those "hungry" times. Its something to chew on so my brain thinks I'm eating. Hope that helps.3
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TavistockToad wrote: »joaomelo1973 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »joaomelo1973 wrote: »You should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours.
why?
That´s something to do with insulin spikes and or something like that. Somedays that i didn´t prepare my afternoon snacks i would eat almost eveything in da fridge just before dinner time.
To not feel starving is the simple answer.
so you should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours, if that happens to you, not OP or anyone else....
Just my $0,02 advice. As i said...It worked for me. Lost 66 pounds so far and my clinical analysis just got way better.3 -
That type of hunger is ALWAYS hormonal for me. I mean, I can normally be hungry, rumbling stomach and everything, but I never feel like I'm starving like before AF.
It will pass.5 -
joaomelo1973 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »joaomelo1973 wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »joaomelo1973 wrote: »You should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours.
why?
That´s something to do with insulin spikes and or something like that. Somedays that i didn´t prepare my afternoon snacks i would eat almost eveything in da fridge just before dinner time.
To not feel starving is the simple answer.
so you should eat every 2.5 to 3 hours, if that happens to you, not OP or anyone else....
Just my $0,02 advice. As i said...It worked for me. Lost 66 pounds so far and my clinical analysis just got way better.
Glad that worked for you to stay in calorie deficit. I only eat 2x per day and stay in calorie deficit. To eat the way you did would have been a disaster for me and I would never have been able to stay in deficit. Staying in deficit is all that matters. Nutrient timing and frequency does not. Your way of eating was not a factor in your numbers improving. Your fat loss was.2 -
Just gave her an example.
Maybe should haven´t wrote "You should but You could". English isn´t my native language.6 -
MaggieMayy959 wrote: »So my calorie goal is just under 1500. I made a breakfast today packed with protein so that I wouldn't get too hungry too fast. For lunch I had some cereal. That was about four hours ago. It almost 4 pm and I found myself STARVING. But I only have about 600 calories left that I'm trying to save for dinner. What gives?
Happens to me sometimes. I'd say once every other week (give or take) I'll get a day like this is I'm running a somewhat aggressive 1.5-2 lbs/wk deficit. Usually just got to gut through it, and if I'm for sure feeling to hungry for sleep I'll usually throw in some extra veggies.
That said, it's fairly routine for me to get sensations like that on a regular basis. Maybe 2 or 3 times a week. In the majority of these cases though it's psychological hunger. When I actually check in with how my stomach feels, energy levels, and fullness are I realize I'm fine and the feeling usually stops.
Everyone has different experiences of these things, but if you don't already, I'd recommend examining your hunger sensations and determine if you're actually hungry, or just psychologically hungry. One of the best tells for me is that psychological hunger comes on quick, and can ebb and flow. Being actually hungry always gradually increases, and once is there, is incessant. Sharp hunger coming out of nowhere is almost always psychological.2 -
I just want to let you know that during a women's period, her metabolism increases of around 8-10% due to progesterone so I think adding 150 calories for a snack for 4 days (10% of your calorie intake) during you period would not change your deficit. There was an actual study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition done to back this up.3
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I'd be hungry an hour after eating cereal. I would have at least thrown in an 80 calorie Greek yogurt there, or some cottage cheese.2
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If Ii ate cereal for any meal I'd be starving too. I have to eat HIGH volume vegetables and lean meats. No dressings or calories spent on drinks. Hell, I don't even eat fruit much when I'm really cutting. And there are still some points during the day when I'm hungry.2
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I'd be hungry an hour after eating cereal. I would have at least thrown in an 80 calorie Greek yogurt there, or some cottage cheese.
Agreed, I am always hungry 2 hours after cereal. It's high in calories due to sugar but not filling. I find oatmeal - (quick cooking plain) to be the best filler. Add fruits/nuts/yogurt
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My suggestion would be to start hacking your diet. Change what you eat so that you can eat more. The other option is to add exercise as many have suggested. I did both. I learned to make the same foods I loved with less calories and I added exercise. Some foods I learned to like that I never thought I would in a million years. My usual breakfast during my weight loss phase was a bowl of All Bran with half a banana sliced up in it (I would slice and freeze ripe ones for my cereal) with almond milk and I would then drink a protein shake. It generally did really well for me until late morning, and then I would eat a lower calorie protein snack/bar. Granted, I'm tall, and a guy, so I had more calories to work with (about 400 more than you) plus I added a lot of exercise calories of which I ate back around 50%. So those are options.0
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I've recently adapted to a Low Carb/Keto diet. I find myself not craving sugars or junk and I have to remind myself to eat because my appetite has diminished. For me personally, this is the way to go to loose and maintain the weight. Cereal is ALL carbs basically so then you end up hungry sooner and wanting more junk.3
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