Magic Foods? Tips?
7rainbow
Posts: 161 Member
Alrighty, I realize science says that we need to exercise and eat less calories but... Are there any kinds of foods that, I dunno, suppress your appetite or help you lose weight or something? Or does anyone have techniques to combat food addiction? I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm desperate and will try about anything at the moment. 😅 Ya girl is breaking down.
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Replies
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Calorie deficit is what dictates weight loss, and there is no way around that. However, some foods are more satiating than others, and focusing on those will make sticking to your calorie deficit a whole lot easier. A lot of that is very individual, but most people find protein satiating (even if they don't realise it), so start by ensuring you're getting adequate protein. A good goal for that is 0.6-0.8g per lb of goal/ideal weight (if you don't know what that is for you yet, just pick somewhere in the middle of healthy BMI for your height), as a minimum. Focussing on nutrient dense foods, IMHO, also goes a long way towards satiety, so loading up on low cal vege can help, particularly if you're a volume eater. Non-starchy green (and red, and yellow...) things are your friend.
Another thing to keep in mind is setting a realistic weight loss rate. Most people will choose 2lb per week, because we all want it gone yesterday. Unless you have over 100lb to lose though, 2lb per week is too aggressive. Even if you do have a large amount to lose, sometimes slower is better if it means you actually get to where you want to be.13 -
The closest thing to magic food I found was konjac rice. A whole bag of it is something like 35 cals. Tastes of nothing but fills you up, great with something like a curry. Ignore the smell when you open it though 😀4
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I will channel my husband and tell you what he swears by; Water. He says "drink more than you can stand." He actually weighs himself before bed...and in the middle of the night when he gets up he weighs less almost always.
He swears that drinking water not only all day (he does). but he drinks before bed..and when he wakes up in the middle of the night, but not past 3 or 4.
He goes to bed and wakes up 1 or 1.5 pounds lighter. He tracks his weight loss here.. and studies the trends.. it is all downward...
He says loss happens routinely when he drinks the water not only during the day but at nighttime.4 -
No magic foods - perhaps just try different macro ratios particularly ensuring at the very least you get your minimum protein and fat intake covered. Fibre is another source of satiety for a lot of people.
As for food addiction (I'm still on the fence if that's a thing - and I say that as someone who suffers with binge eating disorder, I'd say there are compulsions and poor habits rather than addiction when it comes to food), if you eat in response to stress or emotions look at what your triggers are and see what you can do about minimising them, when you can't minimise them look for alternative methods of comfort.
Failing that - professional help/support groups.
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i find peanut butter cups to be magical.
and oreos. but I can eat oreos in moderation, unlike peanut butter cups.17 -
I have this interesting magic combo of eggs and potatoes...for some reason when I eat that combo together for breakfast, I can stay full until almost dinner time, so I eat less during the day.
I tend to think of cottage cheese as a magic food too...fairly low in calories, but a solid protein hit. Good filling snack.
As you see, magic to me = satiating stuff. They help me personally with weight loss in keeping me full for awhile. They don't have any properties that just make pounds fall off though...nothing except a calorie deficit will do that.11 -
Alrighty, I realize science says that we need to exercise and eat less calories but... Are there any kinds of foods that, I dunno, suppress your appetite or help you lose weight or something? Or does anyone have techniques to combat food addiction? I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm desperate and will try about anything at the moment. 😅 Ya girl is breaking down.
In all honesty, I couldn't drive home without stopping for fast food and then when I got home I would make supper for everyone including myself. Once in a while I'd stop and get a whole box of Vachon Carmel squares and skarf it all down, I was addicted to food and more so I think Sugar. For me Keto does exactly what you are asking. Stabilized blood sugar, reduced insulin levels and a high fat diet very quickly allows me to over come my toxic habits, while greatly reducing hunger and often of it's own right allows most people to automatically reduce portion size. Plus I don't find myself falling asleep in at my desk in the middle of the day. So that's good.
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Beans and mushrooms are sometimes magical. JK23
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dragon_girl26 wrote: »I have this interesting magic combo of eggs and potatoes...for some reason when I eat that combo together for breakfast, I can stay full until almost dinner time, so I eat less during the day.
I tend to think of cottage cheese as a magic food too...fairly low in calories, but a solid protein hit. Good filling snack.
As you see, magic to me = satiating stuff. They help me personally with weight loss in keeping me full for awhile. They don't have any properties that just make pounds fall off though...nothing except a calorie deficit will do that.
i don't eat breakfast but have an early lunch. i nearly always have a fried duck egg on avocado toast and EBTB seasoning. Keeps me full till dinner time (usually around 5 pm)
almost never fails if I have something different, I'm ravenous the entire rest of the day.5 -
No magic foods...but eating a higher fiber diet keeps me pretty satiated. Also keeping to a reasonable calorie deficit makes things a whole lot easier. 500 calories per day deficit from my TDEE is pretty easily manageable...it's basically a couple of snacks.7
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Nony_Mouse wrote: »Calorie deficit is what dictates weight loss, and there is no way around that. However, some foods are more satiating than others, and focusing on those will make sticking to your calorie deficit a whole lot easier. A lot of that is very individual, but most people find protein satiating (even if they don't realise it), so start by ensuring you're getting adequate protein. A good goal for that is 0.6-0.8g per lb of goal/ideal weight (if you don't know what that is for you yet, just pick somewhere in the middle of healthy BMI for your height), as a minimum. Focussing on nutrient dense foods, IMHO, also goes a long way towards satiety, so loading up on low cal vege can help, particularly if you're a volume eater. Non-starchy green (and red, and yellow...) things are your friend.
Another thing to keep in mind is setting a realistic weight loss rate. Most people will choose 2lb per week, because we all want it gone yesterday. Unless you have over 100lb to lose though, 2lb per week is too aggressive. Even if you do have a large amount to lose, sometimes slower is better if it means you actually get to where you want to be.
Great advice here. If I don't get enough protein, I can eat and eat and eat foods that are high in carbs and fat and feel nauseated and disgusting before I feel satisfied.
I'm going to add - Fiber. I payed closed attention to my fiber target until I started regularly consuming foods that make me hit it. It really helps keep me fuller longer and for less calories.6 -
Wine - true magic.10
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There is no magic. Just trial and error and consistency. Take one day at a time.5
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Satiety is highly personal, but generally people find some combo of protein, fat, and fiber filling. Take a look back at your food logs and see if you are typically low in any of those. If you are, bringing up the straggler might do the trick. If that doesn't do it, try increasing protein a bit - many if us find the MFP protein goal is a little low.
Its also possible your hunger is psychological. Have you chosen an aggressive weight loss pace? If so you might just be hungry because you really do need to eat more. Have you cut out a lot of your fave foods? A lack of satisfaction in your diet can manifest as hunger, and finding ways to fit in some of those foods might help too.5 -
Caffeine.7
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My magic food for people who want to lose weight fast.........................................balut.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I mean there's no magic bullet but I boil 6+ eggs at once and keep them in the fridge as they make such a great low calorie snack (approx 65 kcal for a medium egg). Eating a couple of those always makes me feel like I've got good value for my calories.3
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Magical macro for me = protein snacks in the evening. At night, the snack monsters haunt me. I wants chips, cookies, ice cream etc.
But carby and fatty things just make me want more. If I have some Greek yogurt, cold cuts, boiled shrimp or even skim milk the snack demons seem happy and stop their haunting.
Also, I noticed- again maybe this is just me- if I eat the protein snack earlier- before the demons come out sometimes they stay away completely.6 -
Any foods that contribute to happy body/mind/soul balance are magical:
Mint tea with valerian root
The aroma of bay leaves
Burned sage
Rosemary oil
But thats a witches opinion
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I read this thread hoping to find a magic bullet! What helps me from binging is protein. I learned this later in life unfortunately. I was a carb addict. Still eat too many carbs but increased my protein. I don't eat meat but I drink a protein shake for the protein.1
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Onedaywriter wrote: »Magical macro for me = protein snacks in the evening. At night, the snack monsters haunt me. I wants chips, cookies, ice cream etc.
But carby and fatty things just make me want more. If I have some Greek yogurt, cold cuts, boiled shrimp or even skim milk the snack demons seem happy and stop their haunting.
Also, I noticed- again maybe this is just me- if I eat the protein snack earlier- before the demons come out sometimes they stay away completely.
Me too
Also, now that I've cut out the high carb foods before bed I am sleeping better, which is magical!
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10819241/how-foods-may-affect-our-sleep5 -
Coffee. Egg Whites.2
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I like volume veg. I eat 40-50 grams of fiber a day mostly from cooked and raw produce. Soups, salads, stir-fries, casseroles . . .
I gotta watch sugar and sweets. Sometimes I can have two Oreos and be fine, but other times, it's like opening Pandora's box and 2 will turn into 12 before I know it.
Gotta get to know your own body and your own head!5 -
12?
Amateur.9 -
For me at the moment it's zucchini noodles. I like to eat fairly big portions, and this really cuts it without breaking the calorie bank.
I cook the noodles on a frying pan, then mix in a tiny bit of grated cheese and a tablespoon of cream cheese (these will melt nicely), season well and I have myself a huge tasty dinner with minimal calories 4 -
Minna_2407 wrote: »For me at the moment it's zucchini noodles. I like to eat fairly big portions, and this really cuts it without breaking the calorie bank.
I cook the noodles on a frying pan, then mix in a tiny bit of grated cheese and a tablespoon of cream cheese (these will melt nicely), season well and I have myself a huge tasty dinner with minimal calories
Do you use frozen noodles or fresh? This sounds good!
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You'll need to experiment and find what foods are magical to you.
I think everyone's magical foods are different. Some find fat satiating; some find protein satiating; for some, it's carbs. Water or coffee may fill you up...or they may make you more hungry.
Water makes me hungry, but hot liquids fill me up. I find shakes and smoothies very filling, but most people don't. Very low carb makes me hungry, but high carb does, too so I like to keep it around 100-130 grams of carbs a day for best satiation. Very low carb satiates most people. Protein fills me up, usually. Sometimes, I use the volumizing approach to eating where I eat large portions of low calorie vegetables and fill in with small portions of fat/protein, but I've learned over the years that just leads to me wanting to overeat all types of foods that aren't low calorie vegetables. Sugar and snacky foods make me hungry and I cannot be trusted to have them in the house so they're not allowed. They trigger me. If I have a big breakfast, I really don't get hungry the rest of the day; If I eat lightly or not at all for breakfast, I'll be ravenous at night no matter what else I ate that day. I do best loading up on calories earlier in the day rather than saving them for a nice dinner. Wine gives me the munchies...I just learned that recently.
Experiment and see what works for you. It may be completely different than what everyone else swears by.
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Wait, what? There are magical foods?0
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I don't think there's such a thing as a truly magic food, but I have found that striking the right balance of protein to carbs and fiber is important.
Like I've found, as an example, that when I bring some eggs and turkey sausage to work for breakfast, I am satisfied. BUT, if I skip the sausage and have my eggs over Wasa crispbread (the multigrain one is something like 5 net carbs per piece), it's satisfying not only to eat but helps me feel fuller, longer, than concentrating on protein/fat alone. But it's also light enough that I don't feel weighed down and it still is less carb-y as a typical piece of bread for the whole meal.
Protein keeps a lot of people feeling fuller longer but I've found I thrive off of a little variety and I've had to get creative with how I add it in without giving into old habits.
It takes a lot of trial and error. I'm just learning as I go!
I keep wholesome snacks on me at all times because so long as I don't get HANGRY, I make good choices. But once I get too hungry, it's so, so tough to come back from. So for me it's less about finding the magic foods, and more about the best way to eat the ones I already have.6 -
Not a magic food, but I always find sunflower seeds in the shell to help with snacking. It's a whole lot of work to get a few seeds and by the time you go through even half a serving you're tired of eating them.
We take them on long car rides because it's minimal amount of calories for snacking in a car versus shoveling handfuls of chips or candy into my mouth.
It's still not calorie free or anything and with determination you can go over on calories, but it works as a much lesser evil for me.2
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