Why am I so hungry?!!

bms34b
bms34b Posts: 401 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
Alright, folks. You can check out my food diary for today - I ate that pasta like an hour ago, maybe an hour and a half. My stomach is growling and I've done nothing but sit on the couch and read! WHY am I so hungry?!?! What in the world should I do about it and also leave room for dinner calories?

Replies

  • wantmorepies
    wantmorepies Posts: 39
    Hi, I wonder if it's with it being gluten free that it's not as filling as regular pasta?
    Try something that really fills you up for breakfast that is slow energy release like porridge
  • tallbold
    tallbold Posts: 89 Member
    Hey! I took a look and maybe a heartier breakfast would help. Like greek yogurt, cottage cheese (if you can do dairy), something with protein, lean meats or an hard boiled egg. I think my diary is open you can take a look if you like.
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    1) You're tracking your food and you're realizing how little amounts of food have so many calories. This can either shock you into radically changing your portions and settling on them (regardless of if you're hungry later or not), or shock you into wanting to eat more because..

    2) You're thinking about your food a lot more. Thinking about food breeds hunger. Biologically we're destined to get hungry if we think about food. It revvs up our digestion because if you think about food, you're likely thinking about it because you are going to get some/able to get some. Remember, the human body is still designed to avoid death or suffering. Eating is one of the ways we combat it: nourishing our cells with nutrients prevents death.

    Possibly one of these two resonates with you. If not, good luck to you! Mix in a scrambled egg, or some tuna next time. It will slow down the absorption of those carbohydrates in your system. Gluten free does not mean starchy carb-free.
  • CharlieBarleyMom
    CharlieBarleyMom Posts: 727 Member
    I like what the artist said -- but I just wanted to say that I had pasta for the first time the other night since embarking on this journey 9 months ago... I found out some time ago that pasta just doesn't fill me up enough to allow the calories for it in my diet.

    If I ate the amount of pasta that would keep me full for a decent amount of time I would either have to run for the rest of the day (no matter what time I ate it) or eat absolutely nothing for the rest of the day.

    As you continue on this lifestyle change you will find things that although you may like them, you don't want to indulge in for lack of "staying" power.

    Now, for right now? Starving? I say eat something... if that means you go over because of what you are already planning to have for dinner, that is the way it will be today. One day over on calories is not going to hurt you... you'll still be below maintenance calories.

    Or - just eat dinner now (I don't know what time it is there) -- and go to bed early if you get hungry later.
  • AlabasterVerve
    AlabasterVerve Posts: 3,171 Member
    Maybe because you were so far under yesterday and all week really going by your diary (assuming you're logging everything)? I've only been tracking my calories for a few weeks now but I've found that I'm hungrier and eat more the day after a lower calorie day without even thinking about it. You're so far under for the week I would eat and not worry about it.
  • ShrinkRapt451
    ShrinkRapt451 Posts: 447 Member
    Looked over your diary for the past couple of weeks and noticed a few things:

    1. You are often pretty far under your calorie allotment. 100+ cals under is a lot, when all you have is 1300. And under 1000 a day is REALLY a lot under.

    2. You tend to make a lot of high-carb choices. Especially pastas, breads, and mochas. These are not items that fill you up for hours; your body burns through them very quickly and leaves you wanting more. You could consider switching to more complex carbs (quinoa, perhaps? Brown rice?) and up your protein.

    3. Gluten free pastas and breads are very calorie dense. (VERY.) If you NEED gluten-free (and based on your other choices, I'd say you don't), better choices are lean fresh proteins and fruits and veggies. Actually, that's a better choice even if you don't need gluten-free, if the issue is how to eat and not be hungry in an hour. Much better calorie distrubution; a 3-4 oz chicken breast or steak and a huge pile of baby greens and veggies with a little dressing and/or some low-fat cheese will satisfy you for hours.

    4. You put an exercise entry in a week or so ago that covered several things and/or days. If you're exercising regularly, you're not logging it. And I doubt that you're eating your exercise calories. Doing so (both logging and eating them, or almost all of them if you think it's an overestimate) might also help.
  • bellawares
    bellawares Posts: 558 Member
    Looked over your diary for the past couple of weeks and noticed a few things:

    1. You are often pretty far under your calorie allotment. 100+ cals under is a lot, when all you have is 1300. And under 1000 a day is REALLY a lot under.

    2. You tend to make a lot of high-carb choices. Especially pastas, breads, and mochas. These are not items that fill you up for hours; your body burns through them very quickly and leaves you wanting more. You could consider switching to more complex carbs (quinoa, perhaps? Brown rice?) and up your protein.

    3. Gluten free pastas and breads are very calorie dense. (VERY.) If you NEED gluten-free (and based on your other choices, I'd say you don't), better choices are lean fresh proteins and fruits and veggies. Actually, that's a better choice even if you don't need gluten-free, if the issue is how to eat and not be hungry in an hour. Much better calorie distrubution; a 3-4 oz chicken breast or steak and a huge pile of baby greens and veggies with a little dressing and/or some low-fat cheese will satisfy you for hours.

    4. You put an exercise entry in a week or so ago that covered several things and/or days. If you're exercising regularly, you're not logging it. And I doubt that you're eating your exercise calories. Doing so (both logging and eating them, or almost all of them if you think it's an overestimate) might also help.

    Totally agree with ShrinkRapt451 :smile:
  • denise_earheart
    denise_earheart Posts: 354
    I've noticed if I eat a veggie omelet with a little cheese and home made salsa and a piece of fruit with it I am full all day.. so stuffed I don't even want lunch... which I know we are supposed to but ... If you are not hungry don't eat.
  • Amy911Gray
    Amy911Gray Posts: 685 Member
    In the beginning I used to be that way...I started eating kosher dill pickles when I was hungry between meals and snacks. They will curb your appetite for about 30 minutes and the ones I have are 0 calories...

    The other thing I do is eat the 100 calorie popcorn. That does fill you up for a while....
  • gregavila
    gregavila Posts: 723 Member
    Looked over your diary for the past couple of weeks and noticed a few things:

    1. You are often pretty far under your calorie allotment. 100+ cals under is a lot, when all you have is 1300. And under 1000 a day is REALLY a lot under.

    2. You tend to make a lot of high-carb choices. Especially pastas, breads, and mochas. These are not items that fill you up for hours; your body burns through them very quickly and leaves you wanting more. You could consider switching to more complex carbs (quinoa, perhaps? Brown rice?) and up your protein.

    3. Gluten free pastas and breads are very calorie dense. (VERY.) If you NEED gluten-free (and based on your other choices, I'd say you don't), better choices are lean fresh proteins and fruits and veggies. Actually, that's a better choice even if you don't need gluten-free, if the issue is how to eat and not be hungry in an hour. Much better calorie distrubution; a 3-4 oz chicken breast or steak and a huge pile of baby greens and veggies with a little dressing and/or some low-fat cheese will satisfy you for hours.

    4. You put an exercise entry in a week or so ago that covered several things and/or days. If you're exercising regularly, you're not logging it. And I doubt that you're eating your exercise calories. Doing so (both logging and eating them, or almost all of them if you think it's an overestimate) might also help.

    I would also agree with all of this. Try working to get more proteins into your diet as it gives you more energy and helps keep you feeling full. Carbs taste good but they wear off more quickly which often leaves you feeling hungry. Also drink more water (half your body weight in ounces) as that will also help curb the hunger.
  • lauehorn
    lauehorn Posts: 183
    I would recommend that you cut back on the pasta and add in some veggies, protein, and a little healthy fat. A more balanced meal will help you stay full much longer (and no, the pasta sauce isn't enough to make it balanced). The pasta alone isn't very nutrient-dense and is high in calories. You'll get more for your calorie-buck by balancing it out.

    Looking back over a few days of your diary, it's great that you are staying at or under your calorie goals, but you should consider making more nutrient-dense food choices all around. Having balanced meals ( good carbs + lean protein + healthy fat) will help you get/stay healthy, lose weight and stay full for much, much longer. It's not just about staying under your calorie goal, but making healthier food choices and learning to eat in moderation and when you are hungry. Skipping meals or having smaller meals to "save" for a big, high calorie meal later is counterproductive to long term success. I like to do the 80/20 method (choose your percentage) where I eat really well 80 percent of the time and don't worry about the 20 percent of indulgences. Just my two cents. Good luck!
  • inlander
    inlander Posts: 339 Member
    More protein!
  • gregpack
    gregpack Posts: 426 Member
    As much as I love my carbs, I find that if I eat fewer carbs weight loss is much easier. Try more protein, fat and fiber in your meals and see if it helps decrease your appetite.
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