Should I ever feel hunger?

Swap out your sugar and carb-laden snacks for higher-protein stuff like Greek yogurt and nuts. That'll fix ya.

Why is feeling hunger a bad thing?

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if I should be feeling hunger pangs. I eat my calories and don't usually go over. I have breakfast, lunch, and dinner which are all relatively healthy (slowly,but surely making the transition), but I still feel hungry in between meals. I feel hungry in between breakfast and lunch, in between lunch and dinner, and after my workouts (right before bed). Any advice? It's been a looooooong time since I felt hunger pangs and heard a growling stomach.

Thanks,

P,S.- I do have snacks in between meals (wheat things, special k bars) on occasion, but that's not really satiating me.

I am of the opinion that I cannot expect to cut down on my calories, go on a diet, exercise regularly and not expect to feel hungry now and again.

However, you should not permanently feel hungry, up your protein, do not eat empty calories as these will not be filling but just an intake of (usually large) calories - they are a waste of calories for people that are on a set amount each day.

I agree with the previous comment. Whenever I feel really hungry I drink two large glasses of cold water and eat something like 2 tablespoons of raw almonds or if I'm craving something sweet I'll have 1/4 cup of dried fruit like cherries, dates, prunes, etc. The fiber in the fruit keeps me fuller longer.

I'm probably going out on a limb here, but maybe you're not eating enough? Or maybe you're eating too much carby not enough proteiny/good fatty stuff?

Yes and no. Your hunger is the only cue you get for when your body needs fuel. But, a little hunger on a diet, especially early, is to be expected. Load up on healthy sources of protein early in the day. It will help keep you fuller. Also, eat lots of fiber! With all that fiber to chew on, you won't get as hungry also.

Starving = bad, could use a bite = ok. Never go hungry for long. I always end up binging if I don't eat when I'm hungry!

Not sure what you are eating but try to get more protein in your diet and that will help alot. If you are consuming alot of sugar filled foods try to cut back on those as well. Water also helps make you feel full. I drink at least 4 24 oz bottles a day and it helps alot.

I read if you feel hunger in between meals drink a glass of water and wait a few minutes and if you still feel hunger after then you should have something small

What everyone else said. But I'd also recommend having something after your workout; if you're hungry after that, you should definitely get some protein so your body has fuel to rebuild, recover and get better. Protein shake, chocolate milk, and yogurt are some good post workout options.

Swap out your sugar and carb-laden snacks for higher-protein stuff like Greek yogurt and nuts. That'll fix ya.

I totally agree. As far as snacks go, cereal bars and crackers are pretty poor choices for keeping you satiated. I like yogurt, handful of nuts, Mini Babybell Light cheese, peanut butter with celery, veg and hummus...all keep me going until the next meal.

I find if I eat porridge\oatmeal for breakfast and home made soup with chick peas in at dinner I never feel hungry. As well as lots of water. Soup strangely enough takes longer to digest than solids. They proved it on this programme with soldiers. Half ate a solid meal and half ate the exact same thing blended. When the solif food soldiers bellies were empty a scan showed the soldiers who had blended their food still had food in their tummy and felt fuller. I tested the theory and it really works. I rarely eat anything other than home made soup for dinner as it keeps me so full. I load it with chick peas and lentils. At 189 cals and 2g of fat its ace.
1. Roast tomatoes and onions with some garlic.
2. Whilst its roasting toast some cumin seeds and chilli flakes in a large pan. Add chopped tomatoes, red lentils, knorr stock pot and seasoning. Should be spicy, salty from the stock also. Add water. Allow to cook.
3. Tip caramelised veg into the pan and let it simmer together, then blitz. Add herbs of your choice and plenty of chick peas.

I make a huge batch that does my partner and I dinner for the whole week. I also do a delicious variation where you:
1. Roast tomatoes, lots of red pepper and onion in balsamic vinegar.
2. Stock pots and chopped tomatoes with lots of mixed herbs in a pan. Add brown sauce or worcestershire sauce.
3. Add caramelised veg and balsamic vinegar and blitz. Add chickpeas and cook through. Mini pasta shells optional for both. This soup is beautiful and is a winner with everyone who tries it. It rolls in at 150 cals per serving.

Really really works for me, and if I'm really hungry I have a extra bowl if I've exercised, because for the calories you can!

Good luck... Hope this helps x

When I get hongry I was trying the water thing but for me, putting a lot of water on a empty stomach makes me queasy. So I started drinking Coke Zero instead and it seems to work better for me.

I eat 4-5 smaller meals a day because of this issue!

for me anyway, it doesn't matter WHAT I eat or even HOW MUCH I eat - it's how often that leaves me satisfied.

It is not dangerous to feel hunger....but you need to be aware of where you are on your hunger scale....you can find an example of a hunger scale here.

http://healthiestregards.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/hunger-scale.jpg

This may be of help to you - to others it may seem like a load of rubbish, but take a look at it and use it if it makes sense to you.