If I am hungry between meals, should I drink water instead?

FuneralDiner
FuneralDiner Posts: 438 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I'm pretty terrible for snacking and it's something I want to avoid altogether if I can help it. If I'm hungry, is it safe to just drink water till my next meal?

Replies

  • Madelinew22
    Madelinew22 Posts: 289
    i have 3 meals 300+cals and 3 snacks however they fit in my cals, sometime 100 cal snacks sometimes its another meal. always eat if ur actually hungry
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    If I feel hungry but think I shouldn't be, I'll drink some water first. If I really am hungry, I'll reach for half an apple with almond butter or some cheese, veggies & hummus, or homemade popcorn (I pop it in my microwave in a brown paper bag & top with coconut oil).
  • Gizziemoto
    Gizziemoto Posts: 430 Member
    While water does help you feel full if you feel hungry then I would recommend eating. Personally if I did not have a small snack (eat 5 times a day myself) I go on an full scale binder. I just started doing this and find that I have more energy too. I also invested in one of those freezeable lunch bags so my food is always at my desk. Actually going to upsize soon to bigger one.

    May I ask why you say that you terrible at snacking? Do you go overboard or just hit the vending machine?
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    There is no need to starve yourself. If you are hungry and have enough calories to fit in a healthy snack then go for it! If you're hungry but a snack or two would put you over at the end of the day then perhaps your calorie limit is set to low?? Or you're making high calorie choices with your main meals that are not substantially fulfilling?
  • Living4Liz2012
    Living4Liz2012 Posts: 312
    Yeah you can drink water, but I say grab a small snack:)
  • FuneralDiner
    FuneralDiner Posts: 438 Member
    May I ask why you say that you terrible at snacking? Do you go overboard or just hit the vending machine?
    I am a comfort eater and once I start eating, it's very difficult for me to stop! My snacks tend to be on the healthy side, but as you put it, I just go overboard.
  • susiebear29
    susiebear29 Posts: 266
    Eat something if you are hungry, try to pick the healthiest option you can and not too high in sugar to maintain your blood glucose levels, I eat 3 meals a day, a snack at about 11am and another one at about 4pm otherwise I am grumpy when im hungry!!! :mad:
  • recoiljpr
    recoiljpr Posts: 292
    I was the same way. That's why I split my eating into 5 meals. My diary is open to all, so feel free to take a look at it. I've found since i've been eating something every few hours my hunger is pretty much totally non-existent.
  • irisheyez718
    irisheyez718 Posts: 677 Member
    Sorry, but you don't think it would be even worse if you let yourself get that hungry and still don't eat? I just think if I did that, by the time meal time came, I would have a hard time not stuffing myself.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    May I ask why you say that you terrible at snacking? Do you go overboard or just hit the vending machine?
    I am a comfort eater and once I start eating, it's very difficult for me to stop! My snacks tend to be on the healthy side, but as you put it, I just go overboard.


    Well....the key is making this program work is learning discipline and moderation. Starving yourself is not a sustainable diet and you set yourself up to fail. Eat an apple for godsakes!!
  • Jishmeister
    Jishmeister Posts: 108
    Snacking isn't bad, just do it in moderation. I tend to have 3 meals with 2 snacks in between, and if I'm hungry late at night, I'll have a 3rd snack. My snacks are usually fruits or a salad or pretzels, anything small that will hold you over until the next meal.

    In the past, I was some what of an emotional eater, I used to eat when stressed or depressed, and that's how I gained all my weight. However, now I have much more control and I think part of it is due to exercising and being really motivated to lose all this weight.

    I find it easiest to get a small dish, fill it with the snack, and then put the snack box/container away. If you eat your snack right out of the box, then there is no stopping (at least with me that's how it was because I literally had no control and could easily down an entire box of snacks). The trick is putting a controlled portion in a small dish and putting the rest away.
  • stephanieb72
    stephanieb72 Posts: 390 Member
    I wondered the same thing and found this website intresting...
    http://www.sharecare.com/question/why-important-feel-hungry-sometimes
  • amyram
    amyram Posts: 108 Member
    If your hungry between meals do some cardio to earn extra calories that you can eat guilt free. That's how I end up with a full belly at the end of the day, and your to busy to keep your face in the cookie jar. :happy:
  • Jishmeister
    Jishmeister Posts: 108
    I was the same way. That's why I split my eating into 5 meals. My diary is open to all, so feel free to take a look at it. I've found since i've been eating something every few hours my hunger is pretty much totally non-existent.

    Yes exactly, me too.

    As long as you eat 5-6 small meals, you'll see a big difference. I've also noticed that exercising has made a big difference on my appetite. And by exercising I mean walking. My knees are really bad so running is hard, I think when I'm lighter, it'll be easier. Until then I walk outside. And it works, I've been able to lose 2 pounds a week for the past couple weeks.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Safe? Depends on where the water is coming from. I would advise not to lap it out of the urinal stall in a downtown nightclub.
  • FuneralDiner
    FuneralDiner Posts: 438 Member
    Safe? Depends on where the water is coming from. I would advise not to lap it out of the urinal stall in a downtown nightclub.
    Yeah, think that's where I've been going wrong.

    Too much Fallout 3.
  • amyram
    amyram Posts: 108 Member
    Safe? Depends on where the water is coming from. I would advise not to lap it out of the urinal stall in a downtown nightclub.
    Now that is good advice. :laugh:
  • Gizziemoto
    Gizziemoto Posts: 430 Member
    Urinals are a definet no-no. LOL.

    Can't see your diary so don't know your calories. I would consider starting with small steps like buying buy serving size bags of carrots and those 100 calorie snack packs work great too.

    sorry I do not know what you do for a living so cannot offer any advice on how to accomplish this.

    If you are totally against eating snacks, then maybe add something to the water like lemon or those pre-packaged dry powders, or changing it to green tea? I know you want to loose weight as do I. I am learning patience and portion control right now. I have only lost 3lbs in a month but that is better than nothing and I am not straving either.

    Just some suggestions if you would like to try one of them. Starting small is how I did it. Breakfast was a huge step. I never ate it before.

    Good luck!!!!!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories