Hungry, or just convinced I am hungry?

[Lawz2811]

So I am 2 weeks in and I feel hungry all the time, but I don’t think I actually am hungry. I think I just subconsciously feel hungry because I know I am eating less food. Does anyone else have the same problem?

[Hidden]

Hi Lawz2811

Are you calorie counting at all? And if so - are you eating within a recommended calorie range?

If you are feeling hungry you could not be eating enough or not eating the right things but without knowing what you are eating daily and what your calorie range is it's hard to advise.

[Lawz2811 in reply to Hidden]

Hiya, I am calorie counting. I am eating between 1500-1600 calories a day, which in theory should be enough!

[Hidden in reply to Lawz2811]

I would agree with creativesquirrel and Hidden on the water but it seems you are already drinking quite a bit

Also - try adding some healthier fats into your meal plans. Things like full fat yogurt, nuts, peanut butter, a bit of cheese - all things that might help you feel fuller.

I also find having 3 balanced meals helps stave off hunger. If you have 1600 cals to play with, try having 400-500 at breakfast and 600 at lunch and 600 at dinner.

Evenly allocating your calories during the day could stop hunger striking at certain times - (ie getting hungry at 10.30am because you haven't had much for breakfast or feeling hungry after your dinner because you've not had a filling one!)

[Lawz2811 in reply to Hidden]

Yer I think maybe I need more healthy fats. I had granola with skimmed milk for breakfast which is 522 calories, which is why I think the hunger might be in my head. I have eaten the same granola for years and not got hungry. The only thing I am doing differently is having a smaller amount!

Maybe I need to scrap granola and have something else??????

[Hidden in reply to Lawz2811]

It depends on how much time you have in a morning for breakfast!

I quite like mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes and scrambled egg for a breakfast.

Using 2 large eggs and 2 rashers of bacon - this breakfast comes in between 400-500 cals (without bread) and is a filling start to a morning.

Even just mushrooms or scrambled egg on some wholemeal toast and a little butter would come in around the same cals

Overnight oats with peanut butter is another go to for me as it's easy to do and has the peanut butter as a healthy fat which helps keep you fuller.

These are just breakfasts I use myself during the week and it's rare I feel hungry before lunch. If for any reason I do, I will have a piece of fruit around 10.30am but I have to say its probably once a week I do that (max twice) and usually if I haven't had a proper breakfast!

[Lawz2811 in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately I am rather tied for time in the morning but the overnight oats sound good. Do you have a recipe for them? I have tried them before but it didn’t go to well...maybe it was a bad recipe

[Hidden in reply to Lawz2811]

I literally just make mine by putting oats / milk in a tub and putting them in the fridge overnight. Then in a morning ill stir in 2 heap tsp's of peanut butter through it.

There are plenty of other ways to make it but this is just the easiest for me!

[creativesquirrel]

I would definitely ensure that you are eating enough calories! It isn't about how much you eat (to an extent) but what you actually eat! I have learnt that I don't need to diet to lose weight, just eat better

Also, I find that drinking a lot helps with the hunger. I did once read somewhere that sometimes your hunger can be thirst so maybe try have a drink when you're feeling hungry?

[Hidden]

Drink water if you feel like that. Fills your belly up a bit.

[Lawz2811 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I have already had half a litre of water and a cup of tea! Might try a herbal tea next 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Lawz2811]

Good idea.. What flavour will you try.?

[Lawz2811 in reply to Hidden]

I have gone for strawberry and raspberry

[Hidden in reply to Lawz2811]

That sounds good.. I might try one myself.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Hidden]

Hi and welcome, jimmyjimmy

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[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Why not post your menus on the daily diary and we'll be able to offer more informed advice. healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh....

If you've removed the fat from your diet, you will feel hungry, as we need fat for satiety, amongst other health benefits.

What is your calorie range, according to the NHS BMI calculator? nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-we...

[Lawz2811 in reply to moreless]

The calculator recommends 1727 to 222 calories a day...but I have been eating 1500 a day for nearly two weeks and not lost any weight (doing 2 hours exercise a week) so if I increase my calories I’ll have no hope of losing.

I’ll try putting my menus on the daily diary, thanks 🙂

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Lawz2811]

You're not losing weight and feeling hungry, because you're not eating enough! You should be eating about 2,000 calories a day. It's a myth to think that the less you eat, the more you'll lose. Have a look at this, for further explanation healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Hidden in reply to moreless]

moreless is 100% correct. When you answered me earlier I thought you meant your recommended range was 1500-1600. If its 1727-2220 then you need to be eating around 1900-2000 really.

No wonder you have been feeling hungry!!

I know it may seem odd - being told to eat more to lose weight but it does work - as long as those extra cals you now have to add are used wisely!

[Lawz2811 in reply to moreless]

Ok, you have convinced me! I am upping the calories. 🙂 thanks everyone, I am feeling more positive now!!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Lawz2811]

Excellent news!

[Craftyperson]

Try having a glass of water wait 20 mins then see if full or still hungry. Your brain can't distinguish difference between hunger and thirst. Also it takes 20 mins for your brain to acknowledge full so eat slowly and again wait 20 mins before having anything else ie dessert I have a glass of water with every meal which helps me feel fuller