I never thought I craved food until I realised I was overweight but now that I’m calorie counting, it’s all I can think about. I’m not even hungry most of the time but then I see or think of something and suddenly I want it.
I’ve made some switches like buying Fibre One brownie bars (which are sooo good and super filling so if you crave chocolate, I’d thoroughly recommend as a starting point) and having carrots as a first option, but I can’t get over the fact that I crave foods even when I’m not hungry. It’s just the thought or sight of them that triggers me.
What are some tips to help make better choices? I should point out that I’m picky about foods so most things like bananas, nuts, etc. I usually don’t like due to texture (or sometimes purely taste) but anything you’ve found helpful is a great starting point!
This is a well-documented effect of "eating fewer calories", and it's why I regularly rail against it. See here for a summary (I would urge anyone contemplating caloric restriction to read this):
Bear in mind that becoming overweight is mostly about what you eat, not how much you eat. If you get the first aspect right, the second will follow naturally. That is, your appetite will start working properly again.
Briefly, you need to be filling your plate with vegetables and adding meat/eggs/dairy products to taste. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. You don't need to subsist on carrots and bananas: only when your body feels secure in its food supply will it start to discard bodyfat. But you do need to make sure your meals are full of good, wholesome ingredients, and not processed rubbish. In particular, avoid anything "low in fat", which usually means "high in sugar and chemicals". It's an unfortunate fact that most of the packaged "convenience" foods on the supermarket shelves are trash that will make you fat. Home-cooked is the way to go.
This might involve "retraining" your tastes. For example I used to dislike avocados, but after a bit of practice I now like them a lot (especially in guacamole). Same sort of thing with olives, and crispy bacon.
Incidentally ... those "guilt-free" treats are as fattening as anything else, and they're basically just a cynical marketing scam.
If fibre is your aim, raspberries and blackberries would be a better choice, especially served with some cream and if chocolate is your thing, then have a couple of squares of high cocoa content chocolate (85%)
It's a psychological response that everyone has. For example if you were told you mustn't think of a big green elephant in sunglasses, what happens?!
You need to put your attention/focus on what you do want, rather than what you don't. For me this involves telling myself i CAN have the pizza, chocolate, wine, cake whatever, but I'm CHOOSING not to. I'm trying to love and respect myself enough to give my body nutritious healthy food, and the fact that i feel better on it makes me feel mentally stronger.
I'm also increasingly wary of processed foods: they're literally made to make us want to eat more of them. Whether we're actually hungry or not. And I've made the decision that for the most part, I'm not going to be a slave to it. I actually enjoy cooking meals from scratch now! Something i never imagined, and seldom have food cravings (except for alcohol but that's another story! 😳).
Good luck! Remember you don't need willpower (that never works long term), you need self-love, self-respect and creative thinking! You've got this! 🧡
Lovely reply, you literally took the words out of my mouth 😊
Another point for Hidden is to ensure you’re allowing yourself enough to eat by checking your calorie target on the NHS BMI checker so that you’re never hungry.
Remember, it takes time to change habits, snacking, wanting a ‘dessert’ etc all take time to eliminate, but remember that practice makes perfect.
Lastly, use the Daily Diary, there’s loads of support and help with food choices there 😊
I wish I had an answer for you, in the last 5 weeks I have had two days when I have been completely full and craved something sweet, I have been good and just had water, not much help sorry. I had one day where I felt hungry and just had water again, I think it helped, I went to bed in the end, so difficult to say. If you like peppers you could try slicing them and eating a few thin sticks, hopefully others might have some good suggestions. I'm hoping if I don't give into any cravings eventually they will lessen over time, although I'm not sure I believe it.
The trouble with calorie counting is that you feel that you're starving yourself and then it's harder to resist cravings. If you eat low carb you can eat until you're satisfied. Another problem with high carb foods is that they mess with your hunger hormones, so you get stronger hunger pangs and you don't get the' full' message until later, so you tend to eat more. Try to stay away from the foods with added sugar, bread ad fruit juice.
All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.
We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.
Sometimes when I crave foods I'm not hungry. I'm bored. Or trying to avoid doing something else. Or thirsty. Or stressed. Or feeling sluggish from not being active.
The craving doesn't have to be about food. It can be a distraction from life.
For me, the way to stop craving sugary things is to make sure I’m eating plenty of the healthy stuff even if I lose a bit more slowly as a result- then just to keep off sugar or sugar substitutes altogether. Go totally cold turkey. Sugar gives you a big old sugar high, then a sugar slump that leaves you wanting more. If you don’t eat it you’ll stop wanting it. You can have the odd sweet treat again when you’re where you want to be. Good luck!
I think you need to ask yourself why you want to lose weight and what you consider important. I ate lots of chocolate and other sweet foods. I love crisps and salted nuts.
One of things that helped me to overcome cravings was looking at my body shape in the mirror.
Another was how tired I was feeling all th time so every thing felt an effort. Struggling to climb out of a chair not feeling like doing anything was also a motivation. I was also taking medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I had high sugar levels in my blood. I was at risk of developing diabetes.
Now I fit into all my clothes. My blood sugar level is normal as is the level of cholesterol in my blood. I rarely eat high carb foods and now don't crave them I don't count calories I eat protein fats and predominantly low carb vegetables and fruits. I use intermittent fasting when weight loss is sluggish.
I enjoy feeling hungry sometimes because the chemical signals tell me my body will now have to burn fat. I am trying really hard to cut out wine and shorts. I've stopped drinking lager and beer. I've lost nearly two stone in three months. I've taken up cycling again which was a real effort at first. I now cycle three hours most days when I can fit it in . This will be my way of eating long term. I've not gone on a diet I've changed my diet. If I'm hungry sometimes I'll drink water and distract myself by keeping busy.
Good luck Simply_Being_Me it's not easy. I take one day at a time and some times I weaken and put a few pounds on which then I have to work at to get off. In my opinion the long term health benefits well out weigh any sacrifices I have made. You can give yourself little treats though as a reward. I wish you every success.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
How many calories on the NHS diet plan?
A couple of things that are working for me....
Cravings will pass
Where do I start!!?!
How to stop cravings and succeed in your weight loss plan
