hungry!

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  • I don't know what is going on with me the past few days! I have a constant hungry feeling, even after a big meal.
    This morning I had a big breakfast which I listed in the other thread...2 eggs, 1/2 slice of toast, turkey bacon, v8 and coffee. I am guessing that was well over 300 calories! That did hold me over pretty well until lunch but now I've had lunch about 45 minutes ago and I am still starving! I had a big salad (2 cups of nice greens, not iceberg or romaine) with sauteed mushrooms and chicken and about a cup of cucumbers/tomatoes and 2 Tbs dressing. I am trying hard to wait for my snack, but I have been starving since the last bite of my salad.
    On the up side, I am trying to force water to hold off the hunger and have gotten at least 2 cups more than a usual full day, so at least I am meeting my water goal for the day!
  • Salad is flimsy, honey. Where's the beef? I've not had a salad since being on SBD. I just ate beans and it was delicious. I am pleasantly full. I won't eat again till dinner and will be alright.
  • Beans
    I agree, when I eat beans they are filling. This is only day two, but I had them for lunch and I am full. Give that a try with a side salad.
  • I try to toss 2 Tbs. beans on my salads. Also make sure your protein on your salad is adequate. I usually have a couple 3 oz of meat/fish and save my RF cheese stick for a snack a few hours later. I also eat 1 cup of plain Greek fat yogurt with my lunch. And I eat a huge salad, way more than 2 cups.
  • I had a pretty decent serving of chicken on my salad though. In the past, that has been enough to keep me happy for a couple hours.
    I'll try experimenting with beans. They are not my favorite thing in the world.
  • Also remember that changing your diet can screw with your GI system. I had a constant hungry feeling right after I was eating-- turns out it was acid indigestion and gas, mixed together. Yay.
    Try taking a digestive aid like beano with each veggie meal, and a prilosec or other OTC acid reducer. Turns out I've been mistaking acid reflux for hunger for YEARS.
  • Hmmm, I guess it could be acid reflux because I just don't see HOW it could be real hunger. Less than an hour ago I had a full 8 oz cup of plain lowfat yogurt, with fresh berries, a tsp of walnuts and a pinch of fiber one and I am still feeling that hungry feeling. I'm up to 734 calories for the day already and I still have to fit in dinner and dessert!
    I guess I need to chill out. I am driving myself nuts today!
  • How low are you keeping your calories? Remember they can be higher now than they will be when you get closer to goal (though we don't focus on calories here. Your comment made me wonder if yours are too low for your body right now though)

    I'm also wondering if this hunger is new and might have something to do with the toast in the morning? That was my reaction to grain at breakfast early on. Maybe try no grain in the morning tomorrow and see of that's better? You shouldn't be hungry and if you really are I'd suggest food - maybe a broth based vegetable soup or so crunchy veggies and a couple of Ts of hummus?

    Quote: Hmmm, I guess it could be acid reflux because I just don't see HOW it could be real hunger. Less than an hour ago I had a full 8 oz cup of plain lowfat yogurt, with fresh berries, a tsp of walnuts and a pinch of fiber one and I am still feeling that hungry feeling. I'm up to 734 calories for the day already and I still have to fit in dinner and dessert!
    I guess I need to chill out. I am driving myself nuts today!
  • I am trying to keep the calories between 1000 and 1200. Closer to 1000 makes me more comfortable but I usually go a little over 1100. I haven't figured in dinner yet, and haven't had dessert. I know we are not supposed to keep track of calories so much, but I find it so hard to stop. :-D

    I was afraid someone was going to tell me to give up my morning bread. :-( It's such a small slice and it makes me so very happy. I think I will cry if that turns out to be the problem. The only reason I didn't jump right to that was because I didn't have any problems at all the first few days I added it. The hungry feeling started when I tried having cereal for breakfast so I thought today's big breakfast with eggs and everything would fix it. I guess I will give it a shot tomorrow morning and see if no bread w/breakfast helps.
  • So this is my opinion, obviously you need to decide what works for you. I think your calories are way too low and am not surprised you are hungry. If you are also exercising this does concern me even more. 1200 should be the very low end and only when your weight is down and close to goal. You're not getting enough food right now and you have no where to go when you hit a plateau and need to cut something.

    As far as the bread skip it for a week then try a half slice. Maybe the cereal was the real culprit and you just need a short break before you try again. I assume you checked the bread ingredients carefully for any hidden sugars that could be causing trouble?

    I can't remember how you feel about vegetables, but how about making a pot of vegetable soup that you can eat when you feel hungry ? Just fat free or low fat (and sugar free!) broth with lots of veggies. I like a spoonful of chilies or salsa but I'm a spice fiend. It's filling and satisfying.
  • Are you drinking lots of water? I found that to be my problem. I was mistaking thirst for hunger. I've been tracking everything I eat and was realizing I was eating quite a bit...at least I thought so anyway...even though everything was OP, it still seemed like a lot. I went back through my journal and realized there were days that I wasn't drinking one single drop of WATER!! ACK!!! The past two weeks I've had AT LEAST 64 oz of water everyday...and I haven't felt the need or urge to eat nearly as much as I was in the beginning. So...if you're not drinking enough water everyday, maybe that's something to try as well.
  • Quote: I am trying to keep the calories between 1000 and 1200. Closer to 1000 makes me more comfortable but I usually go a little over 1100. I haven't figured in dinner yet, and haven't had dessert. I know we are not supposed to keep track of calories so much, but I find it so hard to stop. :-D
    Way too low on calories. I know it's hard but I would try not counting for a week and see what happens. I used to do WW and counted calories and points for years, so it was really scary to give that up. But I am sure glad I did. The few times I have calculated what I eat, it comes up around 1500-1700 calories, so IMO you really need to eat more calories.
  • Don't count calories for a few days and see if it changes. Make sure you eat some beans too! How about a V8 with breakfast or lunch -- they ALWAYS make me full!
  • Yes, your calories are way too low. If your calories are too low you won't lose. If you are exercising and at your weight I calculated you should be eating 1500 calories each day and if you do this you would lose 2lbs. per week. Add in more protein, a little more fat and see if you can keep the toast in the am. Good luck.
  • I am not exercising (I mean to but it just hasn't happened yet!) I will have to see if I can find a calculator for my calorie requirements. I might have a panic attack if I have to regularly go over 1200! :-D Today came out a little over and I am worried! Definitely avoiding the scale tomorrow!

    I had a good dinner and dessert and feel a little better now. Trying to push the water because I know I have not been getting near enough.

    Thanks for all the advice and support!! You guys are awesome and I am SO glad I found this place!