Always Hungry

I never really thought much about food until I needed to lose a few inches.. Now I'm always thinking about it and I can't seem to get it off my mind!

For a while I was being very careful, and basically only eating cereal, salad, an apple and a small dinner every day. After learning that going under 1200 calories can be dangerous or slow down your metabolism, I stopped.

But now I'm kind of at the other exteme.. I can't stop eating!! I'll eat, and I don't feel a difference in my hunger. Sometimes eating actually makes me feel more hungry!! It's so annoying.. I think it must be just a little game my mind's playing on me, but I can't get it to stop!!

Anyone else had this problem? What should I do?

i have this problem!!! Sometimes I'll drink a lot of water, or make tea and it helps. but remember to listen to your body-- if you really are hungry, dont starve yourself! :]

oh, I also find eating a huge breakfast helps curb hunger throughout the day.

Trying to tell the difference between your body actually feeling hungry and your mind craving food is tricky. If you're not certain which one keeps bothering you, first I'd make sure you're taking in enough energy by diligently figuring out how many calories you burn and how many you need to consume. Once you have that figure, I suggest making a meal plan. The recommendation is to eat every 2 to 3 hours, you'll find which one works for you if you listen to your body for a couple of days.

Once you have a schedule for when you're going to eat and how much and you know you're feeding yourself enough to avoid starving, you might find it easier to take your mind off food in between meals. For example my typical day might look something like this:

• 7-8 am Breakfast (around 400 cals)
• 10-11 am lunch (300)
  
• 1 pm snack (50-150)
• 3-4 pm snack (250)
• 6-7 pm dinner (250)
• 9-10 light snack (50-100)
  

I can be the same way, and I'm definitely that way today.  I just made myself some green tea and I'm waiting for it to cool down now -- if this doesn't work, I'm afraid I might scarf down the two Greek yogurts and entire box of Kashi oatmeal I stash at work...

"Sometimes eating actually makes me feel more hungry!!"

I had this problem too-have you been checked for ulcers and/or level of stomach acid? I actually found out it had more to do with that than food.

I have a family history of it (apparently it is partly hereditary). Of having too much stomach acid. As much as I loathe medicine, there is a way to lower the levels both through medicine AND educating one's self on when/how much/and what to eat that all affect production of acid.

Have you been checked out by a doc for this? If not, it may be something you want to explore.   It's only a simple blood test.  I only had to take medication for a month to get the levels down, and then it was a case of teaching myself how to eat to avoid having my stomach try to eat itself! (smaller portions, more frequently, avoiding lots of spicy or high acid foods). It's really not as difficult as all that might seem and if it wards off an ulcer, it's well worth it!

You're already watching what you eat and that's very commendable!! Way to go! whatever07 is right-no need to starve yourself.

If you find high levels of acid aren't to blame, you're already on the road to figuring it out.

best of luck!

EVALINA- i agree to eat every few hrs, but that doesnt seem like enough cals what you listed?

I have the same problem.  In my younger years when I was very active, I was never hungry and did not have a weight problem  With age, I gained weight and when I began to diet, I was always hungry.  I have found two solutions to the problem.  When I am hungry, I engage in physical activity or I meditate (taking a nap works as well) and the hunger goes away.

I am lucky that I like most all vegetables and legumes and grains. I love chick peas (garbanzo beans) and that stuff is filling. You can eat enormous amounts of vegetables with some legumes and grains mixed in and always feel full. I try to stay away from processed foods. I have some medical problems that made me start this path and sodium is a big concern for me as well as fiber. I worry about what people are doing to theirself with some of the substitute processed foodstuff that is low in fiber and high in sodium. I can share recipes if you want to try some. I use olive oil in most of my dishes and loads of garlic and onions too.

I am lucky that I like most all vegetables and legumes and grains. I love chick peas (garbanzo beans) and that stuff is filling. You can eat enormous amounts of vegetables with some legumes and grains mixed in and always feel full. I try to stay away from processed foods. I have some medical problems that made me start this path and sodium is a big concern for me as well as fiber. I worry about what people are doing to theirself with some of the substitute processed foodstuff that is low in fiber and high in sodium. I can share recipes if you want to try some. I use olive oil in most of my dishes and loads of garlic and onions too.