Can't stop eating!!

I am at a loss!  I work at a computer all day, so sitting on my butt.  I eat a good breakfast, usually yogurt, 1/2 a bagel; raisin bran, fruit...........but by lunch time I feel like I'm starving!!!  I'll eat everything in site and still want more.  I tend to eat up most of my calories at lunch, then by dinner I'm stuck.  Does anyone have any ideas as to what I could do differently??  I'm also trying to eat more protein and less carbs.  Someone help me please!!

I suggest you add a 10:00 snack. Something to help keep your blood sugar level until lunch. Maybe Celery with Peanut Butter, or eat the Yogurt and Fruit then and just have the bagel and raisin bran for actual breakfast...

I also suggest a 2:00 - 3:00 snack between lunch and dinner.

where's your protein in your breakfast?!?! if your yogurt is not sugar free and your bagel isn't whole grain.. you are so totally setting yourself up to be starving at lunchtime! 

simple sugars make you feel hungry.. protein and whole grains make you feel full.. it's that simple

i'd replace your bagel and yogurt with some protein.. any kind.. but i'd keep the rasin bran (if it's whole grain kind) and the fruit is good..

also.. snacks.. why aren't you eating snacks?  most people feel less hunger pains when they eat 3 bigger meals and 3 snacks a day.. break down your calories to account for that.. it'll make a HUGE difference. 

So the yogurt is typically Yoplait Light, and the bagel is a whole wheat.  And of course the Raisin Bran is whole wheat.  I thought I was doing the right things, but it just seems like I still go over.  I'm on a 1200 calorie plan (per doctor) cause my weight is causing me back pain problems. What else can I eat that is full of protein to help me through the day???

Eggs, Protein Bars/Powder, Beef  or Turkey Jerky, Fat Free Cheese, Fish, Lean Meats...

like HK said.. egg whites are your friend.. make some hard boiled eggs (enough for a few days), store them in your frige.. that way they are on hand and convienent..

whole grain stuff is good.. but you also need protein.. :)  i swear i can tell a difference between my 200 calories of raisin bran and days i have egg whites .. i stay fuller longer.. it's wonderful.. :) 

sukisas what always helped me get through those terrible snacking binges were a handful of nuts. Almonds and always drink water when you are snacking! It will fill up that tummy and will also tell your body if you are truly hungry or not! Best of luck, you can do it! Just pick the right things to snack on and you'll make it :)

If vending machines are your problem. I would always leave all my 1's and change in the car so I can't buy anything from a vending machine therefore I have to eat my fresh fruits/veggies/nuts.

Luna bars are a great source of protein and only 180 calories. Plus they curb any sweet tooth!

Deli thin turkey, Healthy Choice. The calorie counter here lists it as 60 calories for 4 slices, but I think it's actually 7 slices for the 60 calories (will check later tonight). Not a lot of calorie expenditure for a good source of protein for a 10 AM snack.

Also, this week, I've tried the Special K High Protein cereal, and that is pretty filling. I usually eat 1.25 cups of cereal, but had to cut this back to 1 cup because 1.25 was just too much!

OK so check out today:

Breakfast:  6oz strawberry smoothie-81cals. (at 6am), coffee w/splenda & 2% milk-42cals, Raisin Bran & 2% milk-232cals.

snack:  cinnamon applesauce-194cals.

Lunch: Refried Vegetarian Beans (1/2 cup) 100cals, ground Turkey w/salsa-231cals., 1/2 cup sliced cucumber w/spritz of Italian dressing 18cals.

snack:  1/2 Powerbar Harvest Wholegrain-120cals.

So this puts me at 1016 cals already!!  That leaves me less than 200 cals for dinner!

You might want to try ditching the applesauce and going with an apple.  I dunno if your applesauce has sugar in it, but my fave is applesauce with cinnamon and sugar, so just a thought.

For dinner have a big salad with some protein and a light dressing.  I find that something like that really fills me up and tastes really nice.  Or soup.  Soup really fills you up and darnit, doesn't that sound good.  I think I know what I'm having for dinner tonight.

little things I guess..

switching from 2% to skim milk

applesauce has a lot of calories for one little snack, 

3 apples=180 calories.

maybe try having some fruit intead of the sauce?

hmm dinner idea

salmon filet and  1/2 cup mixed beans (yellow, green)

I had that for dinner last night.  only around 200 cals total

I added some brown sugar on top of my salmon when I baked it in the oven, delicious!!

lots of protein and very low fat too!

Wow, a 1200 cal diet? That is too unreasonable but if you need any help try taking a look at this site.

http://www.changingshape.com/dietandnutrition /mealplans/plans/1343.asp

Its a 1300 cal diet program which I tried and lost 2lbs in my first week. Hope it helps :)

I'm not sure what applesauce you are eating, but I found that the unsweetened applesauce cups have 50 calories.

Well, all I have come up with for myself is to find stuff that will really make me full in smaller portions.  I've found that beans, apples, oatmeal, and anything extremely fibrous helps me out.  Milk is good as well.  Also, one of my struggles is that on a bad day, if I'm even slightly hungry, my mind will scream at me that I'm starving and need to eat out the entire pantry!  Well, I know that I can't be that hungry because I've had good days where, when my mind wasn't craving food, I was perfectly fine.  Maybe it's also a mental battle? 

I looked at the Healthy Choice deli thin turkey breast (oven roasted) package this morning when packing my lunch, and it does indeed list a serving size as 7 slices at 60 calories. You might look at that and an apple for a snack instead of applesauce; that would be 120 calories, so would save you 60 to add to the dinner allotment.

Or maybe an apple with some peanut butter; would have to look at the calorie count for a tablespoon of peanut butter, but that would be more filling, I suspect, than applesauce, and nearly as tasty!

OK...........Here I go today!!  This morning I am going to try your suggestions, and eat something more fiberous.  I think this site is absolutely awesome, and thanks to everyone for all your help!!  MUAH!!!

Try this breakfast..protein and carbs

2 egg whites fried with spray pam
4 slices of deli ham or turkey
1 piece whole wheat toast
mustard

Layer all on bread for an open face sandwich

I also have 1/2 cup of ff plain yogurt with a packet of splenda and some ground cinnamon. 

About 200 cals for all this...much more filling then a bowl of cereal, and your PROTEIN is there to keep you full.

Try brunch.

10/11 o'clock, eat something light. Maybe fruit, a yoghurt and my favourite is tuna on ricecakes, hehh.

I'm often at exhaustion levels - sleep deprevation, low blood sugar levels, etc and quite often, I crave carbs for that... if you're like me and you do that, eat complex carbs about 'brunch' such as wholemeal and whatnot.  

OOo Msedmond! That sounds great! Though I might have to substitue somthing for the deli meat...I'm trying to cut back the sodium intake!

Also, sukisas, if you like smooties, you can add a scoop of protein powder to help fill you up for longer. Sometimes I'll do that for lunch. A strawberry banana smoothie with a scoop of protein powder and a salad.

Good luck!!