Help. Before I go crazy and eat everything!

Hello,

Anyone else find themselves really hungry in cold weather? I'm freezing today and no amount of food seems to fill the bottomless void that is my tummy!

What can I eat to stop myself feeling like I am starving to death?!

Hi 5whisperer,

I can totally relate to your comment. In winter I tend to crave pasta or other warm, high-carbohydrate items. I would try the following:

- soups (especially low cal or veggie ones with lots of chunky veggie pieces which makes it seem like I'm eating more)

- drink warm tea or coffee with no cream (if you drink coffee)

- homemade oatmeal (from raw oats) - I haven't tried this yet but I hear it is much better for you than packets or at restaurants

Also, if you are still cold try wearing warmer clothes or exercising/moving around to get warm. Your body might feel hungry due to the cold "cue" so if you warm up other ways it might help.

And, finally, as some overall motivation: "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." That is becoming my mantra as I start this journey.

I hope this helps you... best wishes and good luck! You can do it!

Personally I like progresso soups they have some varieties that are only 200 calories total for the whole can..and they also have some low-sodium and light versions (like 120-150 for whole can)...I will even eat a piece of toast with it to help soak up the very last bit.  

Theres a good turkey chili recipe on eatbetteramerica.com just be sure to use ground turkey breast since just ground turkey can contain any parts of the turkey

I think it is true that people feel a bit hungrier during the winter months.  Personally I can't wait til it gets cold because then I won't crave/want ice cream or margaritas as much (hopefully)

I love making pumpkin oatmeal in the fall (or anytime) just add 1/2 cup canned pumpkin to your oatmeal.  (I use quaker quick oats) I usually add some cinnamon as well and a packet of splenda to sweeten.

Keep your goal in mind.  Winter time can be tough but it's something we can handle.  Maybe you should find some activities during the winter to keep you busy? Drawing, climbing, mall shopping, walking around a cute town, going out with a friend, talking on CC, take a hot bath and picture your on the beach

Thanks guys! Actually I went off for a brisk walk to distract myself, cause when I shut my eyes I could actually see pies with gravy and mashed potato!

Soup and oatmeal are a great idea. I really like the sound of pumpkin oatmeal, but alas, I don't think canned pumpkin exists in the UK. We didn't get a reputation for being uptight by eating canned pumpkin!

Thanks again for the wisdom!

Cxx

nothingtastesasgoodasthinfeelsnothingtastesas goodasthinfeelsnothingtastesasgoodasthinfeels

:)

I'm the same way!! Last night I still have 200 cal left over because I've been snacking late so I wanted to leave room for it and I ended up going to McDonald's :( Totally regret it now.

haha I love it! I won't crave margaritas as much either!

I am the same way, too. I tend to eat more hot and yummy stuff....like pastas.

Love the progresso soup idea. I'm going to have to stock up on some...I'm just not a big soup eater!

I'm all about the black coffee and oatmeal idea.. but I have to always have cinnamon cause it seems so very fallish! Also when I'm feeling marginally indulgent, I like having an english muffin with a little butter (around 200-220 calories)

miso soup.  I could eat it everyday - warm, salty, savory and filling.

I hate to say that I know exactly what you mean.  I HATE the void.  It feels like I imagine worms or something must feel- like I eat it and a black hole or some creature inside me sucks it in, leaving me unsatisfied.

The whole walk thing you did sounds great- keeping busy is the only way I know of to get over it.  I chew gum and read, exercise, etc.  I have to somehow keep in mind that I do NOT need it.  It's an illusion- or rather, I expect, my body just trying to prepare for the long, cold Winter- making it like the vestigial shark fin I have on my back- just useless and gets in the way.

Lots of great suggestions so far, I know for me, when I get that way, there isn't a food (at least not one I've tried) that will satisfy the craving.  I just have to tough it out until it subsides on it's own.   Feeding it often makes it last longer, for me.

Shame everyone's so different and vibrant, eh?  We could all do the same thing, otherwise!  Hope you're able to overcome or outsmart this one, whisperer!

EDIT: I'd like to add the chewing gum is my secret weapon against stuff like this.  My body sort of thinks I'm putting something into it (even though it doesn't need it!) but there isn't more than 5 cal a stick going in.  It can get disgusting- I chew a lot, and for a long time, but it works in a pinch, for me!

have a bunch of water, thats what i do it really works! i always was like whatever that wont help me, but it does! or a 25 diet hot chocolate packet tates good and gives you something to sip on, maybe your just mouth hungry..chew some gum??

If you really want something warm to help fill you up, go with a hot herbal tea. You can sweeten it with Splenda (better yet, Stevia, a naturally sweet zero calorie herb) if you don't like it straight. Green tea and especially Yerba Mate tea have appetite suppressing qualities!

sugar free hot cocoa does the trick for me.  I prefer tea, but it doesn't have that same "full" effect that the hot cocoa does.  Also, those packets of dry chicken noodle soup are 300 calories for the entire packet and make about 4 cups of soup.  I can't remember the brand - it's not lipton, some odd brand.  But, they make great 150 calorie snacks during the winter.  I usually make up an entire box (8 cups) and just keep it in the fridge to pop in the microwave when I'm wanting something warm or when I'm too tired to really cook dinner (which is common in the winter for me - winter blues).     

I agree, I think the change in the weather to winter has my body wanting to get warm from the inside out with calories being the fuel.