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Anyone else constantly hungry?

I just started trying to control my portions and fat intake and my stomach constantly feels empty. I know what it's like to have hunger only in your head. This seems physical. Anyone else out there feeling this way? If so, what are you doing? I'm drinking more water, but that doesn't seem to help. I've tried eating more protein, but that doesn't seem to work either. Could it be that it just takes a while for the body to get used to a new way of eating? If so, how long will I be hungry?

Fri. Jan 6, 1:31am

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What helps me quiet the growling in my stomach is eating yogurt a little before the time I usually get those hunger pains (try Trader Joe's plain, fat free authentic Greek yogurt--it's strained and has a smooth, creamy texture that's different from the other yogurts on the market like yoplait, danon, and such-- and pairing it with some frozen berries, nuts or some whole grain cereal) or drinking something hot (i.e. hot tea, hot cocoa, hot chocolate, etc.) throughout the day, or when you're hungry. Since you've just started out moderating your intake, your body's not used to the change in your dietary habits yet. Give it about a week or two and you should be getting less complaints from your tummy. By eating less, your stomach will shrink in size and thus you'll eventually get fuller faster on less food. To satiate it, try adding more fiber in your diet, while keeping up with the extra water and protein! I don't recommend drasticly cutting your caloric intake though because you'll be more likely to binge in the near future. Try gradual reduction. I hope this helps! =]

Friday, January 06, 2006, 1:56 AM

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Hungry Girl

Quoted from 'Hungry Girl'

"I, too, have a big appetite (hence the name, Hungry Girl). And though I watch my calorie intake, I try to eat until I'm satisfied. For me, sometimes that means filling up on water, low cal veggies, and fruits. And studies show that starting a meal with a broth-based soup (which I often do) is a great way to help take in fewer calories overall. How much food it takes to make you full can also depend on how many meals you eat a day. If you eat only one or two, chances are, by the time you get some food, you'll wolf anything and everything down in two seconds flat. It sounds weird, but the more meals you eat, the less you'll likely eat overall. That's because eating small meals every few hours will help you avoid getting to that famished state where you devour everything in sight. Lastly, it takes your stomach about 20 minutes to register that it's full. So the next time you're eating, and eating, and eating, and are still hungry, walk away from the food for a half hour or so. Chances are, that when that time has passed, you won't be hungry anymore."

Link

Friday, January 06, 2006, 3:08 AM

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I generally think if you are hungry all of the time, something is going on. Are you trying to cut back too much too fast? Are you skipping meals? Are you trying to completely cut out a major group like fat or carbohydrates? Are you feeling hungry at certain times and not others? Do you feel lonely? Tell us more.

Friday, January 06, 2006, 5:34 AM

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i sometimes feel like i am hungry all the time too, but the following help:
- eat slowly, chew each bite many times, and savor your food
- set the fork down and take a sip of water between each bite
- after finishing a reasonable portion, drinking few glasses of water, and waiting about 20 minutes, if you still feel hungry eat an apple
- don't go to bed full - for me, when i go to bed full, i feel like i tell my body that full should be the default state, and i wake up wanting to eat. on the other hand, i currently have a rule not to eat after 8 pm, so i usually go to bed a little hungry, which makes me much more in touch with the physilogical sensation of being hungry, not hungry, or full.
- try to never eat until you are full--only no longer hungry--or if you must eat a lot, make it a lot of lightly steamed broccoli, or a lot of celery, or something.
good luck! let us know you it goes

Friday, January 06, 2006, 9:02 AM

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starving yourself is not the best way

And I mean it, your body will start to adjust to the samller portion intakes that you have taken and your metabolism will start to burn less calories...which is not a good thing. However, you can eat fruits (apple is the most preferable) during the period after lunch and before dinner, remember to only eat fruits at that period of the day. I, myself tend to eat a lot during dinner, so I drink soup before and after dinner so I won't eat that much during dinner. It helps, and you'll also realize that your skin will look better too :].

Friday, January 06, 2006, 9:30 AM

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You mentioned trying to control your fat intake. What did you mean by that? If you are constantly hungry, but getting enough protein, then likely you are not getting enough fats or fiber. Your body needs some fat (particularly the healthy kind that comes from nuts or vegetable oils, rather than animal fats) to operate correctly.

When I first started dieting, I found myself snacking on things like 100-calorie packs of oreos, b/c they're only 100 calories, or dry cereal, etc. And eating things like pasta w/ red sauce, or sandwiches w/o mayo, etc. To cut down on calories. But, I was always hungry, and always snacking more. It was because I was eating tons of simple carbs, because they seemed lower calorie than, say, nuts or cheese. That's true, but, they only keep you full for, like, 5 seconds. A snack of an ounce of nuts or two slices of cheese will be over 150 calories, but it can really hold you over for way longer than fat free, sugary or starchy foods.

Try replacing simple carbs with complex carbs and healthy fats and fibers. I bet you'll be way less hungry! That takes a little while to get used to, b/c the "quantity" that you can eat seems much smaller, b/c the calories are more dense. You can't eat until you're full; you will finish eating, and after 10-15 minutes, then you won't be hungry anymore. It's a big change, but really, it's the key to losing weight w/o being hungry.

Friday, January 06, 2006, 10:06 AM

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Load up on those veggies! All the fiber and water in unprocessed veggies go a long way to creating satiety and the nutrition value is unbeatable. Try a big tossed salad with extra tomatoes, carrots, your favs, nf dressing and then have a cut up apple on the plate as well. Believe me, that'll fill you up.

One of my favorite veggie treats I use is baked squash with apples. I prep a butternut squash and put it cut side down in a baking dish. I then surround it with quartered apples, dusted with cinnamon blend. Add a couple T of water and then bake at 400 until the squash is tender. When you take it out of the oven the pan will have juice in the bottom. Let the squash sit as is for about 10 minutes and it will absorb all that sweet apple juice. Then enjoy your luscious fiber and vitamins til you're full.

Bon Apetite!
Trish (Spotlight Paris)

Friday, January 06, 2006, 10:08 AM

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You will adjust. The first week or so are the toughest. Once you get through that, I promise things will get better. I too like big portions (that's my problem), and there's always a very difficult adjustment period for me and my tummy when I start a weight-loss program. The first day or so, I don't even actually believe that I'm going to be able to survive on such a small amount of food. But the body adapts surprisingly quickly.

One little trick I've used to stop feeling so hungry is to go and brush my teeth. It sounds silly, but it works. For some reason, when you have that fresh & minty feeling in your mouth, you're not as likely to want to eat anything. It's just a psychological trick you're playing on yourself, but it works.

Friday, January 06, 2006, 11:22 AM

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more info

I think I'm trying to really reduce the fat--- before I started this, I ate A LOT of fat (cheese is my favorite food.) Because I had this gall bladder attack (again, ouch) I look at fatty foods as pain waiting to happen. Honestly, before, I ate anything and everything, whenever I wanted. Now that I've gone to the ER and had liver tests come back off the charts, I'm way more careful.

Believe it or not, today I'm not as hungry.

Friday, January 06, 2006, 12:17 PM

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I drink a glass of water before I eat that really helps me to feel full. It's hard not think about food when everywhere you look it's around you TV etc. Do you drink soft drinks cause that will trigger hunger pains. I stopped drinking diet coke for almost a year now. I drank alot more than 6 cans a day. My doctor told me to quit drinking soft drinks. I now only drink water sometimes I drink ice tea and I feel so much better even though I'm 60 pounds over weight. Also try chewing gum. Hope this helps. You all take care.

Friday, January 06, 2006, 12:43 PM

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i was having the same prb. it wasn't till i met a new diet buddy who lost all her excess . she told me to get the lite whole grain bread ( 2 sl.= 70 cal) eat a slice or 2 with some meals w/ plenty of water. this realy helped till my stomach shrunk down. i also went to eating 6 mini meals a day 200-250 each. i am loving the results. maybe this can help you. good luck!!

Friday, February 03, 2006, 3:56 PM

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I'm constantly hungry when I'm working out and I don't drink enough water. Dehydration can send the same signals as hunger so I would definitely make sure that you are properly hydrated.

Friday, February 03, 2006, 4:36 PM

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Definitely eat more frequently in your day. Just 100 calories here and there will make a huge difference. Try eating every 2-3 hours. I think the first couple of weeks are the toughest because your body is adjusting. Just don't get too drastic with limiting your calories. Anything under 1200 really isn't safe for your body. And it is hard when you first start because you are so focused on your eating. You've got food on the brain! Good for you for making the first step! You can do it!

Try things like:
lowfat yogurt
lowfat cottage cheese
1 oz. lowfat cheese
fresh veggies
almonds or walnuts (about an ounce)
1 serving of whole grain crackers
most pieces of fresh fruit are about 100 calories

Loricbme


Friday, February 03, 2006, 5:03 PM

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2 servings of spinach plus 1 teaspoon of olive oil is 100 calories- does wonders for me especially at night.

Saturday, February 10, 2007, 9:07 PM

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Chromium Picolinate

I was hungry all the time too when I first started watching what I ate and cutting back. I read an article on Chromium Picolinate that said if you have 200 mg in AM & PM, it helps with hunger. The article said it regulates the release of insulin. I tried it and it works great for me. I take it with my morning vitamins and at night, when I brush my teeth. It's made it much easier for me. Good luck.

Saturday, February 10, 2007, 11:08 PM

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Grumbelly

I'm pretty much hungry all the time. Like real, not-in-my-head hungry. Growling stomach. Often, I get hunger pangs within 30 minutes of eating a really big, heavy-feeling meal. Maybe it *is* pyschological for me, because there's no way my kid should hear my stomach rumble on the DRIVE HOME from dinner. Keep us posted!
(I just started *trying* to manage food, so I can't offer anything yet.)

Sunday, February 11, 2007, 11:11 PM

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keep busy

I notice that when I have a real busy, exciting, slightly stressful day at work, I don't even think about food. Too boring or way too stressful and I'm hungry. I don't know what it is, but I wish I knew how to turn it on and off at will! So I try to engender that kind of busy feeling -- plus then I get more done :)

Monday, February 12, 2007, 9:52 AM

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bottomless pit

I am constantly hungry. My boyfriend said that he would have to take out a loan or get a third job so he would be able to feed me. I am 5'8 150lbs. It scares me that i eat so much.. I think i have high metabolism. If i don't eat for a couple hours i literally feel the pounds melting off. I been drinking a lot of fruit smoothies,yogurt, and veggies (I never really like chocolate,ice cream,cake,soda) Is it true that you can have worms? Just the thought of that grosses me out.

Thursday, August 16, 2007, 9:34 PM

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Youre just adjusting to the dieting. it will get better in a week or so.

Thursday, August 16, 2007, 9:57 PM

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9:34

You really could have a medical condition. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's basically when your body is not absorbing the food you eat, and it all goes right through. You always feel starved and hungry, and like you can't eat enough. But you don't gain that much weight because your body is rejecting the food. This condition can be dangerous, because you could be suffereing from malnutrition and not know it, and not absorbing much of the food you eat. Go to the doctor and run a few tests, you will be better for it.

Friday, August 17, 2007, 9:44 AM

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How To Stop Emotional Eating

This is a link to a new article on the site about emotional and night eating.

Link

Friday, June 19, 2009, 11:59 AM

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always hungry

For a week now I have constant hunger pains. I feel famished after a meal. It is hard to sleep. Could it be hyanal hernia?

Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 8:48 PM

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Hungry? Eat fiber. It isn't just hype. Fiber swells on contact with liquid and fills up your stomach. Learn what foods are high in fiber and work them into your meals. Peas, chickpeas, broccoli, fiber-added foods, etc. Eat low calorie/high volume foods like vegetables and salads. Get rid of refined sugar. Those 100 calorie treats are horrible for you. Empty calories. Try south beach phase one for a week or two. That helps curb cravings.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 9:33 AM

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my experience

I usually eat late at night when I play carx street

Link

Friday, February 23, 2024, 5:56 AM

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