Lots of hunger lately

[Healthier2day1227 326]

I am 15 months out. I hit goal 2 months ago and even went 10 pounds below goal. Latley my hunger has been out of control and lead to night snacking. Sometimes I will eat for example a chicken breast on a bed of spinach but still be hungry. Or a bowl of turkey chili and still hungry. I take Pepcid AC so I don't think ya acid. In the middle of the night I will wake up ravenous and that leads to bad choices because I am tired. So I will have Peanut Butter or crackers which I keep on hand for the kids. This snacking has lead to a 5 pound gain. I am still under goal and bmi is 23 but I don't want to go above. I am constantly hungry and I eat 12-1300 cal a day. Does anyone have any tips?

[finediva 979]

My only tip would be to stack on Protein, not the carbs. At least that's going to be my strategy. Keep cut up grill chicken and turkey, hard boiled eggs and shrimp. Try a few almonds. I don't know about you, but I cannot eat 4 crackers and be done with it; it's always half the pack! Congrats on the great loss.

[Healthier2day1227 326]

My only tip would be to stack on Protein, not the carbs. At least that's going to be my strategy. Keep cut up grill chicken and turkey, hard boiled eggs and shrimp. Try a few almonds. I don't know about you, but I cannot eat 4 crackers and be done with it; it's always half the pack! Congrats on the great loss.

Thanks that's a great idea. I think I am going to prepare a middle of the night snack before I go to bed and have it waiting for me so when I wake up hungry I have something healthy to eat. And the protein Snacks is an awesome idea. I think it will help.

[finediva 979]

Yes, I also heard that something in turkey helps with better sleep. So maybe if you have the smack before you go to sleep, you'll sleep through and not wake up hungry. Also, once your body gets used to having a snack in the middle of the night, it's going to be hard to break that habit. You should really try and not eat when you wake up in the middle of the night. I know it must be easier said than done. I am insomniac and wake up every night for long periods of time. Thankfully I an not hungry in the middle of the night. Best.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Veggies, Water or some form of non calorie beverage. You can never get enough fluids, and the veggies are going to help. Maybe a piece of fruit also?

[Healthier2day1227 326]

Veggies, Water or some form of non calorie beverage. You can never get enough fluids, and the veggies are going to help. Maybe a piece of fruit also?

Thanks for the idea about the veggies. I already eat lots of fruit but typically don't snack on veggies.

[Healthier2day1227 326]

Yes, I also heard that something in turkey helps with better sleep. So maybe if you have the smack before you go to sleep, you'll sleep through and not wake up hungry. Also, once your body gets used to having a snack in the middle of the night, it's going to be hard to break that habit. You should really try and not eat when you wake up in the middle of the night. I know it must be easier said than done. I am insomniac and wake up every night for long periods of time. Thankfully I an not hungry in the middle of the night. Best.

I know I really need to break the habit. The problem is I wake up to pee and then find I'm hungry. But if I'm gonna eat something at least I need to plan ahead so I don't impulsively go to the pantry. Ugh such a bad habit.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

fruit is an issue, the veggies would help you more.

You are trying to break a habit, please don't tear yourself down. I had a surgeon who did that enough for me that I have a hard time now when people aren't always complementary. We're all here because we have problems with food. Lets work to thinking and rebuilding our lives into something positive and that we can overcome this and work together to do so.

[Healthier2day1227 326]

Do you have any ideas for veggie Snacks? I do veggies as a side for meals such as roasted in olive oil or steamed but all I can think of as a snack is like veggies with ranch.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

with oats
protein mixed in or wrapped around on them or on top of them
puree them
grate them
microwave them
shred them

what about all the other dressings? There is more to life than Ranch. People used to have French all the time and now don't. Have you tried some of the 0 calorie/fat dressings? With yogurt?

[Healthier2day1227 326]

No I have heard you can make a Greek yogurt dip with ranch mix. And I use balsamic on my salads but I've never thought of it as a dip. Good idea.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

How about this:

take grapes and dip them in Greek Yogurt. Then dip them in crushed nuts like pecans. Allow that to try in the fridge. Healthy snack, you get Protein from the nuts and yogurt, and some fat/dairy.

Look around for salad dressings on Walden Farms. I know they have a ton of different ones that are free of a bunch of things. I'm a proponent of using lemon juice and Water. Make your own green goddess dressing, its not popular like it was. What about bacon vinegrette?

I am on a lot of vegetarian or vegan lists. You can pick up a lot of tips on the Protein that is plant based (and not just beans) to help you get in nutrients, they're not highly caloric, and are a different taste, something you can join in with the whole family if you want to make them. So you make connections over food that is positive.

[AshleyMidwife 189]

Drink more water!!!!

[lsereno 2,525]

Try eating more earlier in the day. And drinking enough Water. In the meantime, I agree with focusing on a Protein snack. Greek yogurt is a good one.

If possible, make some rules you don't allow yourself to break. For example, I can resist hubby's treats if I NEVER EAT THE FIRST BITE. Once I do eat that bite, it's all downhill. So I just keep telling myself it's completely off limits. It works most of the time.

Try to cut down on bad (white) carbs, sugars, and oils. These foods feed microbes in our gut that then become more active and want more: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/your-gut-bacteria-want-you-to-eat-a-cupcake/378702/

Lynda

[Healthier2day1227 326]

Thanks Lynda, very interesting article. Our body craves what we feed it. I guess in addition to the Protein Snacks and Water I also need to get comfortable with hunger, if it's gonna stick around. As a formerly obese overeater, hunger is something I could never sit with and of course rarely did. Now if I am out of calories, I just deal with it.