Please don't think I'm whining...but, dangit!!...I'm HUNGRY

[Doran]

I think it's the mere mention of the word diet. :D Except, I've said I'm just eating sensibly, right, not dieting. I had a nice big salad for lunch today and a bowl of potato/leek soup for supper at 5:30. Had to attend a meeting that ran until 9:00 pm. By the time I got home, I was really hungry. So, I had some tortillas chips (probably not the greatest choice, but...) and a few almonds. And a cup of tea. I'm still hungry. In concept, I really like the idea of not eating after 7:00 pm or whatever. But, my stomach is not happy. How long will it take "us" to adjust? What might I eat as a snack when I've eaten dinner so early but want something nutritious later? Was it a lack of protein today? I have not had much, that's for sure.

This really isn't such a big deal, is it? Tell me I'm being a cry baby. How is it that some folks say they were never hungry while di-- di-- dieting? Sigh.

I'm going to bed before I eat the whole kitchen, cabinets and all. :001_unsure:

Doran

[*anj*]

You know, I'm like the cat telling the lady where to leave her canary, but....

It doesn't sound like you had enough protein or fat today.
What was in the salad?

If you don't eat quite enough you will be hungry and grumpy, and your body will also rebel against you because it'll go into starvation mode and horde the calories.

And potatoes are high on the glycemic index, so your body digested them very quickly and once the sugar was burned off you're looking for more food. Tomorrow make sure you have a nice piece of lean chicken or fish or something, you know?

Now go have a glass of milk. Or a yogurt. Not the dessert kind your dd likes. Even a spoonful of peanut butter and an apple. A cheese stick?
You see what I mean...

[HeatherH]

Yeah, Anj, I was going to say the same thing!

Also, I know I'm always hungrier when I don't have enough fiber with protein. Sigh. I am NOTORIOUS for just cramming easy food in my mouth (read: soft, squishy, processed :tongue_smilie:) and then wondering why I'm hungry in and hour.

Doran - not that you've done that! I feel your pain, sister! And I, too, am going to bed before I either eat a ton of peanut butter (big weakness) or start singing random 80s lyrics. ;)

[*anj*]

Yeah, Anj, I was going to say the same thing!

Also, I know I'm always hungrier when I don't have enough fiber with protein. Sigh. I am NOTORIOUS for just cramming easy food in my mouth (read: soft, squishy, processed :tongue_smilie:) and then wondering why I'm hungry in and hour.

Doran - not that you've done that! I feel your pain, sister! And I, too, am going to bed before I either eat a ton of peanut butter (big weakness) or start singing random 80s lyrics. ;)

That's because great minds think alike! http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage23/11.gif (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/%5Bimg%5Dhttp://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage23/11.gif%5B/img%5D)

And I'm shuffling off to bed now for the exact same reason! If I don't make a break for it now I'll be here til 1:30!

[abbeyej]

Well, I've mentioned recently that I have had great success on Eat to Live (Fuhrman). The idea is that you eat as much fruits and vegetables as you possibly can, and not a lot else. (Super-abridged version of the diet per day: >1lb raw vegetables; >1lb cooked vegetables; >4 fruits per day; >1C beans per day; <1C whole grains or cooked starchy vegetable; 1oz raw nuts or seeds; 2oz avocado; no oil, no dairy, no meat, no sugar, no refined grains.)

Dh did it with me, and it's just plain not possible to be hungry on the diet. It's not always *pleasant*, and it's *sure* not an "eat what you love and still lose weight" diet, but we felt great, we lost weight, my skin looked great... I've fallen off the wagon a bit (we followed it strictly for about two months) and I don't even want to admit what I had for dinner, lol (but it was *really* yummy)... But truly, I felt better on the diet and worse every time I've strayed... And while it wasn't "fun", it wasn't *hard* either. The number of rules makes it in many ways easier -- there just aren't many decisions to make.

I was concerned at first at how low fat it was (and relatively low protein compared to popular wisdom these days), but that didn't seem to be a problem.

I do think, if you're looking for evening snacks, go for fresh fruit or raw vegetables. It's almost impossible to overeat (calorie-wise) of those foods, and even five clementines aren't going to ruin your day's dieting...

ETA: One of the reasons Fuhrman's diet works is because it's so high in fiber -- the beans and endless veggies really pack in the fiber, lol...

[WTMindy]

Does it help to know that even though I'm not hungry right now, I'm really resisting the urge to go snack on something just because I want to?! You can do it!!!!! Woohoo!!! (Picture me in my cheerleading outfit, cheering you on!)

[KidsHappen]

the past few days that it is scary. I lost about 20-25 lbs. in the last three months and now I think that my body is trying to make it all up in three weeks. I know that your metabolism slows down when you are ill and lose a lot of weight so I am really scared that I am going to gain more than I lost now that I am eating again. And I am really eating, way more than I did before I got ill. It seems like I am eating all day and I am still starving. I hope that things even out soon.

In the mean time some things that I have been eating that seem to fill me up some are: fresh and steamed veggies, protein smoothies, protein bars, salads, whole grains and various kinds of seeds (my favorite are pumpkin seeds but sunflower are good too). Air popped popcorn is good to and finally sugarless gum seems to be somewhat satisfying. Also drink lots of water.

Good luck. I am routing for you. :)

[HeatherH]

Does it help to know that even though I'm not hungry right now, I'm really resisting the urge to go snack on something just because I want to?! You can do it!!!!! Woohoo!!! (Picture me in my cheerleading outfit, cheering you on!)

OK, well, WTMindy - I'm going to usurp that cheer for me, cuz I really want to go nibble! Instead - it's bedtime! Gotta get up and hit the exercise video early!

[WTMindy]

OK, well, WTMindy - I'm going to usurp that cheer for me, cuz I really want to go nibble! Instead - it's bedtime! Gotta get up and hit the exercise video early!

Go Heather GO!! You can do it! Sis-boom-bah!!!http://www.33smiley.com/smiley/sports/9.gif

[lynn]

I think it's the mere mention of the word diet. :D Except, I've said I'm just eating sensibly, right, not dieting. I had a nice big salad for lunch today and a bowl of potato/leek soup for supper at 5:30. Had to attend a meeting that ran until 9:00 pm. By the time I got home, I was really hungry. So, I had some tortillas chips (probably not the greatest choice, but...) and a few almonds. And a cup of tea. I'm still hungry. In concept, I really like the idea of not eating after 7:00 pm or whatever. But, my stomach is not happy. How long will it take "us" to adjust? What might I eat as a snack when I've eaten dinner so early but want something nutritious later? Was it a lack of protein today? I have not had much, that's for sure.

This really isn't such a big deal, is it? Tell me I'm being a cry baby. How is it that some folks say they were never hungry while di-- di-- dieting? Sigh.

I'm going to bed before I eat the whole kitchen, cabinets and all. :001_unsure:

Doran

This is what I keep on hand for snacking Low fat cheese with whole wheat crackers, whole wheat bread with organic/natural p.butter, cheese stick and a piece of fruit, celery with p.butter, plain yogert with berries,(I keep frozen berries on hand for this), go lean crunch with berries and ff milk.

Also like I think Anj mentioned did you put enough on your salad?
For salads almonds, walnuts, sunflower or flax seeds, chicpeas or other beans, cottage cheese, shredded lf cheese, turkey etc.

[Colleen]

In concept, I really like the idea of not eating after 7:00 pm or whatever.

Why? Not trying to be silly; I'm asking in seriousness. Why do you really like that idea? Because it's popular "wisdom"? Because other people say not eating after such-and-such hour was part of their weight-loss plan? Or...what? Like I said in your other thread re eating habits, I'm not compelled to abstain from food simply because it's evening. We rarely even eat dinner before 7 pm. If I ate a bowl of soup at 5:30, you'd better believe I'd be hungry later. And because of that I would...(drumroll, please)...eat something! What would I eat? Fruit & cottage cheese. Or peanut butter on toast. Or a bowl of cereal. Or any number of other things. Followed, naturally, by some Newman's Own cookies or something of the sort.;) Sorry ~ I'm not trying to be flip. I don't want to minimize your efforts. I'm just keepin' it real, as ever.

[RoughCollie]

Doran, it sounds to me like you are starving yourself. You are not being a crybaby, not one bit. Personally, I don't think it makes a bit of difference whether you eat something after dinner or not.

You can eat snacks during the day: I eat them mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and sometimes after dinner. I do not let myself get very hungry and I eat a healthy diet. I eat whole grains, lots of vegetables, no added sugar, very low fat, and make sure I eat 50 g protein a day.

I'm not recommending that you eat the way I do so please take it as just an example. I have serious heart disease and I'm fat, so I have made modifications to my diet that most people don't have to (extremely low fat, low cholesterol, and no added sugar).

However, I consider this to be a healthy eating plan, not a diet. I intend to eat this way for the rest of my life. I plan to eat the foods I love that are not as healthy in moderation on special occasions like holidays and birthdays.

Here is a link to Harvard's food pyramid:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html

Scroll down to "Building a Better Pyramid".

Two other websites I have found helpful regarding nutrition information are www.mayoclinic.com and www.realage.com .

If you want to plug what you eat into the food diary at www.fatsecret.com , you can make sure you are getting enough of the basic nutrients to maintain your health. The program will keep track of your fiber, protein, carbohydrate, fat, cholesterol and sugar intake, and you can personalize it so only the categories in which you are interested are displayed.

I eat whole grains, 2 fruits, 5-7 vegetables (1 c. raw, 1/2 c. cooked), 5 oz. chicken or fish OR 1 c. legumes (beans), little dairy (I take a calcium supplement).

I track my nutrients at www.fatsecret.com. I take vitamin & mineral & fish oil supplements.

This is what I eat for breakfast every week:

(2) 1 c. oatmeal & 1/2 c. skim milk
(3) 1/2 c. Fiber One Honey Clusters cereal & 1/2 c. milk & 3/4 c. OJ
(2) 1 Thomas Light Multigrain English Muffin, benecol spread, strawberry
preserves, & 1/2 c. milk

For lunch, I eat a large salad of mixed greens and a sandwich made with 2-3 oz. tuna or chicken, and 2 slices of Arnold's 100% Whole Wheat Double Fiber Bread.

For 2-3 snacks a day, I eat a piece of fruit. If I am still hungry between meals, I eat 8 Wheat Thins (whole grain) and 1 oz. of Cabots 75% fat reduced cheese. If I am still hungry, I eat vegetables until I am sated.

For dinner, I eat 1.5 cups cooked vegetables, 2-3 oz. meat or 1/2 c. beans, & 1 c. brown rice. A couple times a week, I eat whole wheat pasta and 1/2 c. tomato sauce instead of the brown rice.

Basically, every day I eat 25 g fiber (10 g soluble), 45 g protein, < 7 g saturated fat, <20 g total fat, 2 fruits, 5-7 vegetables, 1200 calories, no added sugar. This week, I am going to add 1.5 oz. walnuts or almonds to my daily intake.

Also, I drink at least 8 cups of watery fluid a day (coffee, green tea, and plain water).

Remember, this is just an example. I am not suggesting you do anything as dire as I have to tweak your healthy eating program -- just giving you an example of what I've done. My program is based on the facts that I have serious heart disease and that I am fat. I keep my choices very simple because that is what works for me.

RC

[Virginia Dawn]

It really sounds like you didn't get enough to eat. Potato soup at5:30 would be like having a glass of chocolate milk for dinner. You probably should have eaten another big salad with it, or a sandwich with lean meat or cheese on whole grain bread, or even a big bowl of popcorn (homemade no butter) as an evening snack.

A few months ago, I tried eating only 10% of my calories as fat and I literally began to melt into a puddle of tears. I won't do that again. Now I stick to under 30%, but I make sure to have some fat in my diet each day, usually in dairy or oil.

[Doran]

Thanks, everyone. I feel little stupid...or is that stooopid?....for not getting this stuff intuitively. It's just that I've never really thought about it so much. And, to be honest, maybe I should stop doing that. I'm convinced that the more I think about the fact that I should not have something to eat, the more I want something to eat. I am human after all (the crowd sucks in its collective breath...."What??? Doran's human!?" :001_rolleyes:)

Colleen, your comments don't seem flip at all because basically, like you, I've always just grabbed something to eat if I'm hungry, and generally not a half a bag of potato chips and 6 cookies. So, I do need to be careful not to make this more complicated than it is.

Rough Collie's post will, I think, prove very useful. I've been wondering (not for days or anything, just since maybe Sunday. Wait,that is days.) about finding a source online where I could track calories and nutrients. I have zero desire to do that all the time, or every day. But, I really don't have a clue about what a typical day looks like for me, calorically (that's not a word, is it?). So, it's tricky to figure out how to consume more or less when you don't know what you are consuming. And, my meals don't come in little boxes with nutrition info. on the side.

That potato/leek soup? Who knows? It had potatoes (ooh) and leeks (aahh), chicken broth, celery, olive oil. But, that's all I can tell you about it. The salad also included half a tomato, flax and sunflower seeds, a carrot, and homemade dressing (complete with oil) which I did not skimp on when I applied. Breakfast was a half a whole grain bagel with butter, peanut butter (yes, both), & jelly and yogurt. I even had some snacks in there somewhere. And, there were the almonds and tortilla chips late last night when I got home. So, really, does that seem like the food intake of one who is starving herself. I dona tink so! I can't wait to go over to RC's suggested site and plug in those food stuffs and see what the calorie meter says.

The cheerleading and good wishes made my today, though. My today which has started out like it ended last night...with no phone. We think high winds might've taken out a line outside. Great -- like I have time in my life for this!:glare:

So, today is a new day. Thanks for all your support gals. I can't promise this will be the last time I come here for recommendations and advice with this "thing" I'm doing.

Cheers,
Doran