Mental hunger

Im 4 weeks out after my RNY surgery and the mental hunger is killing me!  I know that I'm not actually hungry but Im feeling so deprived.  I've cheated on what I'm allowed to have, I crave sweets like crazy.  I've tried, doing something different at the times I feel I'm hungry but it's not working.   I'm keeping busy.  Any other ideas for me? 

Check your diet. Maybe there are items on it that can cause cravings. 

I.e. most artifucial sweeteners (splenda, aspartame - nutrasweet, etc.) make me crave carbs...

Sacharine and stevia are safe for me (when the mix does not have dextrose - so no powder for me, just liquid stevia)

Look for hidden sugars in deli meats, grains (i don't eat grains)..

Also your diet may be too low in fats and too high in carbs. 

Natural sugars may stimulate hunger...

 

When i know i doing all the right things and i still crave sugar - i ask my doc for Rx Diflucan - some of us have yeast overgrowth in our guts, and that may cause real cravings.. I would take 2 pills (3 days appart) and stay away from fruits, milk, grains, ~ all carbs... But would eat as much as i need (and my pouch allows it) of meat fish, veggies...with some good fat  added (coconut, butter, avocado, etc. -don't skip the fat portion) 

Typically on 4 day - i no longer crave sugars or carbs and when i need to chose between proteins and ..fruits..i really rather have the meat....weird, but true. 

But..for times when i really want a treat - i make my own PB/coconut balls, sweetened with stevia, and covered in dark chocolate (melt unsweet chocolate with 1 tsp of butter +add stevia and a pinck of salt to taste, dipp PB balls in it, set on parchment paper in the fridge..) .  some protein powder can be mix with the PB... So good. Good- decadent, yet so good as a snack for me. 

Don't think what you can't - think what you can...

(Typed on a tablet.-  probably full of typos..o well).

I found that if I was craving something taboo, that I would make a tea, and use powdered skim milk with it, lots of protein in there. it filled me up and made me think that I was drinking some fancy calorific drink from star bucks!

What type of tea? I'm wondering where is the protein in tea with skim milk? Do you add protein powder? (I'm always looking for ways to add protein to my day.). Tx.

it doesn't matter what kind of tea, I prefer peppermint.. but that's my own preference.

and its skim milk powder..

Maybe this will help...

Physical Hunger Vs. Emotional Hunger: 

Physical Hunger:  Comes on gradually and can be postponed.

Emotional Hunger: Comes on suddenly and feels urgent.

Physical Hunger:  Can be satisfied with any type of food.

Emotional Hunger: Causes specific food cravings (pizza, chocolate, ice cream, etc...)

Physical Hunger:  Once you are full you can stop eating.

Emotional Hunger: Eat more than you normally would. Feel uncomfortably full.

Physical Hunger:  Causes satisfaction, doesn’t cause guilt.

Emotional Hunger: Leaves you feeling guilty and cross with yourself.

I always carry extra gum. I gives you the chewing satisfaction.  Some surgeons say no to gum mine have a thumbs up. Works wonders for me!!