Head Hunger

Hello again!  I was wondering if any of you have had problems with thinking you are hungry but knowing your really are not?  I want to snack all of the time now.  I do not feel hungry but I have the urge to eat more than I have before.  I have 3 small meals a day and 2 snacks usually.  The only thing different is that I am now walking 1.5 miles every other day.  I am not sure if I get enough calories a day so would that make me want to eat more?  I don't like thinking about food all of the time and it scares me how intense the urge is.  Thanks for any input or advise!

Stacey 

I have heard that head hunger is tough. I personally have not had that. I am thankful in a way that I was so sick after surgery I could of cared less if food was ever around me again. To this day I still do not delight in foods. I eat because I know I have to,not because I even feel hungry (this sensation has not yet returned). This can be as big of an issue as having head hunger. Keep yourself busy when you get those extra urges,do crafts,take a walk,chew gum do something to ward off that evil monster.Maybe try a protein that is more dense-maybe some chewy meat (jerky) would be helpful. Sometimes it is more of an oral fixation then true hunger.In this life we have to do whatever works above and beyond foods. Find a happy place.
I wish you the best of luck!
Kelly/tink

Well, I'm pre-op, but from what I've read from others, people also generally recommend eating protein first, then veggies.  If there's any room left, then carbs - fruit, whole grains preferably.  Try to make sure your snacks are protein-dense vs things like triscuits.  I'm not saying that things like triscuits are bad since they're whole grain, but it's hard to overeat on protein, yet easy to do with carbs.  Plus, protein takes much longer to digest so you'll be hungry less frequently than if you're eating carb-based things like crackers, applesauce, etc.  For snacks, you could do rolled up deli meat or low carb/ SF protein bars, SF yogurt, etc.  Have you ever tried low-fat (or FF, whatever you want) cream cheese spread over deli ham & rolled up - yum!

Stacey: how many calories are you getting in per day? Now that you are exercising you might really BE hungry.

I still struggle with knowing whether I am really hungry or not. I figure it out when I am out of my routine because I won't eat then!

I've seen lots of folks suggest that you drink something when you think you are hungry. If you are still hungry 30 minutes later, eat!

are you eating denser foods yet? If you are mostly eating soft stuff that won't keep you full as long either.

hang in there!

judi