Is it too much????

Hi All I have not been posting for a bit, some health issues with the family. I am 2-1/2+ years out and all of a sudden I am hungry all of the time. It's not that I eat bad things (except for the candy monster), but I just don't seem to have a bottom all of a sudden. I have a protein drink, then a cup of coffee, then a tangalo, then a piece of cookie, then a half an apple, then a piece of chicken, then a salad with kidney beans, then a small hard candy, then then then then. . . . . Of course there are a few hours in between or sometimes just minutes in between, but I just feel like a bottomless pit. I can't seem to get a breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and dinner order although I try every day. I have maintained my weight loss and I am in a good place in that regard, but wanted to ask if anyone had any clues as to what is going on? I know a lot had to do with the health issues of the family, but does anyone have any suggestions or comments???? Missy

I don't know much about dense foods, something I have seen posted on this board from time to time...but it seems to me the quality of your choices are pretty "empty" if you know what I mean. You are 2-1/2 years out...is it important that you drink your protein? Would it be more satisfying to eat food to get in protein? Also, by looking at the few choices that you offer...are they foods that you like? foods that are satisfying to you? foods that are comfortable for you? I know that if I ate salad with kidney beans I would be in gastric distress in a few hours! How do you feel about making a meal plan for a few days? In other words plan all of your meals and snacks, have the ingredients on hand to prepare them, and stick to your plan. I have done this for over 4 yrs. I am not nuts about it...I realize that real life makes you stray from your plan...but that is OK too if for the most part you are being strategic and in control of food vs. food controlling you. If you are not into making a plan, at the very least perhaps writing down all of the foods you like, make you feel good, and choosing from those for a few days will help you to gain both awareness and control of your choices. Other than that, if you want I can tell you that you are normal and successful and the road is long and sometimes there are peaks and sometimes there are valleys. May you have continued success for all your days, Karen

Karen, thank you for your wise words. You are right, I need to get a plan going. I thought that I would be able to get up and go like I used to, but I am finding many times that I cannot find anything to eat, and opt for a bowl of fruit, which has always been the easiest thing to digest. My one protein drink has become a staple for breakfast, and I only change that for a very occasional starbucks or oatmeal bowl. The salad with beans (which gives me some legume protein) is the easy thing to do at work, but the evening time is when I really get into trouble. Too hungry for a protein shake, and can't handle too much protein by itself. Maybe you can give me a menu that you use for a couple of days that might give me some ideas. I am not much of a cook and work a 10-12 hour day, 5-6 days a week, so I often opt for the fast/easy meals (hubby does too), so often I have also gone for Wendy's chili (not the whole thing, can't go there), but leave most of the meat. Anyway, your post has given me some words to think about, and I appreciate your response. Thanks. Missy.

I cook a 1/2 bag of chicken tenders (no batter) and keep them in the fridg (crock pot)all I have to do is heat them up or mix something to them..When there gone cook some more...I'm a real chicken eater but the same can be done with beef.. ready to eat shrimp they are frozen and run them under water a zap they are ready. I'm not a fancy eater but I have so many things to just put over my chicken in the fridg.. Its so fast I rarely take more than 8 mins ..my plates ready..good luck Wendy

I would love some suggestions of what you put over your chicken [tenders that you cook in the crockpot]. Also could you please share your crockpot method for cooking the chicken tenders? I like the sound of it. Thanks, Betsy

I have the small crock pot I throw in 10 or so chicken tenders.. add water to cover the tenders add a bit of garlic salt, some onion (I like sweet) If I have baby caroots toss some of them in or 1 small pot (red are the best) you cand add more I throw in celery 2 staulks... just for flavor I buy it wash up it in a container so it doesn' get slimmey turn on high if I'm home 3 hours and low 5 hours..all crock pots are differeant... I usually eat 2-3 at a time I always share with my dog... With beef cut into chunks ate the same stuff... I make brown gravy for the beef.. I usally add more pot my son hijacks those... You can cook turkey also but that seems to be needed to cook linger to me to get it tender make sure its covered with water.. I don't know if you know this but the skin on chicken and turkey are not good for you to eat not just beauce it fatty but becaus ethat pretty much wear the diease of the chiken is most..I work at a chicken plant... You can buy any parts of the chuicken bone in or out you like but I can buy chicken cheaper because I work at the plant. Tenders are the best part of a chicken (most tender.. duh).. Target have a bread its called old country no sugar... if you like sandwiches it very good... Now for what i put on the chicken I use every salad dressing... warm or cold.. cattlemens bbq..honey mustard.. gravy... cranbeery mustard.,, I made some cherry mustard... my own reciepe...real fancy I boiled dried cherries added honey mustard....cream soups I open a can use 1/2 freeze the other half.. baked apples and cinnimon.. I have even put peanut butter on the chicken..crushed nuts most pecans...I use lots of differant cheeses..they have a frying cheese at walmart and the mexican stores have lots of differant cheeses then you use jar salsa..Which I don't eat.I always do the taste test no more than a 1/2 tsp the first time around..I haven't had any dumping..unless I use aspertene stuff.... If you want some recipes for chicken go to tyson .com... can you guess I work for Tyson?? chicken is very good to freeze just don't use bags I always use container I've had better luck.. it keep up to 6 days in the fridg if you have a meat drawer with adifferant setting than the fridg it keep colder... If the meat is already cooked you will have a better chance of eating it and not grazing ... Oh another kind if meat that is super...Its steaks sliced real thin called milanesa... you can pan cook but my favorite it get you grill real hot it gonna cook fast so don't get to many on the grill.. if you like salt.. salt it or garlic salt it ..after flipping the meat.. it cooks fast... drip lime juice on it. Its about the thickness of bacon.. take off the grill when brown and tender I don't like it too crunchy squeese on some more lime and eat while you cook more ..can be eatten anyway you like.. I eat as is.... The other good way is tomatoe onion avacdo, lite mayo, even cheese the frying kind. (I'm not big on pork..the other white meat..) I usally cook it in the oven..drain off grease then saute onion put in sour kraut add brown sugar.. and finish baking till hot.. Hope this helps...I'm a single person... So I make it as easy and painless as possible.. anymore questions just ask Wendy

Wendy - thanks for all the tips. I plan to try them. Betsy

I, too, am over 2 years out. Some days are diamonds, some days are stones. The protein shake in the morning is important. However, so is some solid food. I have one packet of mix and eat oatmeal with raisins, which I eat at my desk. That is followed by a protein shake made with one and a half scoops of powder, 6 ounces of milk and 8 ounces of water all shaken up together. I sip on that for awhile. It gives me protein and liquids all in one sitting. Starting your day with a full tummy does make the rest of the day easier foodwise. If I am having a *hungry* day, I make another protein shake following lunch just the same as the one following breakfast. That makes up for a snack and I still feel full. I try to keep string cheese and stuff like that around for snacking, but you know how forgetful we can be. Also, I keep a few protein bars in my desk. They tend to be dense and make me very full. They work as a nutritious snack also. Balance Gold caramel crunch tastes just like a snickers bar, so I am getting rid of my candybar craving AND a snack at the same time. Good luck and God bless!