The Slimming Pool Weight Loss Blog: Hey, I was Eating That!
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Always Eating
People often comment that I always seem to be eating. That doesn't mean that at the first tiny hunger pang I go crazy looking for something to stuff in my mouth; just that I plan ahead, have healthy snacks close by, and know it's likely I'll get hungry every few hours. What's interesting is that I don't always get hungry at the same time each day, but when I do get hungry, I do eat.
Here's my usual weekday routine (times vary, but this is typical):
Breakfast 7:00 AM (I tend to wake up hungry)
Snack 10:00 AM (usually fruit, yogurt, bagel - I do make an effort to wait until 10:00 for my first snack, but some days if I'm really hungry, I'll go ahead and eat as early as 9:00). I have cut back on the bagels. I was eating a giant bagel (over 300 calories) every day, and I was getting really sleeping every afternoon. I don't know if there's a connection, but whenever I notice sleepiness or other odd behavior, it pays to check what you've been eating.
Lunch 11:30 - 1:30 PM (depends on whether I get hungry) - Guess what? If I don't get hungry until 3:00, then that's when I eat. I like soups, tuna mixed with salsa, something wrapped in a tortilla - whatever I've brought. I sometimes go out, but not often.
Dinner 4:00 - 5:30 (same thing, I eat when I get hungry, so if I had more during the day, it'll be longer before I'm hungry again.)
Evening - hardly ever get hungry, so rarely eat. During the week, if I think I'm hungry and it's after 9:00 PM I'll drink some water instead, cause it's unlikely I'm really hungry then. That usually takes care of it. If I really can't stand it, I'll have an apple (nice and crispy this time of year), or a banana or other fruit. Yes, it's high sugar. So what? People get so hung up on what they eat, that they don't realize they're choosing to skip real food. Fruit is not a bad thing, unless you are diabetic and must be very careful about your sugar levels. I don't usually want anything between my lunch and dinner, but if I get hungry, I'll eat. There's no set plan.
I broke the habit of eating most of my calories after 5:00 PM years ago. Now I eat all day, and hardly ever in the evening, even on weekends. It works for me, but I do eat a clean diet (more or less). Clean meaning little processed or fast foods, because if I start popping tiny candy bars, or eat french fries a few days in a row I'll start craving them again. My theory is that if the food value (nutritional value) is low (as it tends to be in processed foods) my body still wants nutrients, even though it may have enough calories. This can explain why one can eat a lot and still feel hungry, or be hungry soon after eating a big meal. Think about it? Did you eat good quality, nutritious food, or did you eat something batter fried, dipped in sugary sauce, dripping with grease? Are there any nutrients? Not the kind they toss in to call it fortified either. I mean real food folks. Try it, you'll like it.
If someone brings birthday cake, and it looks good, I'll eat some at 10:30 or 11:00 or whenever it's served, but then I'm hardly ever hungry for lunch until hours later. It varies every day. If someone brings treats, and they are the same thing I can get any day at the grocery store, I just don't have any. It's easy to pass up average foods. If someone brings something incredibly special, but I'm full from my breakfast - I might take some on a plate and leave it waiting until I'm hungry for it. Sometimes it might wait an hour, sometimes several. It's not going anywhere. There's no rush. I eat it very slowly, almost making a game out of it. How many tiny bites can I get out of this? It delays the enjoyment for a good long time, and after all, eating is enjoyable.
If you think you are always hungry (and believe me, I've been there), then keep a food diary for a few days to get a look at what you are eating. It may be there is a lack of nutrients, which explains why it's possible to still be hungry even after eating a lot of food. Or, it's psychological hunger, which is another story.
The most useful appetite suppressant is good food.
EFT Suggestions for Hunger or Cravings:
"Even though I'm still hungry, I deeply and completely accept myself."
"Even though I think I'm still hungry, I deeply and completely accept myself."
"Even though I'm craving donuts, I deeply and completely accept myself."
"Even though these donuts are average, I still want them, and I deeply and completely accept myself."
Try EFT on direct cravings, when they strike. It only delays your eating a few moments - try it, and see whether it reduces the desire, even a tiny bit. If it does, then eat slowly, enjoying what you've chosen. You might find you're satisfied with less, and getting more enjoyment at the same time.
