What to eat when you "always" feel hungry?

[perSue]

So, it's 3pm, you've eaten a good breakfast, had a nice hearty lunch... and it's "that time of day"...

OR

You've eaten healthy, but it seems not half an hour after finishing your meal you're wanting another "snack".

Sometimes I feel like I have this hollow leg. I eat relatively well... veggies, fruits, fiber. But... sometimes I feel like I can't get enough food.
So I know I've eaten enough calories, I know I don't _need_ to eat anymore... so I feel like I'm purposely not feeding myself just to wait til the next meal!

Anyone else get this?

Anyone have any ideas for what to do?
I drink lots of tea... but it's not always convenient to make so many trips to the ladies room!

Recommendations on what to eat?

Anything is appreciated.

[erstbrmom]

I read somewhere that if you eat a handful of walnuts or almonds as a snack it helps make you feel full or tell your brain you're not hungry... something like that!

[Ceashels]

It could also be you are thirsty. I am always searchign for something to eat because i think i feel hungrey when I am really thirsty.

Try a glass of water and see how you feel in 15 mins.

[baxjul]

I would have a slice of cheese, or hard boiled egg for the protein. That would help you feel full longer.

[nuisance26]

~I second the protein! Keep some hard-boiled eggs in the fridge. They're very filling and about 100 calories. I also keep cut-up, milti-colored peppers in the fridge for my munchies. I can nibble on them for 10 minutes and not eat more than 100 calories. Sugar-free gum can also curb your hunger.~

[FreesiaE]

Something really boring like oatmeal with no sweetner or fruit, or plain canned tuna with no mayo/oil. This is food that will fill you up, but also help you realize if you are just eating for fun/bordom or true hunger.

[Neeley]

I will have some peanut butter or cut a few pieces of sharp cheddar cheese.

I also always keep some organic baby carrots and celery cut up in the fridge.

One last thing, I am an ice lover. I will eat a glass of ice chips several times a day.

[Libby]

For the post lunch munchies...I eat my lunch anywhere beteween 12 noon and 1pm. By 2pm Im munchie'ish lol so this is when I make my post lunch cup of tea and have a fruit for dessert. Or a yoghurt and some nuts. Or apples/veggies with pb. If Im still craving something sweet I will hunt down a tiny piece of chocolate OR make a sugar free drink stick and that usually holds me. With my lunch I usually have a water or a cup of soup or just soup of some sort to help me feel more full and postpone the afternoon hunger pangs.

Then there are those that bake treats and leave them out in the kitchen so when I go to make my tea..... Its sabbotage dang nabbit!

[acidcookie]

Definitely protein! Like nuts, a hard-boiled egg, yogurt...also good fats from things like nuts, like someone else mentioned

And also, "wet" foods. There's a whole way of eating based on a food's volume. So wet foods are things like apples, carrots, foods that contain a lot of liquid (and coincidentally usually a lot of fiber and other nutrients). These will keep you MUCH fuller than "dry" foods like crackers, breads, etc.

[YankeeMom]

Are you feeling hungry or is it boredom?

I have the opposite problem. I almost never feel hunger pains. Even in the morning if I forget to eat breakfast, I don't feel hungry. I don't even remember that I haven't eaten until my hands start to shake & I get jittery from low blood suger (and no, I'm definitely NOT one of those waif-like creatures lol). If I wait to eat, it would be 3-4pm before I even begin to get hunger pains in my stomach.

My point is, I eat at mealtimes because that's what I'm "supposed" to do. But I'm almost never hungry at those times. And if I'm not eating out of obligation, I'm eating out of boredom. Usually because I've been waiting & waiting to feel hungry before eating and boredom gets me before the hunger pains do.

[KJayEsq]

Hard boiled eggs are great. Also, one of my favorite snacks is low fat cottage cheese with tamari roasted almonds on top (regular flavored roasted almonds would be fine too I'm sure). It tastes great and is filling.

[Persimmon Lace]

I have to eat 2 small snacks inbetween my meals to keep everything working! So, I have a handful of pecans or almonds or 1/2 apple with peanut butter or baby carrots with ranch dip. If I'm just bored/hungry, I drink a glass of water or have an ice tea. That usually takes care of it.

[Marie78]

My worst snacking moments are after lunch, when I shouldn't be hungry, I refuse to eat anything anymore unless I feel the hunger pains and start feeling sick. I don't want to eat out of boredom anymore or because I'm tired which happens aroun 3-4pm (when I can tell I need a nap and can't because I'm at work). Then I bring a fruit & grain bar or banana to snack on.

In order to not snack after dinner I eat at least a cup of veggies at dinner. If I eat a cup of cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, green beans or beets with dinner I don't feel as hungry after dinner and a small bowl of cereal will stave off hunger before bed if I really am hungry (which happens if I eat dinner at 5 or earlier and don't go to bed until 11pm or later).

[IntlMom]

well, I drink tea, or broth, or something like that. I need that "hand to mouth" action that tells my brain I am eating - even if I am just sipping organic veggie broth. If I have eaten not too long ago, I know that my body doesn't NEED more food, it just WANTS more food. Veggie broth is my answer to that.

[bumplett]

I'm with Neeley - I'll munch on a cup of ice all day if it's in front of me

the answer to the question, IMHO, Water, Water, Water.