Do you find yourself super hungry in between meals? Thatβs a problem that can sabotage your best diet efforts. If youβre hungry in between meals then youβre going to be more likely to snack and while an occasional healthy snack is okay, the wrong snacks can be a problem. Theseβre the 7 reasons you could be super hungry in between meals and what you can do to fix the problem.
Snapshot Survey
Snapshot Survey
1. You Arenβt Eating Enough
The first reason you could be hungry in between meals is that you may just not be eating enough to get from one meal to another. You shouldnβt be going any lower than 1,200 calories a day. You can break this up in various ways. Typically, itβs best to consume more calories at breakfast and dinner than at lunch. You could go for 400 at breakfast, 300 at lunch and 500 at dinner to come in around 1,200.
2. You Eat Junk in Place of Meals
Weβve all been guilty of this. Last week I decided to skip having a true lunch so I could enjoy some Oreos and milk. While yummy, it wasnβt a good meal and sure enough, I was starving by dinner. Simple carbs such as those often found in junk foods donβt stay with you long enough to stave off hunger. Itβs okay to have a small treat π© now and then but replacing a meal with junk food doesnβt work out well.
3. You Donβt Eat Enough Protein π
Protein is very important. While carbs can give you energy, protein gives you strength. It also gives you that lovely feeling of being full so you donβt snack constantly in between meals. Iβve learned that I eat much less when I have a good source of protein at every meal. Meat, eggs, cheese and peanut butter are all good sources of protein.
4. You Eat on the Run π
Sometimes you have to eat on the run because youβre crazy busy. It happens but itβs best to avoid this whenever you can. Eating on the run can make you feel like you didnβt really eat at all. You donβt get the enjoyment of sitting down to a real meal so you can feel as if youβve not eaten. Taking time to sit down and enjoy your food can break the snack habit in between meals.
5. You Eat Mindlessly
You know how youβre eating something and you look down and discover itβs suddenly gone? And you really donβt remember eating it? Itβs a disappointing feeling when you realize you didnβt pay attention to your food. When this happens, youβre eating mindlessly. Youβre consuming food but youβre not paying attention to it, leading you to feel hungry again quickly. Put away the phone or turn off the tv and truly enjoy your food.
6. Youβre in a Snack Habit
Itβs easy enough to fall into the habit of snacking. You may not be hungry at all; youβre just craving something to eat. Food tastes good and we turn to it for all kinds of reasons besides hunger. It could be comforting to you or you could just be eating because youβre bored. Before you reach for a snack, ask yourself if youβre truly hungry.
7. Youβre Thirsty
Itβs actually possible that the hunger signals youβre getting are actually signals of thirst. It sounds a little unbelievable but thereβs truth to this. Many times people mistake thirst for hunger. To test this out, try having a glass of water next time youβre hungry. If the hunger fades then you know you were thirsty instead of hungry. If the hunger doesnβt subside then you probably should have a healthy snack. π
Theseβre some reasons you may feel super hungry in between meals. What do you do to keep snacking to a minimum? Iβd love to hear from you!
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