How do you deal with the hunger

[PrincessFabian]

Hi I am trying to start fasting, first I am focusing on getting the good NFD habits in then I will start to introduce some fast days or maybe mini fast days.

But I am struggling just to stop snacking, I get so hungry between lunch and dinner that I end up giving in and because I have planned not to have any snacks I don't have anything healthy with me and end up getting something from the vending machine at work . This is just from cutting out snacks not even fasting yet.

So how do you cope with the hunger (apart from drinking water which I am already doing)?
Will my body get used to it if I can tough it out for a few days?

[MarianneAgain]

I drink lots of water and fruit tea or even very diluted black coffee but mainly I just keep very very busy... and stay away from people eating and drinking.

[suze28]

You will get used to it very quickly. I started this a couple of weeks ago and have surprised myself as my worst time was after work and before dinner in the evening.

[PrincessFabian]

I will keep on trying, I might try to tell myself that I am enjoying the hunger tomorrow zzzzz and see if that works for me.
I am not feeling very optimistic about fast days if I can't even cope with cutting out snacking whilst eating 3 meals a day!

[NotANotMan]

Fast days are a different mindset to regular days. Don't try to train yourself to fast, just jump in and do a fast day. It will be easier than you think.

[PopGoesTheWeaz]

I would try fast days before training for NFD as really, NFDs are harder and a long term goal I think. Also FD tend to be easier if you can tell yourself that tomorrow you can have your treat. And then, once you have FD down, on NFD you can tell yourself that you don't need the snack as afterall, you can go whole days without eating :)

If you are always hungry at 4, maybe have a look at what you are eating for lunch. More protein, less sugars may help you get through the afternoons.

Good luck!

[BigChocFrenzy]

I agree with going for an FD, also boosting protein on FDs & NFDs

On NFDs, try having a small protein-based tea, i.e. 4 meals per day
Much better than succumbing to the vending machine.
Maybe reduce supper a bit

Also, what are you having for beakfast ?
Avoid cereals or fruit juice - all the sugar increases hunger later
Eggs are a good choice, or porridge - not the flavoured instanr kind.

Good luck

[MarianneAgain]

I have a slightly different take on 5:2 but it does work for me. You might say that I combine it with the 16:8, in that I don't bother trying to count calories at all.
I have only calorie-free liquids all day (no food) until I have my evening meal - when I eat what I like. Obviously, "what I like" is not 2000 calories worth but it may well be more than 800.
This solves the problem i have seen mentionned of "being absolutely starving and only having 62 calories left" at the end of the day. It's instant gratification really - the "reward" (a decent meal) is on the same day as you put in the effort and you never go to bed hungry.
And not having to count the calories you consume at all is really liberating - and really "easy". No food at all. No milk in my coffee. Just stay hydrated to stave off hunger pangs and to avoid the fasting headache which can strike mid afternoon.

[Larasshadow]

MarianneAgain do you do that twice a week then? I kinda did that for my last fast day as I had prepared my porridge for my breakfast but thought I'd save it for lunch, lunchtime came and I still didn't feel all that hungry so just had dinner instead!

[Angbunnyboo]

Have a cup of chicken bovril - 18 calories.