To have handfuls of cereal when I'm trying to diet?

[gerryperry]

When I'm so hungry, I just have a handful (or 2 but never 3!) of cereal. Is there anything I can substitute this with? Or is it not that bad?

What do you snack on while dieting?

I think it’s not ideal.

I’d go with veg rather than grain

Depends entirely on what type of diet you're trying to follow! If you're trying to low carb then it would definitely not be a good idea.

You're craving sugar. It never ends well.

You need protien to stay full. Have a boiled egg or something

@BIWI

Depends entirely on what type of diet you're trying to follow! If you're trying to low carb then it would definitely not be a good idea.

I'm following the cutting out the crap, drinking more water diet - just basically cutting back. Not following any particular diet.

Just would be good to know what to snack on when I'm too hungry

Yes, protein to stay full. Protein yogurt, cottage cheese or eggs are good.

Hard boiled egg, small portion of nuts, small piece of cheese, some ham/cooked meat/smoked salmon, some fish sticks could all be alternatives and would keep you fuller for longer.

Measure it and check how many calorles it is

A boiled egg is a really good shout. Keep a couple on the fridge for when you need one. It’s protein, so is satisfying for longer.
You can’t wolf down a boiled egg, you have to chew and eat it slowly. And you also have the ritual bit of peeling it first.

More protein and fat, fewer carbs. Then you won't be hungry.

Does it make you feel fuller afterwards?

I third the others - boiled eggs are very filling!! I also cut up raw veg to snack on like cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, even raw cauliflower florets. Amazing with a dip but obviously a dip isn’t ideal either.

First you need to work out how many calories are in it two handfuls of that cereal and then just replace with anything that has less calories. You might be able to choose something that's tastier but with less calories.

I don't snack on anything when dieting.
The most important thing I've learned is to just get comfortable with temporary hunger. It passes. As long as your meals are nutritionally balanced and are an appropriate caloric intake, snacking is unnecessary and pushing past it helps get you attuned to actual hunger -- hunger with physical signs, like a growling stomach.

OP I went on a major lifestyle change 18 months ago- dieting and exercise. I used an app called loose it where you count calories- it’s very dull but it really helped me identify where I was gaining weight- and carbs were the main culprit. My cereal and milk breakfast was around 500 calories- I swapped this to porridge and measured milk and halved the falsities. Cereal- and any carb- just puked on the pounds. I lost 8kg (size 12- size 6) and I’ve kept it off. My go to snacks are now either kalo rice cakes (30 calories….and they come in blueberry flavor do they really do feel like a treat) or sainsburys rocket lollies -36 calories each. Or a cup of tea. Good luck x

You might just be thirsty, not hungry. Drink more water!

My go to is soya greek style yogurt and some paleo granola. All low carb, high protein but still with a tiny hit of sweet to appease any cravings.

Otherwise I go for walnuts, olives and cubes of cheese.

Full fat Greek yoghurt with blueberries, raspberries and pumpkin seeds
Boiled egg
Carrots and celery sticks with hummus or yoghurt and herb dip
Chicken breast

It entirely depends on what suits you. Do you need carbs or to avoid them. Are you calorie counting or sticking to food types?

personally I havent touched cereal in years, makes me ravenously hungry. Including porridge, awful stuff, makes me so hungry by mid morning.

Snacking on cereal seems harmless enough you'd think, but it's actually going to make you more hungry after you've had it because the fast acting sugary carbs burn off very quickly and activate your appetite.
You end up feeling starving shortly after a handful of cereal.

You're better off planning proper meal times, and rather than snack in between have herbal tea on the go like peppermint or nettle that are known appetite suppressants.

Definitely switch to something protein based. I find things like mini babybel (62 cal) good or a pot of kvarg (83 cal). For an even sweeter option I find the fibre one bars good, all under 90 cals.

Sugary cereal will just make you hungrier and want to snack more.

All excellent advice thank you! Currently doing an online food shop and have added lots of things I may find helpful.

I usually do calorie counting diets and they work well for me but I've been trying to diet for months now. I'm on meds and the most common side effect is weight gain. I'm trying to push the my cravings.

Usually I can stick to it once I get in the swing of things and the fact I'm losing weight outrides my hunger 100%. But not this time, im always hungry.

I'm not massively over weight and I know I can do it, I just need that bit of extra strength this time!

I have a little packs of raisins, dried fruits, seeds, trail mix , crudités aka veggie dip cups, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, low fat greek yoghurt, roasted green beans, home made veggie crisps - sweet potato, aubergine, radish, beet, courgette (easy in the oven or air fryer) and sometimes i do use the dehydrator on my instant pot to make my own fruit or veg.

My advice is, if you're hungry, eat a meal! If you frequently find yourself hungry at inconvenient times, then have a think about how to make your meals more sustaining with a good balance of protein, carbs and fat. Avoid low fat anything at all costs!

I stopped eating cereal a long time ago, I couldn't last out until lunchtime on 30g of cornflakes. (30g is the recommended portion and looks TINY in a bowl so you could be eating almost another portion with your 'handful' snack). Make yourself a cuppa when you feel a craving and drink it slowly. Then feel very proud of yourself for not succumbing to a snack.

Raisins and dried fruits are horrendously high in sugar, like eating boiled sweets more or less.