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 sometimes have a handful of dry granola for dinner and mix almonds with it so it’s more filling.

Salad. If you actually want to lose weight, the only thing to have between meals is fruit (not bananas! More berries) but better yet salad. Celery, cucumber, raw carrot, cherry tomatoes, beetroot etc. Eat a big pile of it. Very few calories but satisfies the urge to snack.

@OfstedOffred

Salad. If you actually want to lose weight, the only thing to have between meals is fruit (not bananas! More berries) but better yet salad. Celery, cucumber, raw carrot, cherry tomatoes, beetroot etc. Eat a big pile of it. Very few calories but satisfies the urge to snack.

Is anyone actually really 'satisfied' by salad?

If you eat "filling" food it basically contains calories and you won't lose weight. Most people aren't actually hungry when they snack, they are bored, and the act of eating is satisfying.

There's no way around it, if you are going to lose weight you need to reduce the calories you consume and eating granola or bloody boiled eggs in addition to meals will likely meal you eat too many calories in total to actually lose weight.

Ps and yes this approach satisfies me. You can eat about 12 cherry tomatoes and it's very few calories but there's a sweetness etc and it genuinely satisfies my desire to snack.

I've learned is to just get comfortable with temporary hunger. It passes

This. When you start a diet theres always an initial phase where you feel hungry as your body adapts to a lower intake.. it gets better but you need to ride it out.

Popcorn with the tiniest dusting of icing sugar
Babybel light with an apple
Corn or rice cakes
Sugar free jelly with fruit in it

Cereal is terrible.
Best not to snack at all

God I want to cry reading this. No there is nothing 'bad' about eating when you are hungry

Well not bad as in morally wrong but if you are overweight and don't want to be, then yes it is bad in the sense that you won't achieve your goal.

Actually there is nothing bad about a well fed person being slightly hungry between meals. You won't faint, fade away, starve, cry or anything like that. You'll forget about it in a few minutes. It's actually good because you'll enjoy your meal more when it's time.

Think you would do better to read around the binge/restrict cycle. You are restricting yourself, which leads to a (albeit restrained) binge (handfuls of cereal).

Make sure you’re getting enough protein.

You're probably doing better than me, as I'm dieting and had a handful of Pringles last night Good luck with it!

It's hard to say as it really depends what your diet was like before.

If you were really overindulging before, eating loads of fast food or whatever, then the odd handful of cereal is still a step in the right direction.

Many people fail with diets because they are 'all or nothing'.

If you struggle to stick to a strict diet, but are doing pretty well on the whole, allow yourself the cereal. Yes as many have pointed out, it's not nutritionally the perfect option, but if it satiates you and helps you stick to an overall healthier diet, then you are going the right way.

Have realistic expectations, basically!

(From someone who has lost 3 stone :) )

Rice cakes, celery, carrots, a bowl of frozen peas, an apple or orange

I need to get better at managing hunger

I rarely let myself feel it. Then snack. Should just ride it out

@gerryperry I try to follow these steps if feel hungry:

1. have a drink of water
2. have a cup of coffee (or tea) as it takes longer to drink & I think the bit of milk makes it feel bulkier.
3. if I'm still hungry then have a snack

I've just been told i have gestational diabetes & the dietician recommended if you are hungry have a snack but make sure it's no more than 15g & preferably with a mix of protein/fat.
So a 30g block of hard cheese with grapes or oatcakes.
Apple (or celery) with nut butter. Veg sticks with hummus.
Bananas should be "fun size" & remembering a portion of fruit is 80g which is only about a handful.
Boiled egg & nuts.

Eating sugars/starch with protein & fat reduces the spike which means you feel fuller for longer.

Popcorn is good if you are really craving something sweet. Or highlights/options hot chocolate for the choc hit.

It does take some time for the body to adjust to not grazing.
They also said make sure any snack is 2hrs after your last meal & 1hr before the next.

If its too soon then you need to look at the previous meal & adjust protein/fat/carb ratios.
To close & it can affect you eating a proper meal so wait it out or bring the next meal forward if possible.