Do you eat when you’re hungry?

[PashunFroot]

Even after you’ve already eaten a substantial meal?

im slowly getting over an eating disorder and have joined slimming world which I’m finding really helpful, but I’m also calorie counting as I’m breastfeeding and want to make sure I’m getting enough.

i feel I’ve eaten quite a lot for dinner though, but I’m feeling hungry. Do normal people let themselves feel hungry? Or should I eat. I’ve already eaten my calorie allowance for the day. I am planning on doing a workout too.

aibu to ask what you do if you’re a healthy weight?

I don’t remember seeing that on the form

Ime couscous is not filling enough. A plate of couscous isn’t the same as a plate of pasta even it’s the same ingredient

I eat at set times whether I'm hungry or not. As I've got older, post menopause, I rarely feel hungry, so if I didn't do this I could under eat. I know how much food I need per day and eat it when it's 'time'.

I'd go and see a nutritionist too. They can come up with a decent meal plan that takes breastfeeding etc Into account. I found that when I got my nutrients somewhat right, i.e. I was getting enough of everything (especially fats) my cravings pretty much disappeared and I wasn't hungry between meals.

Having said that, I'd totally eat if I were hungry, especially when breastfeeding. You need the calories. 😁

yes, if you’re hungry definitely eat!

Having also recovered from an eating disorder I would really encourage you to move away from slimming world. Anything that encourages calorie counting/ restrictive eating can take you right back to your disorder. I’d echo PP in saying a nutritionist would be so much better, it’s a longer term plan of habits and consistency that’s going to be so important, rather than counting, diets or anything faddy.

I’ve seen so many nutritionists over the years.

im not sticking to slimming world religiously, I’m actually very clued up on nutrition in general but I find it really helpful as a template, I find the weekly weigh ins and groups really supportive and it’s the I my plan I’ve followed where I haven’t had to actually cut anything out. I’ve had one binge in 2 months since starting where as before I would binge for weeks on end.

im very aware of its flaws, but it’s working for me atm, I have lost 10 pounds (and that’s with 2 weeks off). If it stops working then I will stop

Not when I’m trying to lose weight. If I’ve just eaten I’ll have a cup of tea and do something to distract me from thinking about food

Yes. If I'm actually hungry I eat.

I'm a healthy weight.

Thanks everyone. I had some cheese with a couple of crackers. Baby did have a huge breastfeed before bed which might explain why I was so hungry!

so those saying my meal sounded really light, what would change/add to it?

If I was trying to lose weight I wouldn’t eat cheese and crackers!

Thanks

I think posting here was a mistake. Thanks anyway.

I eat whenever I’m hungry but I try to treat myself like I treat my kids. So if they say they’re hungry then reject toast/banana/crackers they’re not really hungry, they’re just angling for a kinder bar or a little cake or something. Which is fine, but not too much. I wouldn’t sit hungry if I could just have a yoghurt or a bit of fruit or veg or something.

Nothing much wrong with cheese and crackers if you're still hungry! As for your meal - the salmon is great but cous cous never seems filling to me; I'd much rather have a jacket potato with vegetables (I know you had those too - were there enough?). Breastfeeding seems to make a lot of people hang on to weight, too, and as soon as they stop they lose it (obviously they don't stop with this in mind).

Just to note, something like cherry tomatoes or a few almonds would be a much healthier choice for a snack than cheese and crackers, OP.

Your dinner sounded perfect, no need to add to it.

Best of luck!

Usually I would have smacked on some fruit or veg but it’s shopping day today so we didn’t have anything left last night! Plus I had 3 lots of my healthy extra dairy allowance left so thought I’d have some cheese.

There’s nothing wrong with eating a bit of cheese. I honestly think if you want healthy diet advice mumsnet isn’t really the place to ask - many people on here are sadly scared of food/have really disordered eating ideas.

In real life it’s normal to eat all things moderately when hungry. Balance in all things - a little bit of cheese when hungry after a small dinner of salmon and couscous isn’t what’s making anyone obese.

I do intermittent fasting (only eat during an 8 hour window) so if I'm hungry during my eating time I'll eat. If I'm hungry during the fasting time I won't. What I've really noticed is that feelings of hunger are temporary. Sometimes I can feel really hungry then 20 minutes later I'm fine.

@SallyWD i used to do omad which worked really well for me, but due to breastfeeding I think I’d pass out during the day with no food, plus not sure how good that would be for my supply.

Some tips for SW are to have boiled eggs and cooked chicken in the fridge for snacking, but the cheese is fine especially when BF too. I also buy lots of frozen fruit so I can defrost and enjoy with yoghurt for snacks. Definitely eat if you feel hungry and take a look at how much veg you're including in your meal if you're still hungry after.

*No, I wouldn't eat again if I knew I'd had my calories for the day.

I'm very used to being hungry though. I used to be morbidly obese (now a size 8) so I know I can't trust my hunger signals!

My signals are 100% faulty, I've accepted that to maintain my weight I can't trust my body sadly, so I track my calories. Sometimes hunger isn't hunger- can be boredom/thirst/emotional/cravings.

If I ate every time I was hungry, I'd be obese (again*

This. I too have eating disorder and if I were to listen to the advise of ''listen to your body'' I'd never stop eating, it's so complex.

What I've really noticed is that feelings of hunger are temporary. Sometimes I can feel really hungry then 20 minutes later I'm fine

This. Cravings generally come in waves.

Are you both happier being a healthy weight but hungry a lot? Or do you think you were happier being bigger but not hungry?

Try some black coffee, it's very good for appetite suppressant.

Eat if you know you are hungry. Breastfeeding means you will need more calories.
Ignoring your body when it says you are hungry is what will lead to binges.
so when you feel hungry, sit down, no distractions (tv, phone etc) and eat slowly. Pay attention to your body, it will let you know when you have had enough.

Ignore silly people telling you not to eat cheese and crackers 🙄

Ignoring your body when it says you are hungry is what will lead to binges.
so when you feel hungry, sit down, no distractions (tv, phone etc) and eat slowly

For people with healthy eating habits maybe but for people with eating disorders no. You can eat 'normally' and a standard diet but still not be able to stop binges or obsessing over food. People here who don't have experience of eating disorders generally need to be aware that it's very different for people that had/have them.

Pay attention to your body, it will let you know when you have had enough

Again no, the reason we have an obesity epidemic is because too many of us listen to our body. The body wants us to be fat due to the primitive brain for times of starvation. Also as a person with an eating disorder myself when I listen to my body it has me in my car eating huge binges of mcdonalds, boxes of quality street,cheesecakes....