How do I stop myself wanting to eat all the time?

[TeenLifeMum]

I’m calorie counting and reducing carbs. I’m eating sensibly and am not hungry. However, I’m thinking about food all the time and wanting to eat. It’s like a habit and I don’t know how to distract myself. I’m going to try having a cup of tea but really I want a buttery Nutella sandwich… but I’m not hungry. So frustrated with my brain because although I’m feeling strong enough to resist tonight, other nights will be harder.

I have a family wedding in a week and want to be under 12st by then (currently 12st exactly). This week I’m determined to lose at least 1lb and that means no binging.

Any tips are very welcome.

Pure willpower until you make it a habit. Your priority is to lose weight and be healthier so if that is really true, you will resist!

It also helps if you know the times of day you are most tempted so you have something to distract you then so either drink water, eat a piece of fruit or veg or do something like go for a walk or do a puzzle or read a book.

Usually it’s straight after work while I’m about to cook dinner but am starving (okay, that one I am hungry but I’m making dinner so it’s not long to wait), then evenings. But work from home days can be constantly wanting food, or like yesterday, no time to even eat and hardly drank (I know that’s bad but I kept getting urgent calls). I know it is in my head.

WFH wise try a rule not to eat outside meal times unless you are actually hungry and water/tea doesn't work and then only fruit or veg.

Also make your packed lunch just as if you were going out to work and you can only have food from that the whole day.

Try finding low calorie high volume options to help curb the cravings until they go. My go to is an Aldi version of a twister ice cream (47cal) or Greek yogurt, crushed up meringue and strawberries ;strawberries are around 50 cal per 100g and a meringue is 50 cal per nest and then maybe 70 Cals for the yogurt). I found that once I swapped all my treats to something like this I started to be less bothered about treats. I also no longer buy anything like pudding so I can’t be tempted to eat it.

Distract yourself with something and keep busy. Go for a walk, make a phone call, clean the bathroom - anything! It's mostly boredom or habit if you aren't actually hungry.

I’ve lost half a stone so it’s going okay… just need to keep going!

Agree willpower and now I’m 2wks in I’m not as hungry and have stopped picking at things. Helps the days I’m in the office as I take my food in and ignore any cakes!

I have the same issue, constantly thinking about yummy food when i’m not dieting or adjusting to a diet.

I can manage to get to a point of no cravings but then as soon as I am for any reason tempted, I’m back to my normal self and constantly thinking about food again.

I listened to an (Oh I can’t remember his first name, I think it’s Andrew?) Huberman podcast, he is a neurobiologist or similar at Stanford and he has a health podcast available on Youtube.

Ive basically made a list of all the stuff he suggests and I believe a big part if reducing cravings especially for carby or sugary stuff is to keep blood sugar stable.

One thing he mentioned which I’ve been looking into is the amino acid Glutamine; apparently it seems to reduce or even eliminate cravings. Mine has been delivered but I haven’t used it yet as i’m PMSing and travelling with work so i’m eating like an absolute pig 🐷

Ive looked it up research wise and it seems to be supported by small studies for both food cravings and alcohol withdrawal; anecdotally in reddit and the like I’ve heard some people say it is effective for them and the best way to take it is in the morning on an empty stomach.

Will give it a go probably starting next Monday if i’m being realistic with myself!

Sorry to clarify I can get to a point if no cravings if I cut everything out and power through the first few days, and eat loaads if protein instead.