I just want to eat!

[HotMommy]

I'm not hungry but I want food! I keep getting angry I "can't" eat. This really isn't normal for me. I had a lot of protein and fats throughout the day. No trigger foods. I'm not really craving sweets, I'm craving anything I'm about a week on less than 20 carbs. 4 quarts of water. It's all I can think about. Does anyone have any advise to get rid of this unusually emotional want for food?

[LowCarbinChica]

take a sleeping pill and try to zonk out.

[ozdancer]

Rebecca is TOM on it's way? I get days like this before TOM. There's been advise about different suppliments - calcium, L-cartenine (sp?) I think for both TOM & cravings. I'm sure someone more knowledgable on these will chime in. Good luck.

[steady]

Originally Posted by HotMommy

I'm not hungry but I want food! I keep getting angry I "can't" eat. This really isn't normal for me. I had a lot of protein and fats throughout the day. No trigger foods. I'm not really craving sweets, I'm craving anything I'm about a week on less than 20 carbs. 4 quarts of water. It's all I can think about. Does anyone have any advise to get rid of this unusually emotional want for food?

I have this problem all the time,
I have trouble accepting that it really doesn't take alot of food to fill me up, yet often I want/like to eat. Usually it is just the habit of eating and/or yes, the emotional want of food. It is a really problem, especially around TOM. Most of the time, I work it out in my head and find what I really need (usually comfort) but still let myself eat IF I really feel deprived or in need. I take on a volumetric tactic like a big salad mostly lettuce, a bit of my fav full fat dressing, some meat (bacon, beef, ham), and a bit of cheese (feta, goat, or parmesan).

Bottom line, before eating at least figure out why you are "hungry" and choosing a strategy to not completely derail or the tactic with the least impact. It is OK to eat if you really feel it is better to eat. OTOH, sometimes denying this "hunger" food can be a better method because it build confidence in handling the phantom hunger.

[Looweewoo]

Originally Posted by HotMommy

It's all I can think about. Does anyone have any advise to get rid of this unusually emotional want for food?

It's hard to change what you think or feel but it's easy to change what you are doing. I have found that if I'm stuck in a loop mentally, I can break the chain of thinking simply by doing something. It can't be some mindless task, it has to be something interesting that requires my attention (although a mindless task is better than nothing). For me it has to be something that gets me out of the kitchen, away from the computer, and preferably out of the house.

I like house plants so sometimes I go walking around town hunting for something to take a cutting from, or finally potting up some cutting that I had been rooting. I've learned card tricks, how to do a rubics cube, how to play the tin whistle and ukulele, how to knit and how to tie about 200 sailors knots.

LOL... I get stuck in my brain a lot.

On an experimental note, I've been reading and trying the suggestions in "The Diet Cure" which I think is also called "The Mood Cure". The premise being that certain amino acids are precursors for brain chemicals that we need, in order to mediate such preoccupying thoughts and feelings. The supplements are fairly cheap and easy to find, so I figured it was worth a shot. Don't know yet if it's working for me, but others seem to find help.

HTH

[skeopple]

Whoah, Lou. I almost understood your last paragraph but.............what would the supplement be called EXACTLY? WalMart?

Inquiring minds........

Oh, and, "Good morning".

[Looweewoo]

The ones I am taking are L-Glutamine, L-Tyrosine, and L-Tryptophan in the form of 5HTP. I believe the 5HTP is the important one for Brain Lock. I would have to check that when I've had my coffee....

Yes, you can get them at Walmart or Health food Stores and Good Morning to you too!

[HerBoudoir]

I get like that sometimes. I *know* I'm not actually hungry but I want something to eat - this is when I'm most likely to go overboard on allowable foods, I find (and one of the reasons why I keep nuts out of the house for the most part).

The one thing that helps is distracting myself with a hobby that absorbs me. Unfortunately homework is a trigger rather than a cure, but things like doing cross stitch or another craft project like that, or taking a hot bubble bath with a book, or going for a walk helps.

Lou, I'm in the process of teaching myself to knit as well. My goal is to be good enough at it that when I get to my goal weight, I can make myself a couple of fab sweaters.

[Looweewoo]

OT: Knitting. I'm not that ambitious. I just want to make some Tuques and Balaclavas that actually fit my huge head. And maybe some comfy socks.

[AprilW]

Originally Posted by ozdancer

Rebecca is TOM on it's way? I get days like this before TOM. There's been advise about different suppliments - calcium, L-cartenine (sp?) I think for both TOM & cravings. I'm sure someone more knowledgable on these will chime in. Good luck.

So do I. I am going through it now. I know I ate more legal stuff yesterday than I usually do. I'll have to try 5HTP and see if that helps. It drives me crazy too.

[jezzie]

Originally Posted by HotMommy

Does anyone have any advise to get rid of this unusually emotional want for food?

Wish I did. I could write a book and get rich. Try stocking lots foods you don't
particularly care for. I'm more inclined to eat when facing a delicious leftover.

[Blood Sugar 101]

This sounds hormonal to me. Is it about a week before TOM?

If it's hormonal NOTHING will work but waiting the day or so until it passes. It will pass.

Drugging yourself to deal with food cravings is an extremely bad idea, as most pharmaceutical drugs that mess with mood also cause weight gain and are habit forming (especially sleep drugs!)

I second the idea of keeping foods you crave out of the house.

[skeopple]

Originally Posted by Looweewoo

The ones I am taking are L-Glutamine, L-Tyrosine, and L-Tryptophan in the form of 5HTP. I believe the 5HTP is the important one for Brain Lock. I would have to check that when I've had my coffee....

Yes, you can get them at Walmart or Health food Stores and Good Morning to you too!

Thanks for doing that research, Lou. And for the names of the supplements.

Originally Posted by HerBoudoir

I get like that sometimes. I *know* I'm not actually hungry but I want something to eat - this is when I'm most likely to go overboard on allowable foods, I find (and one of the reasons why I keep nuts out of the house for the most part).

The one thing that helps is distracting myself with a hobby that absorbs me. Unfortunately homework is a trigger rather than a cure, but things like doing cross stitch or another craft project like that, or taking a hot bubble bath with a book, or going for a walk helps.

Lou, I'm in the process of teaching myself to knit as well. My goal is to be good enough at it that when I get to my goal weight, I can make myself a couple of fab sweaters.

I taught myself to knit; with mostly online stuff. Still can't follow a pattern of instructions tho. Taught myself to crochet too. I like occupying my brain.

Originally Posted by jezzie

Wish I did. I could write a book and get rich. Try stocking lots foods you don't
particularly care for. I'm more inclined to eat when facing a delicious leftover.

Yummmm, leftovers! Could you write a book on "Portion Control"!??? That's what I need.

[maryvit]

I have days like that ... never been able to figure it out (i'm long past having to worry about TOM) .. seems like since i've hit my goal - i have wayyyy too many of those days .. wanting food when i'm not even hungry!! it kinda scares me ....so I don't give in at all.. i just get GRUmpy

[skeopple]

Grumpy is good) Love the puppy in your avi!