Fight Hunger to Stay on Track

If you’ve tried to lose weight before, you are probably all too familiar with the intense hunger that can accompany many weight loss diets. Your breakfast may leave you feeling hungry before you even get to work. Lunch might be just big enough to stave off hunger until that mid-afternoon meeting when your stomach starts growling loud enough for the entire company to hear. And dinner? Well, hopefully you’re good at sleeping on an empty stomach…

But that all changes now! You can make choices to fight hunger while you lose weight, and you can do it while eating great-tasting foods. Weight loss is never easy, but eating to reduce hunger can make it a lot easier to stick to your good intentions. Here are a few tips!

Hydrate First

Did you know thirst can feel like hunger? That is, your body might be telling you you’re hungry, while what you really need is something to drink. Water and flavored water are usually your best bet. Next time you feel hungry, ask yourself if you’ve been drinking enough. If you’re not hitting your 8 to 10 cups a day, you might be thirsty, not hungry.

Load Up on Protein

Protein does more than fueling your muscles and boosting your metabolism. As if that weren’t enough, protein helps suppress hunger, so it’s a good choice to include whenever you have something to eat. Chicken breast, tuna, cottage cheese, and beans are some standard go-to’s, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to protein! There’s no reason you can’t start your day with some Protein Oatmeal, and end it with Soft Baked Protein Brownies.

Don’t Forget Fiber

Fiber slows digestion and reduces blood sugar swings. That adds up to less hunger for hours after you eat. You can get fiber from fruits, vegetables, nuts, toasted soybeans, and whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice. Try to include some at each meal and snack. For a super quick hit of fiber, try a BariatricPal Fiber Drink – sugar-free, and always refreshing.

You’re more likely to reach for whatever you have on hand, so make sure your fiber-filled snacks are easier to grab than temptations like cookies and chips. Keep some ready to eat washed fruits and cut vegetables in your fridge so they’re the first thing you see when you open the fridge door. When you’re hungry, frozen grapes, baby carrots, and apple slices can be refreshing and appealing snacks.   

Eat Before You’re Starving

Don’t try to ignore those hunger pangs. The next time you start to get hungry, reach for a protein-packed snack. It can be as simple as a hard-boiled egg, a container of Greek yogurt, or a small handful of pistachio nuts. Protein bars are even easier, and a nice way to satisfy a sweet tooth at the same time.

Staying disciplined on a weight loss diet can be nearly impossible if you’re always starving or feeling deprived, so it’s best to design your diet to prevent those feelings. Luckily, you have an advantage with a bit of planning and some great-tasting and convenient help from The BariatricPal Store. It’s time to start loving your weight loss diet almost as much as you love losing weight!