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handling cravings

mam

Member
Happy New Year to all! Wondering if anyone has some good tips to handle hunger cravings- my appetite is back. I recently heard it's important to add foods that make you chew to get that feeling of satisfaction...has anyone heard this? I'm planning on throwing some almonds and cashews into yogurt to see if that helps me. I'm still aiming to lose 20 to 25 more pounds. I had started eating sandwiches with wheat bread but now use lettuce in place of the bread to reduce carb intake and keep calories down. I've been stuck at the same weight for several months now so am trying to break my plateau. thanks everyone for any suggestions!!
 
Hm. I am interested to see what the seasoned people on this support group contribute to this thread. Here's something I found online with four tips: 4 Tips To Curb Food Cravings After Bariatric Surgery - Olde Del Mar. I have a friend at work that crochets the cutest stuff. Now I'm thinking that might be a good thing for me to keep my hands busy so they stay out of trouble.
I did crocheting after I quit smoking in 93. Had to stop when my wrists started hurting to avoid karple tunnel. I loved working with string instead of yarn I put several pieces in the county fair. I got like 3 firsts and 1 second.
 
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These are great suggestions, thank you! I see your point about the nuts. Is a handful of almonds (say 10) really bad to add? My thinking was that although they are high in calories and fat, they are also high in fiber and I can always use more fiber. I'm making a call to the surgeon's office today to schedule an appointment with the team psychologist to see if he can also help me flesh out because i am wondering if it's also a "mind" thing. I have never tried to crochet before, that's a good idea! To keep the mind and hands out of trouble is a never ending struggle :)
 
Both myself and my nutritionist will have to disagree with the idea that nuts are bad. They ARE high in calories ( 170/oz) so stick to the suggested serving size and only 4 servings per week.

Nuts have unsaturated fats and plant sterols, both of which help lower bad cholesterol. Fiber to help you stay full longer. Omega 3 for heart health. Etc etc

And you are correct about the chewing thing. That crunch is amazing. I like to add some to my berries and yogurt. I also sometimes add pumpkin or sunflower seeds or just a healthy dry cereal. A half of a serving is usually enough for that.

Fresh veggies also offer up a nice crunch factor. I make my own (fat free) hummus and use sliced radishes, carrots and cucumber in place of pita chips.

Hunger does come back, although not as strong as before imo. Its important to bulk up your diet with healthy options rather than just adding food. Also, I was told to eat 5-6 small meals a day and I still do that. Although I guess most might be considered snacks lol But, for me, eating more often means I'm never so hungry I overeat. I might make a bad choice here and there but that's different lol
 
This discussion thread has made me realize I should check in with the dietician in my surgeon's office. if i recall, she was not a fan of nuts, but liked seeds. we all eat different things - i like the idea of sliced radishes, that's something new for me. I think i will experiment with a few trials - using more chia seeds and pumpkin seeds are manageable.
 
I agree with Missy regarding the nuts. I also tend to eat a small amount about every 3 hours. I’ve found that if I stick with more protein dense foods, instead of quick digesting carbs, I eat less at a sitting and feel satiated much sooner with the smaller stomach. I also like to take the opportunity to get my water in when I’m feeling hungry or craving something. Seems to fill the baby stomach right up!
 
Nuts have monounsaturated fatty acids...good fats. Still, they can be high in calories and should only be eaten in moderation. I love a serving of nuts from time to time. Sometimes they hit the spot like nothing else could. I have a salt restriction, so eat the unsalted ones and never realized before just how sweet they actually are naturally.
 
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