Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Stuggling, need help with head hunger!



Recommended Posts

I have to tell you I'm gross! I drink one every

Morning room temp and I like it! :P

Don't judge it's winter!!

As a matter of fact so does my husband!

And he just told me he stole 4 of my shakes today for his mountain biking buddies and they loved them 0_o

He better get his ass to the store !!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know that Protein drinks are not the first choice for people but.... The premier pre made shakes are "shelf stable" and don't need refrigeration so I keep them on hand when I am out and about.

Just a thought :)

I'm going to have to try those....heard nothing but good things about them

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I had someone suggest to me before, but its difficult for me to eat small meals during the day, because I'm a teacher and my planning period isnt until 11:45am....so I have to go from 7:45am to 11:45am just drinking.....and drinking just goes straight through me....I'm now trying to keep turkey Jerky at my desk, but now I think I will keep nuts now.....I need things easy to get to, sneak and munch on without refrigeration....

life of a teacher

You could consider seeds as well, some nuts are high calorie and higher fats, seeds are a fat source as well, some have good fats that are considered healtiest, I like Almonds, pumkin seeds,chia seeds, walnuts too, keeping some moderation on it all. I also eat edamame thats dry roasted and has a good Protein content, recently tried something called, chia chips and mushroom chips at an on line I use for a few items and it's all about nuts and Snacks, yet, there is allot of caution I take when selecting whats good as this site also has got to many bad things that are way bad for a healthy weight loss regiem.

http://www.globalhea.../healthy-seeds/

http://www.globalhea...h/healthy-nuts/

http://www.nuts.com/...chia-chips.html

http://www.nuts.com/...d-unsalted.html

http://www.nuts.com/...s/mushroom.html

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My suggestion is along the same lines as above post. I would like to recommend eating some energy squares from nuts.com. There are so many flavors to choose from and eating one square has 60 calories. They are loaded with good carbs and good fats, which might be what your body is craving. I also ate a Protein Bar yesterday for the first time since surgery and, boy, was it good. It satisfied and was about 170 calories. I was surprised that it didn't trigger a desire for more like Protein Bars sometimes did for me pre surgery. I got them from costco and they are called Stabilyze. They have 170 calories, 16 grams of carbs, 9 grams of fat and 10 grams of Protein. Not the best ratios of Nutritional DV amounts, but not too bad either. There are many different protein bars out there that are more low carb and higher protein. I wanted to try these because they are designed for the nutritional needs of diabetics, not too far from our own nutritional needs as post op sleevers. You might try a protein bar when you have a craving, just be careful about the sugar content. Also I have found an edamame salad from SAMs club that is really filling and satisfies. It has good protein and some good fats in it. About 3-4 ounces is really good as a snack.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd like to put a plug in for natural Peanut Butter, the kind that must be mixed and then refrigerated. I get a small bowl of it and use thick pretzel sticks to dip it out. Hits the spot just about every time. Lots of good fats and Protein.

Here's a big build-up on a bodybuilder's website:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/other31.htm

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have to have my Snacks. I love the cocoa roasted almonds in 100 calorie packs. Then I can't eat more than I am supposed to . they are only 4 carbs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i am struggling with head hunger too and I am noticing a carb connection. I am trying to keep my caloried below 1000 a day. I do great in the morning, starting off with premeir Protein Shake for Breakfast and a meat/cheese/lettuce roll up for lunch but by 2 pm I am craving carbs BAD and it goes downhill from there. I did great last week by adding pb and celery Snacks in the afternoon. I have been snacking on dried apricots as well, is that causing more cravings? I don't understand why sometimes it is so easy to keep that monster undercontrol and sometimes it kicks my butt!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow, am I glad I found my way back (yet again) to this forum today of all days and find this thread. I have been getting my butt kicked huge for 5 months (yes, I said months .. ack!!!!) by head hunger. I am so ridiculously beyond frustrated and every time I get my little head hunger under control for a day or two, whoop there it goes again.

I'm usually really great during the work day but any time I'm at home ... yeah, not so much and it's making me nuts. I am great at taking and planning my day out, but I don't stick to it the second I walk through the door at home. It's not that I'm making poor food choices; I'm just making too many food choices. I drink my shakes, have good healthy Snacks and meals and rarely have anything sugary or fatty. Here's the other thing that I realized actually earlier today, and the reason I reminded myself to come back to the forum that has always been a lifeline for me ... I think I've identified why I have my head hunger. Real long story short, 2 years ago I broke up with my BF of 5 years (he told me I was too overweight for him). I had dated off an on since that time but nothing serious. I had my surgery in June 2012 and decided I was just going to focus on me. Well, 5 months ago bam, this amazing guy drops into my life and I've been dating him ever since - he is wonderful, supportive, everything great, etc. Now did you notice the trend? I've been seeing him for 5 months ... and I have been on a 5 month stall / head hunger bonanza.

So I think I've identified the problem (kind of). I know it happens only when I'm at home, I know that it's been happening since I started dating again. I track, I plan ... I fall off that plan every single time when I am at home. How the heck do you get around that kind of head hunger?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe in many cases here there may be a misdiagnosis. It is not head hunger, but just plain out HUNGER. With this surgery most of us fall into a 'anorexic' type of thinking. Oh Lord, if I eat one bite over 700, 800, 1000 calories a day I'm going to get fat again. If you had anyone else other than a WLS person tell you that they led a normal life and only consumed 800 calories a day, you would say that there was something wrong with their thinking. Living the rest of our lives in starvation is not feasible. After all the excess fat is gone the body is going to HAVE to have some fuel to burn. If it does not get it from what you consume it will start to burn its own muscles and vital organs. I have upped my calories to 1000 and actually consume closer to 1200 a day. I am finding it almost impossible to function on less than that now. I am still actively losing and I only have 5# of excess weight left. My body is obviously needing this. I would also like to note that generally I do not exercise. If you do, you are going to need more. When I have a hard day, I have to eat more or I will literally get faint. So I guess I took the long way around to say this; we were not told we would NEVER be hungry again. If you are feeling hungry maybe your body is trying to tell you something...FEED ME!! Remember being anorexic is just as dangerous as being fat. We were not looking to trade one eating disorder for another. Just keep it in check. Add a 100 extra calories a day in the form of a good quality fat/protein combo and see how much better you feel.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine is plain ordinary head hunger. It's for the most part, only at night. There's a lot of good healthy Snacks, but they add up in I snack all evening long. It's like after dinner, even if I am full, my mind wanders and starts planning snacks for later.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Its been almost a week now and I think I've gained some control over it....I've managed to keep my eating to around 1200 calories a day, sometimes I go a little over sometimes a little under....

I've lost the 7 pounds I had gained...and now I am 0.3 pounds away from being 100 pounds lost!!

Even though I haven't hit 100+ pounds lost yet, I'm still celebrating

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×