Food craving when I'm not really hungry

[seawolf]

I recently had the "Sleeve Gastrectomy" procedure and though I am continue to lose weight, I still suffer with 'Head Hunger' or craving food and thought I would seek help from others who have had similar problems. I am open to any suggestions that can help me through my craving.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[dancinbr]

I recently had the "Sleeve Gastrectomy" procedure and though I am continue to lose weight, I still suffer with 'Head Hunger' or craving food and thought I would seek help from others who have had similar problems. I am open to any suggestions that can help me through my craving.

Thanks,
Rick

I see you had the sleeve. I had the gastric bypass. Both are tools. There still remains the fact that we must commit to a new lifestyle. First and foremost, make sure you are getting all the protein intake that you require; 80 grams. This will usually sate the hunger if there is any hunger. I have not been hungry since my surgery. I have heard my belly growl, groan and gurgle. However, I simply do NOT associate that with hunger. They are noises. As far as the "head hunger" I make sure I spread out my consumption over the day. If I need to reach for something I do. It is usually an Isopure protein drink or perhaps a soft boiled egg. I don't reach for the high caloric foods that I used to go for such as a hand full of chocolate chip cookies. BTW in the evening if I have calories to spare within my 1200 calorie budget I will have a treat such as one cookie or maybe a scoop of ice cream. I am not denying myself anything. I simply do not eat a pint of ice cream anymore or 6 cookies all at once. I have had no desire for alcohol at all. My non-alcoholic drink of choice is cranberry juice. On one occasion in New Orleans on vacation in December 2014 I did add one shot of vodka to my cranberry juice. I was very specific to the bar tender. I told them I truly wanted just ONE shot explaining that I was a bariatric patient. They were very understanding and complied.

Also, find other things to do to ward off the "head hunger". Go watch a DVD or turn on TV and watch a good show (they are hard to find) or go for a walk. The other thing I will do if I have to have something just to have something is I will have a glass of 1% milk.

Hope I helped.

Ralph

 

[Gr8k8]

Hi Seawolf. BTW Adorable baby girl, is she your daughter?

I just had the sleeve almost 6 weeks ago and I know what you mean. I actually tried a piece of chocolate candy that I was craving and two things happened, 1. I just didn't like the taste! Me the chocoholic could not stand the taste, loved that reaction, but the other reaction wasn't so likable. I got the worse nausea pain, I mean real pain, and then threw it all up like four times until I was dry heaving. Then I got the shivers and felt faint. Luckily I was already on the floor so I just hung out there in the bathroom until I felt like I could get up and lie down. I guess that is what dumping is and yes I never want to experience that again. So my advice to you is test the craving, and hope for the worst. If that doesn't happen, then follow Ralph's advice, I usually do. Just a word to the wise.

 

[Kim M]

The head hunger is an opportunity for us to check in to see what is really going on. I was feeling very frustrated the other day about a financial situation. It was real. The head hunger began. Something sweet would make me feel better. I went to the store purchased 1 thing that I don't like, but is sweet. When I let the food store, I started to break it down. How is eating this going to help this situation? It wasn't. Why am I letting this get to me? Broke it down further. You feel like whatever you do you can't get ahead. This makes me feel helpless, like a victim. Triggered other stuff. Within the 5 minute ride home I realized how eating the doughnut ( which I don't even like) would not solve my problem, but make it worse. I came home cut it in half put dish detergent on it and through it in the trash. I have been known to take food out of the garbage. I was then free to try and deal with the real issue. Long explanation, but I believe there is always something under the head hunger and the surgery gives us the opportunity to change what has never worked which is to turn to the food to solve our emotional issues. You obviously know the difference between real hunger and head hunger as you identified it. Some people journal, some go to support groups, others into therapy. Some distract themselves until it passes. You will need to find out what works for you. I just want you to know you are not alone.

 

[CALQL84HEALTH]

well it sounds like you have gotten some good advice. I am the type that if I eat a bite I will crave and give in to many bites. I have decided that the one bite just isn't worth it. Yes I give in from time to time and that is when it is important to remember that a little set-back is not the end all. Good luck with your journey.

 

[Tam Temp]

I recently had the "Sleeve Gastrectomy" procedure and though I am continue to lose weight, I still suffer with 'Head Hunger' or craving food and thought I would seek help from others who have had similar problems. I am open to any suggestions that can help me through my craving.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Tam Temp]

Im with u, im 4 weeks post rny and i was so bad with head hunger i felt like screaming and punching things but i will abmit it gets better little by little. I just try sugar free popcycles lol. They help sometimes.

 

[Keith Wells]

I recently had the "Sleeve Gastrectomy" procedure and though I am continue to lose weight, I still suffer with 'Head Hunger' or craving food and thought I would seek help from others who have had similar problems. I am open to any suggestions that can help me through my craving.

Thanks,
Rick

I had the bypass, What I have to do is go for a walk or find something to do to get my mind off of it.... Head hunger is the worst....

 

[april jarrell]

The head hunger is an opportunity for us to check in to see what is really going on. I was feeling very frustrated the other day about a financial situation. It was real. The head hunger began. Something sweet would make me feel better. I went to the store purchased 1 thing that I don't like, but is sweet. When I let the food store, I started to break it down. How is eating this going to help this situation? It wasn't. Why am I letting this get to me? Broke it down further. You feel like whatever you do you can't get ahead. This makes me feel helpless, like a victim. Triggered other stuff. Within the 5 minute ride home I realized how eating the doughnut ( which I don't even like) would not solve my problem, but make it worse. I came home cut it in half put dish detergent on it and through it in the trash. I have been known to take food out of the garbage. I was then free to try and deal with the real issue. Long explanation, but I believe there is always something under the head hunger and the surgery gives us the opportunity to change what has never worked which is to turn to the food to solve our emotional issues. You obviously know the difference between real hunger and head hunger as you identified it. Some people journal, some go to support groups, others into therapy. Some distract themselves until it passes. You will need to find out what works for you. I just want you to know you are not alone.

Hi, I'm new to the group. My name is April. I had the sleeve in Sept 2016 and have lost 81 pounds. But the past 3 months have been a mental nightmare for me. I eat all the time and crave things like sweets that I didn't crave before. I find myself binge eating as much as my sleeve will let me. I can't seem to get past this. I recently lost 3 family members in 3 months, one which I resuscitated, move my mother in,found her a house, and now to get back to what I know I need to do. Any help and suggestions are appreciated. I'm so terrified I will gain the weight back. I thin about found constantly. Thanns for listening.
April

 

[christine thompson]

The head hunger is an opportunity for us to check in to see what is really going on. I was feeling very frustrated the other day about a financial situation. It was real. The head hunger began. Something sweet would make me feel better. I went to the store purchased 1 thing that I don't like, but is sweet. When I let the food store, I started to break it down. How is eating this going to help this situation? It wasn't. Why am I letting this get to me? Broke it down further. You feel like whatever you do you can't get ahead. This makes me feel helpless, like a victim. Triggered other stuff. Within the 5 minute ride home I realized how eating the doughnut ( which I don't even like) would not solve my problem, but make it worse. I came home cut it in half put dish detergent on it and through it in the trash. I have been known to take food out of the garbage. I was then free to try and deal with the real issue. Long explanation, but I believe there is always something under the head hunger and the surgery gives us the opportunity to change what has never worked which is to turn to the food to solve our emotional issues. You obviously know the difference between real hunger and head hunger as you identified it. Some people journal, some go to support groups, others into therapy. Some distract themselves until it passes. You will need to find out what works for you. I just want you to know you are not alone.

Hey, love that response. Yes, it always is something more going on underneath the head hunger issue mainly the knee jerk reaction we have to stress. My sister recently had back surgery and I felt overwhelmed by the pressure to take care of her for the next three months while still trying to maintain my everyday routine. I found myself immediately wanting something to eat. Anything. But I had to remember I always feel like crap afterwards. It's just never the answer. I don't always know what the answer is, but I know food isn't it. Hope we all come out better when we make the right choices.