Giving up coffee/soda/tea for water-- feel great but hungry?

[Writertype]

I decided to try drinking pretty much nothing but water (starting about this past Sunday, still eating normally), and I have noticed a big change. I feel better, am less winded when I exercise, feel like my head is clearer, and wake up in the morning easier. Up until that point I drank lots of coffee-- usually one or two large cups of caffeinated a day and two or three decaf, as well as juices, teas, and the occasional soda. I didn't drink that much plain water.

The strange thing is I feel pretty hungry most of the day. I am eating as I did before I made the change, and actually eating more now because of the hunger. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas about what is happening?

[sirkinm]

Originally Posted by Writertype

Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas about what is happening?

Caffeine is an appetite suppressent. Ever have a caffeine high suddenly wear off, and then you're famished?

I use the appetite-suppressing quality strategically -- after a meal, instead of another helping or dessert, I'll have a coffee.

[Writertype]

Originally Posted by sirkinm

Caffeine is an appetite suppressent. Ever have a caffeine high suddenly wear off, and then you're famished?

I use the appetite-suppressing quality strategically -- after a meal, instead of another helping or dessert, I'll have a coffee.

Wow, good call. I didn't think of caffeine as an appetite suppressant. Still, if I only had one or two cups in the morning I wonder why I didn't get hungry in the afternoon/evening?

Anyhow, any suggestions about what to do? I don't really want to go back to drinking coffee (mostly because of the energy level benefits of being coffee-free) but if I keep eating like I am I will pack on the fat fast.

[sirkinm]

Hmmm... You could take up smoking...?

Nah, not a good idea. You might have to switch-up your eating habits a bit. While coffee was helping to moderate your appetite in the past, now you have to put a little more conscious effort into it. Personally, I see a lot of people fail by not eating a substantial breakfast, and then pigging out once their calorie deficit catches up to them later in the evening.

[Zanriel]

I cut out soda, coffee and tea about 4 months ago. It was tough at first but now I've gotten used to it. I drink a lot more liquid now than I used to - now in the form of water. I'm not sure how big the cup is I use but I think it's probably at least 16 ounces, maybe closer to 24. I drink that for breakfast and I usually have a bowl of granola, and by the time lunch rolls around I'm rarely all that hungry. Then when I get home I'll have another big cup of water, and I usually eat a small supper. So... I haven't really had much of a problem with appetite after cutting out caffeine.

[sirkinm]

BTW, since we're on the topic of coffee, I had to severely limit my intact of my beloved brew until I finally found something that helped with the resulting acid reflux: Prelief. I found it in my local drug store, but you can also buy it online. It totally takes the acid out of food and drink.

[carolmerlo]

Originally Posted by Writertype

I decided to try drinking pretty much nothing but water (starting about this past Sunday, still eating normally), and I have noticed a big change. I feel better, am less winded when I exercise, feel like my head is clearer, and wake up in the morning easier. Up until that point I drank lots of coffee-- usually one or two large cups of caffeinated a day and two or three decaf, as well as juices, teas, and the occasional soda. I didn't drink that much plain water.

The strange thing is I feel pretty hungry most of the day. I am eating as I did before I made the change, and actually eating more now because of the hunger. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas about what is happening?

Some of it may be just the change. Have you tried alkaline water? It may help. Also, when you drink your water you may have to drink a lot at once to get a full feeling. Caffeine is definitely a stimulant which raises blood sugar, so takes away hunger.

If you try Green Tea, you will be able to get some of the benefits of the coffee but with the added benefit of antioxidants.

[MightySunTzu]

I gave up coffee too and one of the drinks i have instead is fresh juice and a nutrient dense vegetable broth (from juiced vegetables). Come to think of it, i actually don't drink water any more .

[vmiller]

If you're not a vegetarian or vegan, which I know many people here are, try adding more animal protein and fat to your diet.

Are you having sugar cravings?

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by Writertype

I decided to try drinking pretty much nothing but water
(starting about this past Sunday, still eating normally), and I have noticed a big change. I feel better, am less winded when I exercise, feel like my head is clearer, and wake up in the morning easier. Up until that point I drank lots of coffee-- usually one or two large cups of caffeinated a day and two or three decaf, as well as juices, teas, and the occasional soda. I didn't drink that much plain water.

The strange thing is I feel pretty hungry most of the day. I am eating as I did before I made the change, and actually eating more now because of the hunger.

Consider:
What passion, as in a healthy sport, etc. do you practice?

What need, in your mind, drives your hunger?

What is your 'blood-type'? many people are unaware of how this also makes a difference

Are all your blood-values WNL?