My vegan days

[AlmostGodess]

Ok, so I tried to have some vegan days. So far I was not very successful for the simple reason that I am hungry all the time This, in turn, makes me feel dissatisfied with my choice. Is it normal to feel hungry all the time? How do you overcome your hunger?

[russianrocket]

There is no reason for you to be hungry really, if you are eating the same amount of calories as before. The issue with starting off vegan, is that most people really go down in calories with out realizing. They eat and eat and think," oh, all that eating, I must have enough calories by now"

[AlmostGodess]

On these days I am eating only fruits. Maybe my stomach does not like receiving so much acid and reacts by being hungry.

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by AlmostGodess

On these days I am eating only fruits. Maybe my stomach does not like receiving so much acid and reacts by being hungry.

Seriously, count the calories. You'll be very surprised. An apple is only 70 calories, yet it fills your stomach up pretty well. You'd have to eat almost THIRTY apples to get your daily average calorie needs.

I doubt it's the acid tho. Also, keep in mind that it barely takes any effort to digest fruit, vs what ever you were eating before, so it will be going through your stomach rather fast. That, and lack of calories, will easily make you feel hungry.

[AlmostGodess]

Thank you! I will keep this in mind. Hopefully it works out

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Seriously, count the calories. You'll be very surprised. An apple is only 70 calories, yet it fills your stomach up pretty well. You'd have to eat almost THIRTY apples to get your daily average calorie needs.

I doubt it's the acid tho. Also, keep in mind that it barely takes any effort to digest fruit, vs what ever you were eating before, so it will be going through your stomach rather fast. That, and lack of calories, will easily make you feel hungry.

[joey m]

Eating just fruit would never fill you up. You should also be consuming large quantities of vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts. Those things will help fill up more.

[AlmostGodess]

Originally Posted by joey m

Eating just fruit would never fill you up. You should also be consuming large quantities of vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts. Those things will help fill up more.

It's true that when I eat nuts I am not that hungry. Thanks

[Cochonette]

Try some pseudograins like quinoa and amaranth with some veggies. Also, a bowl of lentil soup always fills me up. A local store here sells these great "Power Sandwiches" which are a good 350 calories. I've been eating them a lot lately.

[AlmostGodess]

Originally Posted by Cochonette

Try some pseugrains like quinoa and amaranth with some veggies. Also, a bowl of lentil soup always fills me up. A local store here sells these great "Power Sandwiches" which are a good 350 calories. I've been eating them a lot lately.

Oh, yes, I completely forgot about soups! Thank you!

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by joey m

Eating just fruit would never fill you up. You should also be consuming large quantities of vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts. Those things will help fill up more.

Actually, it can. You simply have to eat enough--I agree with russianrocket. The reason those other things fill you up (with the exception of vegetables) is because they're higher in calories. Nuts and seeds are also very rich in fat, which is harder to digest and therefore makes you feel full.

[joelr]

I don't know exactly what your protein requirements are but I know when I get too low on protein I feel a different much more intense hunger than if I'm just hungry for carbs.

It's the bodys warning signal that you're burning muscle. I've ignored it a bit lately and sure enough I lost muscle.

Try eating some food on your diet that's really high in protein when you get too hungry and see what happens.

Even a measly 1 scoop of protein powder plus water erases my severe hunger pains for a good ~2 hrs.
But when I eat carbs I get that "carb hungry" thing again quicker.

[aelle]

Originally Posted by joelr

I don't know exactly what your protein requirements are but I know when I get too low on protein I feel a different much more intense hunger than if I'm just hungry for carbs.

Agreed. This was one of the things I discovered fast as a young vegan: what does not enough protein feel like and what does not enough iron feel like. If you feel "full but still hungry" as you leave the table, then it's likely a sign of lack of protein. Get yourself some hummus or nut spread.

[AlmostGodess]

secretsOstolen, joelr and aelle, thanks a lot for your input!

[Lena Carpenter]

I'd like to add a different dimension to it, calories and quantity of food aside. There is psychological satisfaction that comes from eating foods you desire. I find that when I eat foods, that satisfy me more, I feel like I had a feast, no matter the quantity. For example, I've been craving seaweeds lately and when I have some, either in my salad or a spread, then I feel satisfaction, even though seaweeds by themselves provide very little calories. Other than that, overtime you really get used to the lighter quality of food and feel good not being stuffed after a meal.