I'm struggling on this diet, am doing well during the day but the cravings are getting the better of me after 7pm every night. I would like to try an appetite suppressant in the evening to see if this can stop me eating mindlessly, i would be grateful for your suggestions. I was thinking of taking 5 htp to suppress my appetite, any thoughts on this? Thanking u all in advance.
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22 Answers
Don't think you're going to find anybody supporting the idea of appetite suppressant supplements here. The bigger question is what's your diet like? That will explain why you're hungry in the evenings. My guess not knowing anything: either too low fat or too low in calories.
Mindless eating though? Sit down and focus completely on your food. Do nothing else at the same time. Are you really hungry now? Yeah, I thought not. Now go take a walk. Not only did you avoid mindlessly eating, you burned off some extra energy.
or too low protein, or all of the above.
That's what I have tried doing for years... But, unfortunately (or fortunately) hunger is not psychological, it is physiological, or, rather, biochemical. Terry Wahls explained the mechanics of it brilliantly.
I will offer you advice that is kind of different but it really worked for me. I used to binge eat and was hungry all the time. After eight months of Paleo I am completely cured! I am happy to report that I no longer binge eat, have sugar/fruit/junk food cravings.
I think you need to give it time, because your body is finally getting the nutrients it needs so badly. It is taking it all just to make sure there is enough protein and everything else it needs.
So... when you are hungry - eat HEALTHY PALEO foods - vegetables and grass-fed lamb/beef or any other healthy alternative you have around the house. You might gain some weight in the beginning but BELIEVE ME at some point your body will stop craving and start releasing the weight. That moment is worth waiting for. No matter how hard it is now, it will get easier with time and you will be healthier and happier.
Yes, Matt is it possible to overeat. BUT if you keep eating healthy stuff, eventually it is going to stop. If you deprive yourself from eating, the cravings will get worse. There should be no "limit yourself" mantra for binge eaters either. The same thing was happening to me - I was overeating Paleo foods and gained some weight initially. The cravings will get less and less frequent over time. Over a long time, I must add. But I find that if I gave into my cravings, it really helped.
"when you are hungry - eat HEALTHY PALEO foods"--yup! I've got a history of dieting, disordered food relationships, etc. If I'm in a "crave-y" stage, you're likely to catch with with a bowl of grassfed ground beef mixed with spicy salsa, or even better, topped with a half an avocado.
Yep -- if you're hungry, EAT. Just keep it clean.
As much as we like to think the mantra "when you're hungry, eat" is simple and foolproof, it is entirely possible to overeat on paleo foods. It's unlikely the OP is truly overeating, but an answer to keep eating may not be the right one here. More info is needed.
Try eating a heavy protein and fat breakfast. I find this virtually squashes night cravings.
+1 for the importance of a good high protein start to the day.
Follow it with a moderate protein, high fat lunch and same for dinner. Save any carbs other than green veg for lunch and dinner. Then small to moderate amounts of a starchy veg or a fruit along with the green stuff, protein and fat.
+1 from me too!
There's already an issue with your question - you say you want an appetite suppressant to stop you eating mindlessly. Mindless eating is done regardless of hunger levels or not, and appetite suppressants are not the answer. I have been a serial evening binge eater, and I also recommend upping your overall protein intake and making your last meal of the day very protein-dense. Maybe eat this meal a little later in the day, have a cup of tea brewing while you eat, and when you go to bed turn off your computer/TV/lights - this makes it less easy to justify sneak out of bed for a snack. If you're still struggling with hunger you could try a protein shake before bed, although opinion on this seems to be pretty divided. I also advise making a big deal of your eating, as in, spend time cooking, laying the table, tidying, washing up, etc. It is a lot easier to overeat if you're just eating something out of the bag. To summarise: proteeiiiinnn! And tea.
Make sure you're outside around sunset when the sun color changes to more of an orange. Look into the sun for a while if you can, this will start off a cascade of hormones that should among other things suppress hunger. Also, keep the lights dim in your house after sunset and avoid TV. If you're going to be online, try putting that program F.lux on your computer.
As per Matt above you need to look at what is causing the cravings, i.e. what does your daily diet and activity consist of. Remember, those cravings are indicative a low blood glucose level.
Also, when in doubt about hunger you can try brushing your teeth.
However, for a brute force solution drink a shake with 50g whey protein isolate. It should induce a feeling of satiety for at least 3 hours.
i dunno... when i was doing protien shakes, i never felt any difference after drinking them... just did because my coach told me to. just my 2 cents.
not all protein shakes are the same. a lot of brands have fillers that can increase appetite rather than suppressing it. pure whey protein isolate has a clinically demonstrated effect on appetite.
What is wrong with eating after 7pm? I do it all the time.
seriously. i'm lucky if i get dinner in before 10pm most days.
i know for me, i have struggled with binge eating in the evenings, so now i get hungry even eating all paleo foods and a good quantity because of habit. it seems like real hunger, and sometimes i think it really is, but i know in my head it's usually hormones telling me to eat because i always have. i am trying to eat less and less to get away from the habit, and to make myself a cup of yummy tea instead. but i'm still working on it!
Get busy doing something before you know the cravings will hit. Get out of the house and away from the food. Schedule a yoga class, go for a walk. See if this helps.
I agree with Matt. I was experiencing the same thing. When i added a bit more fat to my day....especially @ 2:30, 3pm, i was much better able to resist the habit of evening snacking. i still think @ it, but if i listen to my body, i'm really not hungry. Goodluck!
When you feel like you are hungry or craving something, take these steps.
1.) Drink a good glass of cool refreshing water and wait 15 minutes.
2.) Water didn't help? Drop and give me 10 or take a walk.
3.) Still craving? If you're not hungry enough to eat plain salmon and unseasoned steamed vegetables, you're not hungry. Stay out of the kitchen until it's actually time for your meal.
4.) If all else fails, have a protein and fat snack like a piece of jerky with a couple chunks of avocado or a couple slices of turkey and avocado.
Especially in the beginning, it can be hard for your brain to adjust to being told "no" when it is asking for sugary foods. Giving into the cravings after your brain throws a "sugar tantrum" just defeats your efforts. It's a good idea to try and distract yourself from the cravings if you're not truly hungry.
Appetite suppressants are not the answer to your issues. Or any issues. You are doing this to get healthy and learning how to eat mindfully is part of it. Start going for a walk around craving time or find another distraction that requires concentration and provides enjoyment. I love reading, taking care of my nails, playing computer games, etc. Keep a list of distractions and, when a craving hits, pick one thing from your list and do that thing. You can do it. Good luck.
Hello Irene. I think we all want to eat in the evening when we come home after hard working day as food is a joy for us, especially if you used to eat and now you are on a diet. What if you will eat fruits, muesli or another light snack. But if you are interested in appetite suppresant I read from this site http://solutions4weightloss.com/appetite-suppressants/ that thaking diet pills don't provoke the feeling of hunger hence you don't need to eat.
Hello everyone. I have a question: user VB13334 said about Paleo foods. I have never heard about this. Is it a special type of food that you need to eat or are they supplements. I am going to buy Duromine appetite suppresant but only after my experience I will share if it was the best. But I am not sure if buying through internet is a good idea. Did anyone buy Duromine from http://solutions4weightloss.com/appetite-suppressants/ ?
When you mean "giving in to cravings" does that mean you pig out on bread, etc.?
The first step is to get rid of all non-paleo foods in the house if you can.
There is no portion control in the diet so you can eat all the fruits, etc. you want. Of course take it easy on nuts if you are trying to lose weight.
One set of pushups to failure. Your desire to eat will disappear.
The best appetite suppressant is no doubt the Roca Labs gastric no surgey. Yes, it is a bit on the expensive side but you get what you pay for. I lost 30 pounds in 1 month. Can't wait to reach 50 more :)
I'll give you two suggestions. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in the morning or in the evening. This suppresses my appetite.
Get Planter's redskin Spanish peanuts. The fiber, protein and fat will make you full and literally you cannot eat anything for a few hours. Keep them around whenever you feel like snacking. Just a few of them and you're full. Just try it.
They aren't only if you react to them.
Peanuts are hardly paleo.
Amino Acids- HLPA and L Glutamine are amazing
Magnesium Citrate definitely
at 6 PM drink a very large bottle of Fuji water
When asking questions like this, you will get much better answers when you include what you eat during a normal day, how much, and what your fat/protein/carb breakdown is.
But I can say this: if you're truly hungry in the evenings, you're hungry for a reason. Either you're treating paleo as another weight-loss diet and simply not eating enough during the day (especially fat and protein), or you have a nutritional deficiency that your body is trying to make up for. Probably both.
Part of paleo for a lot of people is getting back in touch with their bodies, and learning to recognize both genuine hunger and satiety--sometimes for the very first time in their lives. Suppressing appetite, then, means you're intentionally ignoring an important message from your body about what it needs.
On most weight loss diets, hunger is an enemy to be ignored and overcome. For paleo folks, it's information to be analyzed and used to solve a problem. So no--don't take the appetite suppressants. Figure out what your body needs in order to stop giving you hunger signals at night, and do that instead.
Two issues in appetite suppression.
One is appetite overall-- that should not be suppressed. It is natural and healthy for your body to seek out nutrition.
But if your body is craving processed carb junk then: magnesium, l-glutamine, strength training exercise can help with that.
If you do want carbs, how about sweet potato as a starch? (half a fist is one portion size) Always eat starches with a serving of fat to lower the blood glucose jump.
Or berries like blackberries or blueberries?
But a better question is, are you craving food or are you trying to feed a part of you that a cheeseburger or ice cream would not satisfy?
Call a friend, do jumping jacks, read a book, or do something else get yourself distracted for 20 minutes. If you still want the food after those 20 minutes, go for it and try to make healthier choices.
You know when you are truly hungry, just like you know when you need to pee. If you need to ask. You are not hungry. But now that I think about it, I need to pee...
If you are hungry you aren't eating right (even if you did drop all the bad things).
Remember it can take more than a couple of to break the carb fix. I found that by day 8-9 all my cravings were gone.
Other than that, like others said try some more of the good foods at dinner (or later if you must).
Allison_14
(414)
on August 23, 2013
at 07:37 PM
don't do appetite suppressants--I took oxypro elite for a few cycles and that stuff messed up my metabolism and hormones...better to drink more water. Are you consuming enough protein and fatty protein at that? That combo keeps me full and dulls any craving. You also might not be eating enough calories--if you are truly hungry.
Flavia
(24)
on August 14, 2012
at 02:12 PM
This appetite suppressant work best for me http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/new-bioapp-natural-appetite-suppressant_1_177629.html
Mambo
(345)
on July 22, 2012
at 05:58 PM
They aren't only if you react to them.
Canis_Minor
(4238)
on July 22, 2012
at 04:54 AM
Peanuts are hardly paleo.
paleohacks
(78467)
on June 30, 2012
at 01:03 AM
not all protein shakes are the same. a lot of brands have fillers that can increase appetite rather than suppressing it. pure whey protein isolate has a clinically demonstrated effect on appetite.
Rebekah
(560)
on June 29, 2012
at 08:29 PM
i dunno... when i was doing protien shakes, i never felt any difference after drinking them... just did because my coach told me to. just my 2 cents.
VB
(15515)
on June 29, 2012
at 07:24 PM
That's what I have tried doing for years... But, unfortunately (or fortunately) hunger is not psychological, it is physiological, or, rather, biochemical. Terry Wahls explained the mechanics of it brilliantly.
VB
(15515)
on June 29, 2012
at 07:22 PM
+1 from me too!
VB
(15515)
on June 29, 2012
at 05:31 PM
Yes, Matt is it possible to overeat. BUT if you keep eating healthy stuff, eventually it is going to stop. If you deprive yourself from eating, the cravings will get worse. There should be no "limit yourself" mantra for binge eaters either. The same thing was happening to me - I was overeating Paleo foods and gained some weight initially. The cravings will get less and less frequent over time. Over a long time, I must add. But I find that if I gave into my cravings, it really helped.
ThinnerStrength
(2204)
on June 29, 2012
at 04:56 PM
You know when you are truly hungry, just like you know when you need to pee. If you need to ask. You are not hungry. But now that I think about it, I need to pee...
Matt_11
(41747)
on June 29, 2012
at 03:47 PM
As much as we like to think the mantra "when you're hungry, eat" is simple and foolproof, it is entirely possible to overeat on paleo foods. It's unlikely the OP is truly overeating, but an answer to keep eating may not be the right one here. More info is needed.
Karen
(11581)
on June 29, 2012
at 03:33 PM
or too low protein, or all of the above.
karmapolicia
(540)
on June 29, 2012
at 03:29 PM
seriously. i'm lucky if i get dinner in before 10pm most days.
Amy_B_
(8014)
on June 29, 2012
at 03:05 PM
Yep -- if you're hungry, EAT. Just keep it clean.
staceychev
(3225)
on June 29, 2012
at 02:51 PM
"when you are hungry - eat HEALTHY PALEO foods"--yup! I've got a history of dieting, disordered food relationships, etc. If I'm in a "crave-y" stage, you're likely to catch with with a bowl of grassfed ground beef mixed with spicy salsa, or even better, topped with a half an avocado.
Karen
(11581)
on June 29, 2012
at 02:42 PM
+1 for the importance of a good high protein start to the day.
Karen
(11581)
on June 29, 2012
at 02:41 PM
Follow it with a moderate protein, high fat lunch and same for dinner. Save any carbs other than green veg for lunch and dinner. Then small to moderate amounts of a starchy veg or a fruit along with the green stuff, protein and fat.
Dags
(90)
on June 29, 2012
at 01:04 PM
Are you going to live the rest of your life eating suppressants? I doubt it! Eat more fat! Eat Virgin Coconut Oil. What are you craving for? If its healthy then eat it! For more Paleo Diet hacks: Best Appetite Suppressants?? - PaleoHacks.com http://paleohacks.com/questions/131380/best-appetite-suppressants#ixzz1zBf18qpe
Dags
(90)
on June 29, 2012
at 01:03 PM
Are you going to live the rest of your life eating suppressants? I doubt it! Eat for fat! Eat Virgin Coconut Oil. What are you craving for? If its healthy then eat it!
blueballoon
(4347)
on June 29, 2012
at 12:52 PM
Are you really hungry, or are you--as you put it above--eating mindlessly? In the former case--eat more! In the latter, an appetite suppressant won't help. (In any case, I'm not a fan of suppressants. I screwed up my body pretty badly in college doing that.)