Is it a good idea to eat even when you aren't hungry?

[love777]

Is it a good idea to have small snacks in between meals so you aren't too hungry at lunch or dinner, Even though at the time you aren't really hungry?

[kellyf48]

I try to because i get over hungry and watch out! On the days i dont feel like eating i try to anyway because after a few days when i do get hungry i will eat anything!!

[losetocruise]

Atkins said clearly in his book, not to eat if not hungry except for a small protein snack with vitamins and/or meds. One of the reasons, hesays the diet works so well, is that ketosis kills the hunger pangs and you tend not to eat so much.

[clogger]

I agree with losetocruise. However, if by chance you're "never hungry" you should still eat to get nutrition and fuel for your body. I try not to get too hungry before eating. There's nothing wrong with eating several smaller meals throughout the day, but there's also nothing wrong with just eating three square meals.

Good luck to you!

[TheDogAteMyName]

I eat small snacks throughout the day on top of three meals. I eat little nibbles of things here and there just to keep my body going. If I only ate upon being hungry, I wouldn't eat because I'm not hungry.

[not2late]

The first rule of Induction, according to Dr. Atkins, says "do not skip meals or go more than 6 waking hours without eating."

This doesn't mean you should have a full meal if you don't feel hungry for your usual lunch hour. It does mean to eat a small snack, like a hard boiled egg or a chicken wing or a few veggie sticks with dip.

[kellyf48]

Thats it not2late! It doesnt work if you do not eat! You crash and become starved and your body hangs on to the fat thinking you are starving.

[APanthesilia]

Originally Posted by TheDogAteMyName

If I only ate upon being hungry, I wouldn't eat because I'm not hungry.

I agree! On this WOE I tend not to be hungry and I have to remind myself to eat! When I don't I come in well under 1000 calories a day (sometimes even 500 or 600) and that's not healthy either! So I eat sometimes when I'm not hungry to make sure that I'm getting all I need. I try to stick to a routine of when to eat rather than just not eat until I'm hungry because, just like Kelly said, if I wait until I'm hungry I'm usually overly hungry and I'll just eat everything!! Also I found that when I was just eating when I was hungry and wasn't getting in enough calories I wasn't losing weight! I needed more fat so it wasn't working for me. I was also tired so I didn't exercise as much! I find it's much better to make sure I'm eating even if I'm not especially hungry.

But that being said, you shouldn't stuff yourself or eat a full meal if you're really not hungry- have a snack if it has been awhile and that should keep you going!

[sallyseachange]

If you're not hungry and six hours haven't elapsed since your last meal then don't eat. If six hours have passed and you're not hungry, then eat a small, nutritious snack. This keeps your metabolism revved.

[joee5]

Peanuts, sunflower seeds is what I snack on if I absolutely need something between meals. God Bless, Joe