Please help me find the solution

[PinkBikini]

I think I've determined part of my problem. I work night shift and I eat a great meal before work- either a stuffed omelette full of goodies or a chicken/veggie stirfry in butter. I'm full and satisfied when I arrive and I sip my coffee for a few hours. I often see treats in the break room when I arrive and put my lunch in the fridge but I am NEVER tempted when I arrive.

About 3-4 a.m. I have a lunch break and I always feel full when I'm done eating.

About 4:30 a.m., approx 1 hour or less after I finish my "lunch" I am starving for a treat. I feel like I need a treat. And when I cheat it's around about 5 a.m. I think this means that my lunch is not satisfying me to keep me going through the morning. I always feel "full" when I finish but I can't stave off cravings between 4 and 6 a.m. effectively. Often the stress mounts at that time as we try to wrap up the night's work before day shift arrives as well.

I used to take avocadoes in induction. I can start bringing 1/2 avocado each night again. I think the problem is that I need more fat in my lunch. It's full of lean proteins (tuna, eggs, deli meat slices) and usually a couple cups of spinach with a blue cheese dip. I thought the mayo with my eggs and tuna was enough to satisfy my fat needs but now I question whether it is.

Does anyone think this may be the problem? Can someone suggest more fatty foods that I can add into my lunches to help beat the cravings???

[hopejoy]

Are you still in induction?
Have you tried Mitzi's Pumpkin recipe...
3/4 c pumkin
2 oz cream cheese
spenda and cinnamon or pumpin spice...
mmmm pretty yummy...
microwave, mix up eat warm...
I put nuts in my pocket so I always have a little something if I get hungry...
liz

[PinkBikini]

I'm moving up the rungs of OWL now. At first I thought it was dairy cravings but even cutting back on that for the past 3-4 days I still had cravings at work last night and ended up with a powdered donut in my mouth at 5:45. I am also dealing with TOM issues right now but I notice the time of day when I cheat is always the same.

I tried straight pumpkin 2 weeks ago but the flavor was just awful. I was disappointed because I've always enjoyed small slices of pumpkin pie a few times/year.

If this isn't the solution then I don't know what else to do. I ought to be fine on this first rung of extra veggies right? I'm only up 10 carbs/day from induction (about 25/day) right now.

[PinkBikini]

I forgot to mention, I ate the pumpkin with cream cheese and spices nuked in the micro. I think it's that it doesnt taste the same as the sugar-filled pre made pumpkin pie filling that I've always had in the past.