Need eating help - always hungry!

[denna]

I'm usually an occasional lurker, but I was hoping you might be able to help me out. I have a 2 month old and am trying to lose the baby weight. I started actively dieting about a week or two ago, but I am always hungry. I feel like I'm eating a ton of healthy food (especially for breakfast), but it's just not filling me up. I am a big breakfast eater so morning and early afternoon is when I'm having the most problems. I am breastfeeding so that is part of the problem, I'm sure, I just can't think of other healthy options to fill me up. Here is what my normal day of eating looks like:
Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1 egg white with meat, cheese, and spinach; a piece of fruit (usually banana, pear, or strawberries and blueberries); large glass of milk (sometimes two)
Snack: greek yogurt and handful of nuts (usually almonds and cashews)
Lunch: ham or turkey sandwich on round flatbread with carrots or fruit (usually grapes or banana)
Snack: usually some more nuts
Dinner - usually a meat and veggie

Any ideas? Even after that huge breakfast, I'm usually hungry again in an hour. I'm trying to cut back on carbs, but that seems to be the only thing that keeps me full. Also, please keep in mind, I have a 2 month old and a 2 year old so I don't have much time to prepare anything - it has to be quick and easy. Thanks!

ETA: I put this in a reply, but thought I would add it up here too. I guess I didn't word my initial post correctly (sorry, was trying to
hurry and post while I had a minute or two) - I'm looking for more
healthy foods I can add to what I'm already eating that are quick, easy,
and filling. I'm definitely not planning to starve myself to lose the
weight or anything. I eat when I'm hungry, I just feel like I've been
hungry too often. Also, it's very difficult to eat as many snacks as
I've been needing while I'm trying to tend to 2 kids so I'm trying to
fill myself up a little more at meals.

[wambam]

Other than the nuts, are you eating any other sources of fat (coconut oil, olive oil, grass fed butter)?

My solution to being hungry is almost always to eat more high quality fat.

[kams]

Maybe adding more healthy fat would be good, but honestly, at 2 months pp I would eat whenever you are hungry. Your body is likely still establishing your milk supply, and it needs those calories.

Sometimes I'm actually thirsty when I think I'm hungry, so I might try to have a big glass of water before I eat, but otherwise I would not restrict food at all in the first few months of breastfeeding. I was way hungrier during DD growth spurts, and they have lots of those in the beginning.

[denna]

Sorry, don't know how to quote both of you.
As for other fats, I haven't really been eating others. I have started eating an occasional spoonful of peanut butter when I need something extra, and we cook in butter or olive oil, but that's it. How can I incorporate more olive oil/coconut oil?

I agree that I should eat when I'm hungry (and i do); I'm just trying to get more healthy ideas that may keep me full a little longer and keep me from getting hungry quite so often. I gained more than I should have with this pregnancy and I'm ready to get rid of all this weight.

[Deleted]

Do you know how many calories you are consuming vs. needs to consume for BF? Just from looking at what you're eating, I'm not sure you are eating enough and you are definitely not eating enough veggies and fruit. 4 servings is not enough.

[wambam]

May 30, 2013 11:15:18 GMT -5 denna said:

Sorry, don't know how to quote both of you.
As for other fats, I haven't really been eating others. I have started eating an occasional spoonful of peanut butter when I need something extra, and we cook in butter or olive oil, but that's it. How can I incorporate more olive oil/coconut oil?

Pretty much anything you can cook in olive oil or butter you can cook in coconut oil. It has a really neutral flavor. I would start adding olive oil or butter to your veggies, which you should probably eat a few more of. Nut butters are good too. Look for the more natural types without a lot of sugar or added ingredients. 

[denna]

May 30, 2013 11:21:13 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

Do you know how many calories you are consuming vs. needs to consume for BF? Just from looking at what you're eating, I'm not sure you are eating enough and you are definitely not eating enough veggies and fruit. 4 servings is not enough.

I'm not really counting calories so I'm not sure. I've never counted calories, just try to eat enough so I'm satisfied. I BF my older one for a year and felt like I ate normally most of the time (I didn't try to lose the weight until after I was done BF that time, though). I should clarify that the above is what I've been trying to eat, and it's obviously not enough so I've been having to grab other things for frequent snacks (and not always healthy ones, which is the issue). I guess I can try to eat more fruits (and maybe some veggies) for my snacks and see if that helps. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of most vegetables so it tends to be difficult for me to add them in.

I guess I didn't word my initial post correctly (sorry, was trying to hurry and post while I had a minute or two) - I'm looking for more healthy foods I can add to what I'm already eating that are quick, easy, and filling. I'm definitely not planning to starve myself to lose the weight or anything. I eat when I'm hungry, I just feel like I've been hungry too often. Also, it's very difficult to eat as many snacks as I've been needing while I'm trying to tend to 2 kids so I'm trying to fill myself up a little more at meals.

[bluelikejazz]

Can you do veggies in hummus? That would satisfy both more veggies and more fats.

[wambam]

May 30, 2013 12:12:09 GMT -5 denna said:

May 30, 2013 11:21:13 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

Do you know how many calories you are consuming vs. needs to consume for BF? Just from looking at what you're eating, I'm not sure you are eating enough and you are definitely not eating enough veggies and fruit. 4 servings is not enough.

I'm not really counting calories so I'm not sure. I've never counted calories, just try to eat enough so I'm satisfied. I BF my older one for a year and felt like I ate normally most of the time (I didn't try to lose the weight until after I was done BF that time, though). I should clarify that the above is what I've been trying to eat, and it's obviously not enough so I've been having to grab other things for frequent snacks (and not always healthy ones, which is the issue). I guess I can try to eat more fruits (and maybe some veggies) for my snacks and see if that helps. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of most vegetables so it tends to be difficult for me to add them in.

I guess I didn't word my initial post correctly (sorry, was trying to hurry and post while I had a minute or two) - I'm looking for more healthy foods I can add to what I'm already eating that are quick, easy, and filling. I'm definitely not planning to starve myself to lose the weight or anything. I eat when I'm hungry, I just feel like I've been hungry too often. Also, it's very difficult to eat as many snacks as I've been needing while I'm trying to tend to 2 kids so I'm trying to fill myself up a little more at meals.

You can add more fruit, but I don't think that will help the problem. You'll burn through the sugar from the fruit and be left in the exact same place you were. I think it's time to experiment with some veggies and figure out how to prepare them so you'll eat them.

[gt7301b]

Take the fruit you are eating and throw it in the blender with a scoop of whey protein.
String cheese
Baby bel wedges
Hummus
Nut butters and apple/whole wheat toast
Lunch meat or chicken breast
Crustless quiche cups
Quinoa
Roasted veggies w/ olive oil

[Deleted]

I would add healthy carbs like a sweet potato, quinoa, brown rice to dinner and more veggies would be good too.

Also, second snack eat more than just almonds. You can add a cheese stick, a piece of fruit or more veggies.

Another option is a smoothie. Plus, you can make these ahead of time.

A lot of H&Fers like Mason Jar salads. www.skinnymomskitchen.com/2013/02/12/my-thoughts-on-mason-jar-salads/

[gustafngrete]

Do you like avocados? They are easy to add to a sandwich or salad. Or mash up and add a little sea salt and lime for easy guacamole.

[denna]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I actually made it to the store today and got a lot of what you all suggested - hummus to dip veggies, a few different veggies to dip in it, natural peanut butter (have to go somewhere else to get another nut butter), avocados, some more fruits, and cheeses. I already had some other things like olive oil, coconut oil, brown rice, etc. so I'll try to start adding these things to my meals and snacks. Hopefully this will help.

[naldridge]

How about "overnight oats?" They don't have be for breakfast and could give you some extra carbs in the afternoon when you're feeling the 'ol hunger pang. They're also super versatile, so you can throw in anything you have in the kitchen - I know fruit is popular but I really like them with peanut butter or coconut butter and cocoa powder + a scoop of protein powder.