How Deal With Hunger While Intermittent Fasting

The information we give at Practicallyperfectmeg.com is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical professional. Always consult your personal physician before starting any diet or exercise program.

As I sit here and write this post, I am nearly twenty hours into a thirty-six hour fast. A few hours ago I started feeling hungry and when I went onto Facebook to distract myself, I found that there are many people new to Intermittent Fasting who are also struggling with hunger. People will ask in Fasting Facebook groups what can I do about the hunger? Which leads me to this post.

I know why you are here. You are hungry or deal with hunger constantly while fasting. As someone who practices Intermittent Fasting and is Insulin Resistant, I am always hungry! So I get it. Look no further I have tips here. I won’t bore you with a long intro. However, please listen to your body if your instincts are telling you to eat then eat. You can always start the timer when you finish eating and try again.

Foremost, you need to be drinking water. I am a proponent of clean fasting and that means you can only drink water, tea made of only tea leaves, or black coffee. What most people do not tell you is that plain sparking water is part of clean fasting. And those little bubbles can help fill up your stomach. Many dislike sparking water like I do. Or I did until I tried Topo Chico this is the brand of sparking water most fasters swear by. So drink plain water or water with added electrolytes to stay hydrated and drink sparkling water a few times during your fast to help you feel full.

Second, try sole water or Pink Himalayan salt. Many fasters swear by Pink Himalayan salt, which is the key ingredient in sole water. It helps balance your electrolytes. Many will purchase Pink Himalayan salt and carry it with them and sprinkle a few granules under the tongue and let them dissolve. Many swear by this method. If you rather try sole water instead, which can really help when you begin Intermittent fasting and are feeling terrible click here.

Black Coffee or Green Tea is also wonderful if you are hungry. You can drink as much coffee or tea as you want. Make sure it’s decaf if you don’t want to be running to the restroom though. Warm liquids make you feel full. Which leads me to my next tip.

If you are not a fan of tea or coffee, try warm water. Put a mug of water in the microwave and warm it up. If you are near the end of a fast, this can help you finish it.

There are other things that help distract you from hunger. Find activities that distract you from thinking about food. But choose wisely. I will binge a few episodes of a tv show during longer fasts but am careful. I pick shows that do not make me want to eat. Avoid cooking shows or shows where the characters are constantly eating. I love watching My 600 Pound Life while fasting.

Reading and doing puzzles can make a few hours fly by quickly. This is the time to take up a new hobby that you do not associate with food. Learn to sew or knit. Sign up for an online course at the local college to learn a new language or skill. If you keep busy, the thought of food and eating will not cross your mind as much as especially if you are drinking water.

Get enough sleep! Fasting is next to impossible when you are tired. Some fasters do have issues with sleep. Ask your doctor about taking a magnesium supplement. Try a white noise machine and blackout curtains. I even run an essential oil diffuser with a sleep blend at night. Make sleep a priority, even if this means you may need to change your daily schedule around.

Put your mind to it. If you are two hours shy of your goal and you want to keep going think to your self I can do this. Most of the time when it comes to fasting it is all about determination and pushing forward. I know that may not be helpful if you are hungry and want to quit, but that is part of fasting. For someone like me who has insulin resistance my body is always hungry, I have to push through. However, if you are so hungry and feel the need to eat then eat. That is the wonderful thing about fasting it is a lifestyle. If you don’t make it to your goal it’s fine. You begin again when you close your window.

Honestly, hunger is a big issue for many people who practice Intermittent Fasting. Especially when you are new to it. Some people adjust after a few weeks or months. While some fasters deal with hunger regularly. All you can do is stay hydrated and listen to your body. If you drink water, then try coffee, then watch an episode of a tv show and you are still hungry by all means, then eat. Eating does not make you a failure, it makes you human.

If after a few weeks if hunger is still an issue contact your doctor. Talk about adopting a low-carb diet and being tested for insulin resistance. Odds are you may need to tweak your diet a little and perhaps have longer eating window. I hope I helped you if you have any questions, ask below in the comments. If you are new to Intermittent Fasting don’t forget to read my post on everything you need to know about Intermittent Fasting.

The information we give at Practicallyperfectmeg.com is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical professional. Always consult your personal physician before starting any diet or exercise program.