I’m sorry but I think your husband is going to have to get over his “hate to eat alone”
I think after 9 is a terrible timeframe to eat a meal.
Are you eating a meal with the kids at 6:30 and then eating again when hubby eats?
Your window just doesn’t seem ideal to me.
Maybe you’re not eating enough protein to keep you going through the day? Maybe not enough water. Sleep?
I usually drink a big glass of water if I’m feeling hungry or keep myself busy by doing something to take my mind off it
You can try to outsmart that late window with water etc., but being awake and trying to function for 12 hours with nothing is pretty tough. I have to think that your husband supports you efforts to be healthier, lose weight, or whatever your goal is? Maybe you can eat together on his days off.
I agree that cutting back carbs will help, because part of hunger is that crash experience when your blood sugar goes up and comes down again. You’ll still have blood sugar spikes with low carb foods, but they won’t be as extreme.
Additionally, make sure that you’re actually full after you eat your meals. If you’re afraid of overeating, get an app and track your calories and macros to make sure you stay in line with where you should be.
Although it will technically break a “clean“ fast, I occasionally will have herbal tea in the evenings if I get the munchies, or coffee with a splash of cream early in the day. I usually don’t eat until 2 PM and if I have a really early appointment or something, I might skip IF that day and just do two meals in the best window I can manage.
I guess my point is, be flexible and don’t allow IF to be seen as a punishment. At the same time, try to stick to the narrowest window you can as many days as you can, to see the biggest results. And do your best to avoid snacking in between meals or during your fasting window.