| | Water Fasting

How to curb hunger ques/pains?

I’ve started IF 16/8 today after doing sometime of research into it. I wanted to know what helps curb hunger ques. I know caffeine is one but anything else? Also is it okay to still drink a low cal no sugar (10cal) energy drink mix (one you add to water) during my fasting period? Any recommendations on better caffeine sources? Or advice in general for starting out and avoiding over eating.

Answer

Best way to curb hunger is to eat protein rich meals during feeding period.In general, it’s best to taking in sweet tasting (even if from artificial sweeteners) in fasting period. Stick to tea, black coffee, water).

Having said that:

  1. many people do dirty fasting and for some purposes (weight loss) the drink you describe might allow you to stick to your program, and
  2. some people recommend taking in electrolytes (~salt) during fasting. (Especially if you are working out during fasting)

Lots more in the FAQ

Answer

Honestly after a couple of weeks of getting used to 16:8 you won’t get too many hunger pains if you’re consuming the right amount of calories.

I started again in June after a couple of false starts over the last couple of years. The key for me was to include some carbs with every meal. I still calorie count and try to avoid excess carbs, I have just enough to keep me feeling good.

I also recently started drinking those low calorie drink mixes, I tend to make two servings from a single packet, happy to say I’m still losing weight.

Answer

Tell yourself you can it eat tomorrow, when your eating window opens again. And keep that promise to yourself. If you still want whatever it is you’re wanting when tomorrow comes, make sure to have it. But most of the time, I don’t even want what I was previously craving when my eating window re-opens.

This has worked so well for me - for over two years now. Late night eating/bonding starting from college got me into some bad habits, which resurfaced once I got married, and my husband liked to buy me pastries and ice cream whenever he got home late from work.

I lost about 12 lbs two years ago limiting my eating window. I’ve kept it off, and I’m actually a slightly smaller size now, because of muscle gains.

Answer

It’ll come as you reduce your carb intake. Seriously - once I cut back on my carb intake, I stopped feeling any kind of hunger. Now I eat when I want to/feel like it, as opposed to being a slave to carb/sugar-induced hunger pangs.