Hunger before bedtime is a good thing |
Thinking about whether or not I’m really hungry and how hungry (on a scale of 1 to 10), is kind of a new thing for me. Although eating has often been a means to enjoyment, avoiding an activity or project I wanted not to deal with, or a distraction against boredom, eating just because I’m hungry enough to warrant nourishment has not been my main goal. Not until now.
These days when I get to that hunger level of 2 or 3, a red danger sign flashes. Eat!!! Eat something soon and something wise or fall prey to the evil Cravings Monster!!! Yes it’s true, my life used to be ruled by one craving after another. Much like the local pusher beckons the addict, I was enticed to spend my good money and probably my good health on fast, fried and fabricated food. Food, if you can call it such, that I barely tasted. Because I was rarely really hungry, I was rarely ever full. So I ate too much and either too often or not often enough until I was so far beyond full that I swore I’d never eat again. Until the next time…
Isn’t it ironic? Now, I eat only when I’m hungry, which seems to happen naturally every 3 or so hours. I usually eat a reasonable portion of protein with a complex carb (whole grain), fruit or/and vegetable. And I try to wait at least 20 minutes before stuffing myself with more, because it takes a while for the “not hungry anymore” ques to catch up with the stomach. The cravings are smaller, more easily satisfied and less frequent. Much less “scary”. Yes, sometimes I do indulge in a really indulgent treat. But I’m finding if I’m eating for my health, energy and to satisfy my hunger, I often don’t really want or choose not to eat something just because it’s there or everyone else is eating it. Imagine that!!!
Oh, there’s one other thing…there is a time when it’s “Best” NOT to feed your hunger–2 hours before bedtime. This is one of the most significant changes I’ve made in my eating habits. Because I used to stay up ’til all hours much of the time, of course I’d get hungry and start to eat. Since I’ve been following the ”no eating at least 2 hours before bedtime” rule, I tend to go to bed at a more reasonable time (if nothing else to avoid eating). And I’ve lost weight. Nine pounds as of yesterday. Imagine that…
