The FastDay Forum

I'm hoping someone out there can answer this question. I've done some research and can't seem to figure out why on Fast days, I'm not the least bit hungry. No hunger pangs at all, until thevvery moment I have my evening meal (400 cals) and then I become ravenous. The rest of the evening is a battle to keep the hunger at bay. All day long, I'm fine until the moment I eat something, anything, be it carbs or protein. I'm afraid to eat anything on Fast Days now until right before bedtime as at least I'll be asleep shortly thereafter and not tempted to continue eating. What gives?

I ca't answer but I can empathise - today is a fast day & I didn't eat all day, I was fine until I ate this evening & I'm now thinking about going to bed (22h30 here) as I'm hungry !!!

It´s always like that for me, which is why I don't eat during the day on fast days, I'm guessing I wouldn't be able to cope either. At least now, although I'm hungry, I know that I've done really well so far & I don't want to waste all that effort when I've nearly won!

I'm thinking it's maybe something to do with gastric juices ??

I think a lot of us struggle once we eat. Thats why so many of us hang on until evening to shorten the struggle! Are you filling out your meal with lots of veg or a big side salad? I have a salad that would make Peter RBbit blanche! It helps make your meal last longer so that your protein digestion is kicking in before you finish the plate. I will admit that I can't wait to get safely to bed on fast days.

Today has been my first "fast day". I thought it would be hard, but I didn't feel hungry at all, all day!
Just eaten a WW quiche with salad and feel fine!

I don't know but it is definitely the case. Having said that I don't think I could do an actual fast (I mean water only) either, although I haven't tried. I was speculating that maybe eating kick started the metabolism and if that was the case would it be better (from a weight loss point of view) to eat breakfast. At the moment I don't eat anything until the evening which I am finding relatively easy (relatively!) But I have not lost that much weight.
Interesting point though, if I am really starving I always think I must be eating my fat reserves in desperation but that is probably not the case!
(PS as you can tell I am not a scientist!)

I feel so relieved to read that others seem to have the same issue. I tried the breakfast thing but then I was hungry all day. Maybe you are all correct in saying it has something to do with the gastric juices, kick starting their metabolism. I'm having a bucket (literally) of salad for my fast meal tonight. Maybe if I eat really slowly and punctuate it with lots of water, I may just be able to knock this hunger-after-eating on its head. Thanks for all the advice.

[carorees]

Breadandwine has a theory about this that makes a lot of sense to me. Read it here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1499

The response by Breadandwine is so spot on! Maybe that is why in restaurants you begin a meal with a "starter" or in other places an hors d'oeuvre. It gets the stomach ready and hungry for more food. Makes sense! I really like using the timer to hold off having seconds, any help is good when trying to trick the hunger monster.

I can't say that I feel full after my meals but I don't feel too hungry either. The one time that I saved most of my calories for a big(ish) meal in the early evening, I just couldn't stop feeling like eating the table and chairs.
I find that eating smaller meals makes me feel less hungry.