What foods are healthy for you?

Why am I SO hungry after eating healthy? And what are some good foods that are...?

• I'm focusing on non-processed foods. I really want to stay away from processed foods as much as possible, as I ate HORRIBLY before (hint:the only thing that contained nutrition that I would eat was 1 egg a day) Anyways, I've been munching ALL DAY. I ate probably a good 12 times today, and despite that I keep on feeling hungry a few minutes after eating! I've only had about 1200 calories despite constant snacking, too, so I need help finding some healthy foods that are higher in calories. So, what is causing me to be so hungry, so soon? Is it just because I'm not quite used to the healthy foods yet? Thanks!

• Answer:

  On average, people eating reasonable portions of balanced meals get hungry about every three to five hours. Check the balance of foods you eat. Refined carbohydrates like white rice, baked goods and most crackers or pretzels are processed by the body fairly quickly. That means that blood sugars go up and back down rapidly, tending to leave you hungry again within two hours. Whole-grain breads and cereals are processed more slowly and may leave you satisfied longer. Studies show that hunger is satisfied longer when a meal or snack includes a small amount of protein. That doesn't have to mean meat. Protein is also found in milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu and other soy products, eggs, nuts, seeds and dried beans. Also, vegetables and fruits are missing from many Americans' meals, yet they provide bulk that can help satisfy hunger. Have you let a low fat diet get too low in fat? Fat leaves the stomach very slowly, so a small amount of fat in a meal keeps hunger satisfied. If your goal is weight loss, excess hunger could be a sign that you've cut your calories too low or that you are pushing to reach a weight that is too low for you. Finally, consider this: Are you actually physically hungry all the time, or do you simply feel like eating? Eating when you're not hungry can mean that eating has become a habit for coping with boredom, procrastination or stress. If this is the case for you, the key is to develop ways to handle these situations without food. If you address all these possibilities and still feel hungry all the time, talk with your physician. Constant hunger not related to any of these factors could be due to medication or a medical problem that needs attention.