I’m having weird hunger today! During Chemistry when my breakfast usually first starts to wear off (about 3 hours after eating) I felt much less hungry than usual and thought “wow, I’m going to have to write a post called ‘In Defense of Steel Cut Oats’” but then 15 minutes into Physiology my stomach started growling REALLY loud and I got much more hungry than usual at that time! An hour later, I sat down with my lunch, which despite being the same number of nutrients and food groups as usual, felt really small and not filling. I’m debating going for a hunt for more food on campus! Or I might get hot tea because I am freezing (and so was my lunch for sitting in my trunk all morning) and it might just be since I started lunch too hungry my satiety cues just need more time to react.
Could this be PMS related ❓
I’m repeating foods this week because they were so good!
Mashed navy beans with a little olive oil, cucumber, dijon mustard and spinach leaves on ciabatta (it was smaller than it looks!)
Pumpkin Yogurt with some almonds and Kashi H2H
And a Pink Lady apple –
From above –
As normal, this lunch was about 540 kcal, 17 grams of fiber, and 20 grams of protein.
Going to go find a way to warm up and get full!
*************Edited to Add*************
30 minutes later…..hunger is gone! I think I was just too hungry for lunch!! I also had a hot Apricot Green Tea – the panacea for all troubles.
Tara says
Does anyone know how I could just get updates via email or something whenever Kath puts in a new post? I noticed that Carrots and Cake has a way to put new posts on MyYahoo. Do you know how I could do something similar? I have Yahoo mail. Help!
BethT says
Uh, I vote YES to the PMS hunger connection. I am insatiable when I have PMS (for at least a couple days anyway!). At least you’re eating nice healthy foods instead of chips and cookies…
Ala says
I always say that I have a bottomless pit in my stomach a few days before my period. No matter what I eat, it’s never enough! Although, I’ve read the body burns around 300 extra cals a day when PMSing, so I think that is why. 🙂
chandra says
I was the same way today! My breakfast held me over for quite awhile and then all of the sudden – BAM – I was starving!
rhodeygirl says
Re: Larabars
Does anyone know which of the Larabars does not have almonds or walnuts in them offhand? (it would be MUCH MUCH easier than reading each of the labels in the grocery store…)
I can’t really eat almonds or walnuts too much because they make my mouth itchy 🙁
cara says
really your body burns more while pmsing? hmmm.
Patricia says
I get reaaaaally hungry before getting my period. I’ve never heard of your body burning 300 cal during PMS though…
I have a question about beans… are all kinds of beans equally beneficial?? or are there some kinds that I should avoid, or that have a higher nutritional value???
Tina O. says
Last night I could not stop eating! If it is PMS, I think its a couple days early, which sucks, I can’t eat this way for a whole week! It would be great if you really do burn more during PMS so it can help to counteract the effects.
Aimee H. says
I definitely munch more around PMS time..
Betsy says
i ALWAYS notice i am sooo much more hungry the week before my period. ugh. it’s annoying.
Ashley says
Kath- First of all, I LOVE your site and you and your hubby remind me so much of me and my boyfriend, Bo. We’re both from the South but living across the parking lot from each other in Philadelphia right now. He’l be moving down to Charlotte in May for training with Wachovia! I love your food recipes/ideas/etc.
In regards to your workout, do you have suggestions for what settings to use on the Stairmaster. I run 3 miles each day on the treadmill but am trying to add 20 mins of somthing different and am definitely open to ideas. Also, are you on Facebook:) LOL!
Ryane says
I can’t remember where I read it, but it was recently… Shape or the Shape website I think… but I read that you do burn 300 extra calories when you have your period. You probably won’t notice a difference due to water retention and whatnot. But yeah, holy munchies! But hey, it’s just your body’s way of saying “yes, I’ll take one cookie!”
Ohhh I know, I think it was in a weight watchers magazine I skimmed last night.
Allyson says
Does anyone know how to store avacado once its sliced? I tried to put it into a container in my fridge and it kind of developed these brown spots on it 🙁
Tina says
I feel the same way around PMS time. I am a bottomless pit!
Kath, is your pumpkin yogurt just plain yogurt and canned pumpkin mixed together? Sounds delicious!
Kiala says
Oh god yes…PMS…
Huh. I wonder if we’ll all start cycling together soon…or if it’s ALREADY HAPPENING.
KellyA says
Hey guys! I know that it might be kind of inappropriate to discuss other blogs on Kath’s. BUT, at the risk of being completely inappropriate, can someone please take a look at her lunch today? I just glanced at the blog and of course there is already some controversy over it. Am I crazy or is this no enough food for ANYONE? I mean absolutely no disrespect, but I’m just wondering if anyone shares my thoughts. Thanks!
KellyA says
btw, I’m talking about eatlikeme!
VeggieGirl says
Ahh, I’m sorry, Kath – I’m sure it was slightly hormone-related/just a fluke. Just one of those day’s where your body wants more food, I guess :0)
**Rhodeygirl:
The Larabar flavors that do not contain either almonds or walnuts are Cashew-Cookie and Pistachio.
Katie says
Hi there. Everything looks so good! I just stumbled upon your site and am definitely subscribing to it. IMO – best site ever! Thanks! 🙂
Jtine says
Allyson – Try putting lime juice on the avocado and sealing it in an airtight ziploc bag. I read somewhere that citric acid keeps avocado from getting brown so fast (it reacts to air kind of like apples do). When I use them, I just cut what I’m going to use right away, leave the rest in the skin if I can, and dab some lime (or lemon) juice on the exposed part.
And in reference to Kath’s post, my hunger’s been really weird this week too! Yesterday I had oatmeal with hemp milk for breakfast along with yogurt and I wasn’t hungry until after 1 p.m. I had something different this morning that was higher in calories but was STARVING before noon, and when I ate, I got really full (too full ick) too fast. If anyone can post a link to the info about PMS and increased calorie intake I’d definitely be interested to read it.
rhodeygirl says
thanks veggiegirl!
Christin says
Allyson,
I was going to say what Jine said about the lemon juice…I grew up with an avocado tree in my backyard…it holds true! :0)
Okay, thank you, I am glad I am not the only one who gets ravenously hungry when PMS’ing…it’s horrible!
Bigelow Tea says
The green tea sounds great.
Julie for Bigelow Tea
Katers says
Hey all! I just HAD to share – I’m so excited!! I just joined at CSA for this summer!! Come June 2008 I’m going to get a supply of fresh, organic, delicious fruits and veggies each week until next winter. Mmm…I can’t wait to try all these veggies..beets, carrots, celery, chard, cucumbers, eggplant, cantaloupe, broccoli, broccoli rabe, green beans, mei-ching choi, peppers, kale, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, rutabaga, winter squash…the list goes on and on and on!!
Anne says
What is CSA?
Christin says
KellyA I checked it out…it does look a little small, but it has LOTS of fiber and protein, which will fill you up quickly and hold you over…so until I see the rest of her eating for the day i’m not jumping to any conclusions…
Annie says
Kelly A, I saw her post earlier and definitly think it is small, but sometimes for lunch or dinner Ill just have some cottage cheese with fruits and vegis, and then maybe add in a slice of toast. Its super filling and fast
Allison K. says
Kath,
I started reading SuperFoods this week, and it truly is life changing! Thanks for pointing me in it’s direction!
Nicole (the other one) says
To KellyA….I read EatLikeMe as well (that’s actually how I found Kath’s blog). Really, I don’t understand the controversy at all. I’m a calorie counter, and just by my estimates, her breakfast was around 500 calories and her lunch was around 400. That really doesn’t seem that low. Personally, and I mean no disrespect, I think this is the issue that is causing the obesity epidemic in America. Portion sizes are so out of control that someone sees a 400 calorie lunch and thinks that’s starvation!
NCCarter says
Katers – I’m jealous of your joining a CSA! I’m thinking of joining one for the summer as well. Do you mind telling me what the cost for yours is? I think I need to tally how much I spend on fruits and veggies to see how much more the CSA would be. I just love the idea of supporting local agriculture.
I am def. PMS-ing and am snacky today. Had a lunch of leftover grilled chicken on mixed greens. Then a choc. chip cookie (the vegan ones that Jenna made – yum!!). Then some pita chips. Then 1/2 an apple with PB. I could eat more. Trying to hold off until dinner.
But – PMS or not, I think some days we’re just hungrier than others. No real explanation. Just the way it is. 🙂
Cait says
Allyson,
Try to keep the pit in the avocado. You’ll still get some browning around the exposed area, but the pit helps to slow down the oxidation process.
Elina says
Allyson, I heard you can rub a bit of lemon on your avocado and it won’t turn brown.
I’ve been crazy hungry the past few days (even increased my calorie range up by 50 calories, then decreased it again because I felt guilty) but this PMS discussion explains everything. Looks like Kath was able to curb her hunger after all… I’m attempting to do the same. Maybe some tea will help.
Beth Q says
I agree with Christin and KellyA, it’s hard to know what else is going on. That being said, one of the things I find difficult about eatlikeme is simply the format C seems restricted to. I mean, it probably has more to do with the layout of the Self website than anything else. Kath is good about taking pictures from the side and from above. Which really helps me to understand her portion sizes, and her pictures are much larger thanks to the wordpress format. I don’t rely on the pictures on eastlikeme as much as I do the break down of major food groups below the pictures. It’s so hard to know how large that bowl of cottage cheese is because the picture is very small and there’s nothing in there to provide perspective. You know when you end up with a picture that looks like you were very far away from the subject but you know you wer standing very close, but there’s nothing in the shot to provide perspective? I think that happens a lot on eatlikeme especially because of the small pictures. I’m sure there are terms for that sort of thing, and official photographers feel free to weigh in. But again, I think a lot of her meals *look* small because of layout and photography reasones, not that they’re actually too small.
Katers says
Anne – CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. It’s basically a local, usually organic farm that delivers fresh produce to people.
NCCarter – 😀 I’m sooooo excited!! I live in NYC, so our pricing may be a little different because of the big city aspect, but ours costs $517 for 25 weeks, plus the Winter Storage Box (which is basically a HUGE box of veggies they give you at the end of the season to hold you over till next season) which is $30. In the regular farm share, they’ll occasionally have organic fruits, but you can get a fruit share as well for $70, but it’s not organic so we’re gonna pass on that. So $517 for 25 weeks works out to $20 a week, and I know I spend that much on veggies, if not a couple times that! Plus, like you said, it’s really important to support local agriculture. Sooo pumped!
Beth Q says
I meant Annie, not KellyA.. *my oh my* and the spelling errors…but I hope you guys look past that to what I was trying to get at about the dif. in picture sizes.
Christin says
Good point BethQ…I think you are right about the pictures.
evangeline says
kath–have you ever experimented/had any interested in eating a vegetarian diet? also, what are your thoughts on the macrobiotics diet–just curious.
have a great day.
Cara says
Yes, her meals are decently substanial calorie-wise but she rarely snacks and she usually has formal exercise. So if shes consumed 500 +400 = 900 cals today, and has, say, 500 for dinner, thats barely enough to fuell exercise. Just saying.
And you can usually ascertain her portion sizes from the foodgroup breakdowns.
Christin says
I would definitely agree that Cristin’s blog is more on the lower side of possible daily intake levels, but that’s why I enjoy reading it alongside Kath and Jenna’s blogs (which also have varying focuses…) it helps with perspective and trying to find what is right for you personally.
(and can i just say that having almost the same name as Cristin is super confusing for a second there sometimes???Lol!!)
anna says
“BUT, at the risk of being completely inappropriate, can someone please take a look at her lunch today?” Seriously, KellyA? You’re right– it’s completely inappropriate for you to ask that (besides the fact that most people lack the time to police food intake on a variety of blogs all day…I mean, give me a break). If it’s not enough food for YOU, then don’t you eat it for lunch. God, get over the eatlikeme thing…if Cristin dips slightly low in calories for one meal, everyone freaks out…and now you’re not just freaking out on her blog, but on other blogs as well? Grow up. Eat what you want, and what you feel is right for you. Cristin obviously is doing great with her meal choices, despite ALL your misgivings.
Katers says
PS. I found this today, isn’t this neat?? I was really interested in the discrepancy in money spent!
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519_1373664.html
Christin says
right on katers, I know where you found that, but due to recent controversies i won’t say where (lol)…I thought it was an interesting article also! i was suprised to see how much more the German family spends per week than the American families! I wonder what the obesity rate is in Eupropean countries versus the US…does anyone know??
Katers says
🙂 my thinking exactly.
kristin point says
I was upset that someone would come on this blog to talk trash about another blog. I mean this is not the first time I’ve seen it. Must women keep perpetuating the catty stereotype?
mags says
wow anna….
calm down.
Ala says
here is the info on burning more calories while pmsing:
“. Once a Month, Allow Yourself More
Is it that time of the month? Women are most likely to binge or overeat in the two weeks prior to their periods if they’ve ovulated (most women on the Pill do not ovulate). Menstrual flow is triggered by the secretion of progesterone, which is thermogenic, or calorie burning. Thus, without so much as lifting an extra three-pound weight — or finger, for that matter — your body burns more calories than it does during the rest of the month and your hunger kicks in to compensate. In a study at the University of British Columbia, women ate an average of 260 extra calories a day when they were ovulating.”
~realsimple.com
Tara says
That TIME piece is so neat!
KellyA says
yikes anna. I’m really sorry I offended you. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to stir up controversy. I just felt that Cristin’s lunch today was a little small and I know that there are people here that read both blogs. Isn’t internet blogging about sharing ideas and having discussion? I think you’re out of line.
natalie says
http://men.webmd.com/features/exercise-addiction?ecd=wnl_emw_022008
This is a good article.
Kiala says
I LOVE YOU REAL SIMPLE.
Srsly.
Jessie says
I hate to even add to the conversation about eatlikeme vs Kath’s blog because its so rediculous and childish….but i do have to ask Kath, is it true that you censor your comments and delete ones you don’t like? I kind of doubt this because i have seen some negative ones on here about you. I dont blame you if you do though, i probably would if i started a website and someone was rude enough to insult me on MY OWN SITE, but i am just curious.
And just for the record i think your site is great!
laura says
did anyone read hungry girl tuesday? i made that bannana bread and it is AWESOME! and low cal and low fat. i used all whole-wheat flour..it is AMAZING!
Tina O. says
I read Hungry Girl occasionally, but everything seems to have artificial sweeteners and other “artificial” food items. Since I don’t use any of those things, I don’t read it like I do this and Jenna’s. But I am going to make banana bread this weekend!
Kath says
Ashley,
Thanks for your comment! I usually do the Stairmaster at level 12 for 30 minutes straight, but I have built up to this. I started out doing level 10 for 20 minutes and worked up to level 11 for 30 and then level 12. Take a magazine and hold on tight and it’ll fly by 🙂
Tina,
Yep, it’s 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt and 1/2 a cup of pumpkin. Stirred until well combined.
Katie,
So glad you like it – thanks!
Katers,
Congrats on the CSA membership!! We’re in the final stages of applying for one too – I sure hope we get it! All the veggies listed on our website just make my mouth water….
Allison K,
I found SuperFoods to be life-changing as well. Glad you like it!! Eating healthy is so much more about what you should be eating – with the focus taken off what you shouldn’t. That’s what was so eye-opening to me.
evangeline,
I have not considered becoming a vegetarian, mostly because I like meat in moderation. I could give up red meat, but not poultry, pork and dairy. I consider my diet to be similar to the Mediterranean diet – lots of fruits and veggies with occasional meat and very little red meat.
I’m not familiar with the microbiotics diet, but anything called a ‘diet’ is probably not something I’d practice regularly.
Katers,
I’ve seen that – it’s quite amazing!! I’ve been meaning to send it to my Cultural Foods professor. Thanks for reminding me!
Ala,
Re. PMS calories. I have a hard time believing the body burns any significant more calories. If so our doctors would all tell us to increase our intakes during those times! PMS/ovulation may spike metabolism, but probably only a negligible amount. I do think cravings trigger eating more than usual though. Us crazy women…
Re. Cristin’s Lunch,
You guys are free to post whatever comments you please and I always enjoy good conversation, but I do personally prefer to keep the conversation away from the other food bloggers as a respect to them.
Re. Moderating Comments,
The husband does not moderate any comments – I do all the admin for the blog. I will only delete a comment if I feel it is completely rude and inappropriate. However, I have not had to delete any comments since we blocked the 3 women who were writing mean comments for entertainment at the beginning of February – with the exception of today when they tried to post once again and were blocked by my filter – imagine that! I suspect they are also the ones who post “Is that all you eat!?” on Cristin’s blog to create a little controversy.
I don’t expect all the comments on this blog to be happy-go-lucky, but I’m glad that most people have positive things to say.
Laura,
I saw that banana bread in HungryGirl too. That combined with Jenna’s delicious looking bread is making me crave it! I know the husband is planning to bake some potato bread soon though, so I might get overruled!
Kath