Does Dieting Make You "Hangry"? What Weight Loss Methods Can Work For You?

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If you find that your efforts at weight loss are often thwarted by your tendency to become short-tempered or foggy-headed just a few minutes after missing a meal, you may wonder whether you'll ever be able to lose weight and keep it off. Fortunately, there are several diet plans and philosophies that have demonstrated success. Read on to learn more about some weight loss methods that can work for those who don't deal well with hunger pains.

High-protein diets

Consuming empty carbohydrates can lead to a short-term spike in blood sugar, giving you a bit of extra energy or pep but leaving you depleted once you crash. These empty carbs – like those found in white flour and sugar – also aren't very filling compared to more protein- or fiber-rich foods. 

Minimizing carbohydrates and focusing on foods that are high in protein and "healthy" fats (like Omega 3 fatty acids) can help you stave off hunger pangs while keeping your blood sugar steady, helping you break the binge and crash cycle. 

Because carbohydrates can also cause water retention, switching to a more protein-heavy diet can also result in nearly instant weight loss as you begin to flush out the extra fluid you've been hanging onto. 

To keep this weight loss going in the right direction, you'll want to make a conscious effort to steer clear of protein-heavy foods that are also high in sodium, as this can be hard on your kidneys and cause you to again start retaining water. Drinking plenty of water between meals can also assist you in dropping water weight; while it may seem counterintuitive, increasing water consumption gives your body the signal to stop hoarding fluids. 

Paleo or "clean eating" diets

These diets can bear some similarity to high-protein diets, but they focus more on whole foods than simply high-protein or low-carb foods. "Clean eating" diets usually involve unprocessed or minimally-processed foods like whole fruits, raw or roasted vegetables, granola made from rolled oats, seeds, and honey, unprocessed meats (like chicken breasts or steak rather than chicken nuggets or sausage), and natural sweeteners like honey and agave. 

In addition to the health benefits of this diet, it can also lead to weight loss – and because processing foods can often strip them of the fiber and other nutrients that provide satiety, you'll usually find that you'll be less hungry (and less likely to mindlessly snack) when most of the foods you eat are in close to their original form.

For more information, contact local professionals like Mid West Fat Loss.


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