I CAN'T cut down my portion sizes! will it effect my losses?

I have tried to cut back back on the amount of food I eat, but i am CONSTANTLY starving, i'm currently breast feeding and it seems unless I have heaps of food then i'm not satisfiled

i've just ate two bowls of pasta with veg (half super free) and only now do i feel not hungry, i'm not full either.

has anybody any tips? i'm fed up with being a black hole

What makes you think you have to cut down on your portion sizes? Are you using all your additional healthy extras if you are breastfeeding? xx

I'm one of these people that eats whatever is on my plate so to reduce portion sizes, I reduced the size of my plate. I never used to feel full as such, I'd just eat what was in front of me. If you've had two bowls of pasta, then perhaps you made too much- you allowed yourself the option to have a second serving because it was there.
If I don't feel satisfied with my meal, I'll have a desert of a muller light and some fruit. Sometimes the sweet feeling after a meal stops me from then wanting a second helping or something else savoury. Could be worth a try?
With all the above said, I don't have any children and therefore haven't ever breast fed so wouldn't know if what you're feeling is related to that. Hope someone out there who has breast fed can relate and offer you some tips.x

Hey

Sorry to hear you're struggling! I wouldn't worry too much about "portion sizes" unless it starts affecting your losses- just make sure you are following the 'eat only when hungry, stop when full' rule. Listen to what your body is genuinely telling you. If its hunger, eat- try for super free first, then free. Allow at least 20mins after eating- approx how long it takes for tummy to tell brain thats enough! Make sure you are drinking plenty- for me personally, hunger and thirst feel very similar.
Again I don't have children and don't know what effect breast feeding would have, but know you shouldn't be hungry on sw!
Good luck x

Sam1309 said:

I have tried to cut back back on the amount of food I eat, but i am CONSTANTLY starving, i'm currently breast feeding and it seems unless I have heaps of food then i'm not satisfiled

i've just ate two bowls of pasta with veg (half super free) and only now do i feel not hungry, i'm not full either.

has anybody any tips? i'm fed up with being a black hole

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I think you need to check out this thread http://www.minimins.com/slimming-wo...ding/216918-breastfeeding-slimming-world.html for some help and advice.

I don't think you should worry. I don't know much about breastfeeding and SW, but I think if you are sticking to the plan, but eating lots, that is probably just what your body needs now for you and your baby. It might or might not mean your losses slow a bit but you are still being healthy.

As people said, make sure you get the extra Hexes for breastfeeding. And to keep you full, as well as your veggies and pasta have plenty of protein (meat, fish, quorn/tofu, eggs, beans) and fibre (beans, hexBs, berries - high fibre foods are marked with a symbol in the book), and drink plenty of water too. Dairy foods like fatfree yogurt can help fill you up too. You might find meals of half veg/half pasta don't always fill that gap.

I bf my lg and I applaud you for joining sw whilst bf. (I stopped bf when she turned 3 last october and joined in December). I was actually a bf peer supporter too.

It's normal to be starving, you're burning up to 500calories extra a day! (how old is your little one?). Also if you're tired that doesn't help at all.

I totally agree with others, listen to your body, try to snack on free food, enjoy your extra hex and drink loads.

With my first little girl I couldn't get her to latch and exclusively expressed instead. They're drinking 750ml to a litre (well, big was) which is a lot of extra water.

Every time you're feeding your little one, really you need a drink and snack.

I breastfed all three of mine and it made me ravenous!! Particularly in the early months when your body is producing more and more milk, as someone has already mentioned it burns 500 calories a day. I never did SW at the same time and ate loads of the wrong things. I think you are doing amazing to be breastfeeding, presumably having broken sleep, looking after a baby AND sticking to plan so I suggest fill your boots!!! As long as you are eating all the right things then go for it, your body needs the goodness to keep you and your baby going. I'm not breastfeeding now but since following SW I eat loads! It's never affected my losses and I never go hungry. Remember to drink loads too. Keep it up and good luck xx

One thing you may want to consider is drinking a pint of water with your food.
Strangely, the body sometimes makes you feel hungry when you are actually thirsty.
The 20-30 minute rule is also very handy, wait that long before having another portion perhaps?

I wouldn't be so hard on yourself though, especially as you are breast-feeding and sticking to the plan so well.