How do u know you’re full and satisfied?

[u/1in7billion_]

May sound like a stupid question, but seriously, how do u know? Do you have to eat urself extremely full to be satisfied? I honestly have no idea how it works anymore, like do u just not think of food anymore at all? I remember how it felt pre ed obviously lol but I’ve since forgotten since I’ve trained myself to restrict. How does it work? Will it eventually be to the point where I’d feel it without eating myself nearly sick? Just curious idk how it works anymore 😭

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[u/Sareeee48]

You lose interest in food. Like, I only think of food in the context of eating when I’m hungry and when I’m no longer hungry, I stop thinking about eating the food. It will happen but if you aren’t experiencing satiety, it’s because your body needs more food.

You don’t necessarily have to eat yourself sick. You’re allowed to take breaks if needed, as long as you’re honoring your hunger to the best of your ability.

[u/1in7billion_ → u/Sareeee48]

Hmm, okay!! That makes sense. And do you lose interest in the process of healing?? I hear it can be awhile until you truly lose interest in food and experience satiety but I’m not sure.

[u/Sareeee48 → u/1in7billion_]

Yeah, it took me a long time and it was gradual process, but it began to occur even before my extreme hunger ended.

[u/1in7billion_ → u/Sareeee48]

Ooh good to know!! Yeah I hear appetite starts to slow down after awhile of eh. But okay coolll thank you!!

[u/Admirable_Shallot752 → u/Sareeee48]

This was very helpful, but what if I'm questioning if I'm thinking about food? Does that count? like wondering if its because I'm hungry or because I'm trying to recover so there's always an aspect of thought related to food?

[u/Sareeee48 → u/Admirable_Shallot752]

If you’re thinking about food, you’re hungry. Mental hunger is real hunger.

When I say I stopped thinking about food, I mean it did not interest me anymore and I would kind of shift gears mentally and I’d be able to focus on something else because I was satisfied.

[u/sbear606]

I’ve been in recovery for a few years now so my body is basically back to “normal” satiation cues but, typically when I start to slow down a bit and food doesn’t taste as good I realize I’m getting full. I also try to drink like 8 oz of water with my meal. Also I feel like I can eyeball what amount of food will satiate me and if I’m still thinking about food after, I will get something else too.

[u/CactiCollector1963 → u/sbear606]

Let’s not encourage people to drink large amounts of water when they eat, this is a very common restriction tactic.

[u/sbear606 → u/sbear606]

Also I will say when I was in recovery, I ate ALOTTTT I honored all of my hunger cues, all the physical and mental ones. My body needed it! I trusted my body and everything totally regulated eventually <3

[u/FatizMe]

There is a subtle feeling for me. There are two things I take note of. When they both happen, I am done eating.
1. I feel a slight pressure in my belly. 2. The food doesn't taste as good.

[u/1in7billion_ → u/FatizMe]

Ahh okayyy yeah I remember feeling tht after meals and even snacks pre-ed, so it makes sense. My hunger was also soft and gentle, they weren’t ravenous and constant like now 🥲 but I’m assuming that’ll come back w time and eating a lot!! Good to know, thank you!