Four Steps to Hunger Control

Axiom Number Two: Hunger Control

Trying to lose weight without understanding how to control your hunger -impossible. Probably the main reason so many diets fail is because they ignore hunger. Hunger is one of the human's strongest drives, right up there with procreation and survival. Diets that attempt to restrict calories by controlling portion sizes are almost universally failures. All the positive imagery in the world will not stop your hunger, even for a nanosecond. Hunger is just like a river. You can dam it up for a while, but it will eventually spill over and occasionally "burst" the dam itself.

Nutritional density

The first and most important step in controlling your hunger is to feed your body what it is hungry for, not a big gulp at the local convenience mart. All the food in most large commercial grocery stores, fast food restaurants and convenience marts is not what you need to turn off your appetite. The only way you can even begin to shut down your hunger is to feed the body complete foods. Here in America that means organic whole foods.

Evolutionary Biochemistry

As man evolved, he did not have convenience marts and fast food on every corner. Today, the biochemistry of man is still anachronistically Neanderthal, while on every corner are heavily processed foods that the biochemistry of the human is not prepared to process. Incomplete foods rob the body of precious minerals and micronutrients. Whole foods, on the other hand, are complete and add these precious nutrients back to the body. Processed sugar is a good example of how the biochemistry of the human has not evolved while the food industry has figured out ways to process almost every known food substance. It's no wonder that today we have so much cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Hunger control step number one

Eat at least one whole food and organic meal a day. Whether you prepare this from the MericleDiet, which makes it very easy to have good whole food vegan sugar-free meals on short notice, or you prepare these meals yourself, makes no difference. Your body needs some whole foods. Once you have established a routine of at least one whole food organic meal a day, you can start working on the rest of your hunger control.

Hunger control step number two

This is one of the most important and "difficult" steps to accomplish. You have to stop or at least really restrict simple sugars (as we have recently covered). Why is this so important? Simple sugars like sucrose, honey and high fructose corn syrup, deliver huge loads of fructose and glucose at the same time. Not only can the human biochemistry not handle this as you all know by now, but they are very "addicting" chemicals. If you can't stop your sugar habit, you will never be able to really control your hunger. This is extremely critical to ever regaining control of your hunger, your weight and the well being of your immune system.

Hunger control step number three

Understand that you will get hungry. This may happen both before your main meal of the day as well as after it. Be prepared. Stock your refrigerator with "healthy snacks." Organic carrot sticks in water work for me. I come back from a run hungry, reach in the refrigerator and out come the carrot sticks. Peppers work well this way, celery or any other organic veggies. Keep large amounts of prepared salads ready as they make a great snack that is very low on the glycemic index. Whatever works for you, keep a good supply on hand, including fresh fruits such as apples and bananas. For myself, being the potato chipaholic (I've been to Potato Chips Anonymous many times), it took some practice. Now, I don't even reach for the potato chip bag, I go straight for the carrots, even if there is a bag of chips on top of the refrigerator.

Hunger control step number four

Learn to think in percentages. Controlling your hunger is a huge project. I think it is actually more difficult for those of us who are adult onset diabetic or pre-diabetic. Understand that you will fail, more initially than later on. Most people just can't stop bad eating habits overnight. This is an ongoing work-in-progress and will be for the rest of your life. Don't ever get down because you failed, just strive to do better the next time. It is too easy to fail, and then just give up all together. Initially you may fail two or three times a day, but keep eating that one whole food organic meal a day. Soon you will be failing two or three times a week, and be a whole lot healthier. You will never be perfect, but as long as your weight and health are what you want them to be, you can go out and enjoy the ambience of pizza and beer or some great Mexican food -and not "worry" about it.

I would like to leave you with this quote from one of my daughters, Danielle. You may cast a jaundice eye my direction for using one of my own family as an endorsement. Let me quickly dispell any thoughts of that, as in our family, it is extremely difficult to even get noticed, much less some positive words.

Danielle Mericle

In a lot of ways it comes down to your old saying, "balancing getting through the day with getting through your life." There actually is a balance if you can find it. For example, last night we made a big Mexican feast for friends. I made a Mexican rice that required long grain white rice, which I know isn't good. I also made chili rellenos which, although thankfully had no eggs, had quite a bit of cheese. But because I had eaten mostly brown rice, beans, and steamed veggies all week, I could easily eat that meal last night without worrying about it. Knowing what to avoid and then when you can get away with it -is the key.

Danielle Mericle
Ithaca, New York

Thanks for your time.

Copyright © John Mericle M.D. 2005 All Rights Reserved

The MericleDiet is the clear and easy path to that one organic sugar-free whole food meal a day. To visit the MericleDiet follow the link below.

Visit the MericleDiet

DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal training in organic chemistry and biochemistry, medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.

---

Dont Be Misled. The Best Attitude and Action for Weight Loss

Weight loss can be one of the most difficult things... Read More

Motivation: Keeping the Fire Going in Your Fat Loss Plan

Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to... Read More

Bodybuilding Weightloss Diet Tips And Strategies

Just the facts on bodybuilding weightloss strategies that work. No... Read More

Lose A Pound

Lose a pound of fat? what does it take? Not... Read More

How to Spot False Weight Loss And Diet Advertising Claims

Flip through a magazine, scan a newspaper, or channel surf... Read More

Slowing Down Can Help You Lose Weight Faster

Running For Weight Loss??.Slow DownYou may be out running your... Read More

Theyre Wide, Theyre Here, Get Used to It

America's Obesity EpidemicAs the numbers of overweight Americans continue to... Read More

Weight Loss NOW! The Soft Drink Diet

In the early nineties doctors were beginning to see the... Read More

How To Indulge and Win The Battle of The Bulge During The Holidays: Get Yourself a Buddy

If you are trying to lose weight, the holidays literally... Read More

Protein Diet - What Does It Mean For Your Body?

To really understand the impact of a protein diet, it's... Read More

Warning: Dramatically Improve Your Health In Just 27 Days!!!

You don't realize it, but in the next few minutes... Read More

The Psychology of Weight Loss: Part 5 ? Perspectives Toward Food!

Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More

Lose Body Fat by Choosing the Right Diet Plan For You

If you are overweight and searching for the diet program... Read More

Getting Through a Weight Loss Plateau

If you are traveling on the path towards wellness you... Read More

From Fat to Fit: Read One Womans Amazing Weight Loss Story

An Interview with Success Story, Caitlin JohnsonIf you don't know... Read More

Weight Loss Surgery ? The Benefits and Financial Cost

Generally, weight loss surgery such as the gastric bypass will... Read More

LA Weight Loss Secrets ? High Profile Personal Trainer Shares the Magic Formula!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Tenuate: Should A Diet Pill Be Part Of Your Weight Loss Checklist?

Maybe your doctor suggested it. Maybe your favorite outfit doesn't... Read More

Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!

Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!To be successful... Read More

Obesity and Weight Loss ? Muscle and the Importance of Low Body Fat!

Today you have a good chance of getting diabetes or... Read More

Weight Loss - Long Term Success Starts In Your Mind

Making the Decision:Whether you are interested losing ten pounds that... Read More

The Best Weight Loss Advice Youll Ever Get

"Who are you to give me weight loss advice?" I... Read More

Thirty Hints & Tips to Achievable Weight Loss

Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More

Measuring and Monitoring Your Bodyfat: Improves Overall Health

With so many diets and fads being offered on the... Read More

Weight Loss Programs:The 7 Critical Points You Must Check Before You Choose

Yes, you must be aware of the following 7 points... Read More

How the Protein Diet Works

Protein is an essential nutrient necessary for maintaining good health.... Read More

How Many Calories Can I Have And Still Lose Weight?

How to Estimate How Many Calories You Can Have and... Read More

Quick Weight Loss Secrets

The Secrets have been in our family recipes, some even... Read More

South Beach Diet Overview

Developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, The South Beach Diet touts... Read More

Shape Up! 4-Alternative Weight Loss Solutions

I am embarrassed to admit how many different commercial weight... Read More

Obesity: Let?s Prevent A Life Threatening Disorder

In life, various factors contribute to weight gain. Be it... Read More

Survival Guide For Holiday Parties

If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More

Weight Loss Product Warnings -- How to Spot Fat Burning Diets

This is the second article in the series, Weight Loss... Read More