NOTE: If you’re interested in losing weight, whether by eating only when hungry or by counting calories, I HIGHLY recommend you get my book (you can try it first too), the IDF Fat Loss Training Manual, based on the fat loss program of the Israeli Defense Forces.
—
I was talking recently with some people about dieting, and someone had a very interesting idea about how to always be at your ideal weight. Eat Only When You’re Hungry. And when you’re no longer hungry – just stop eating.
At first, I liked this suggestion. Because your body naturally wants to be at a healthy weight, it makes sense that if you only eat when you’re hungry that you’ll be at a good weight.
But after thinking about this a bit, I had a few issues with it:
1) If someone eats only when they’re hungry since they’re a kid – yea, it’ll work. The problem is what about someone who has overeaten for years and needs to lose weight? Their body is already used to eating a lot, so they’ll probably be hungry for more food than they need.
2) It’s sometimes EASIER to gain weight when you do moderate exercise. You can work up an appetite for more food than you burned. If you just eat when you’re hungry you’re likely to pig out after every workout.
3) And the last most practical issue is that it’s hard to only eat when you’re hungry when you make food. Most people grow up feeling guilty if they don’t finish their food, so no one is going to want to put a sandwich down half way through it.
In short, I think it’s a good idea, but I don’t think it’s practical for most people. The kind of people who eating only when you’re hungry will work for are also the kind of people who probably don’t have a problem with eating to start with.
For now, I still see counting calories as the best tool for achieving success in weight loss or weight gain or maintaining weight just because it forces you to pay attention to what you’re eating and understand how fattening certain foods are.
What are your thoughts? Do you think eating only when you’re hungry is a viable dieting tactic? Let me know!
-Rafi
