Hunger can be a tricky thing. If you know you can’t eat another bite but still have meals to get in, here’s what to do!
Giving your body the right amount of calories to match your goals and stay nourished is important no matter what workout program and meal plan you are following.
Many people don’t know this, but eating too little, even if your goal is weight loss, can potentially hinder your results. Your workouts suffer, your motivation goes downhill, and you end up burning out before you can make real progress!
But we get it. Whether you are following a Clean Bulk program and eating a lot to put on muscle, or following a program like Fat Loss Extreme for Men or Women and are in a caloric deficit to lose body fat, there might be times when you just don’t feel like eating.
We’ve all been there. Here’s what you should do the next time you don’t feel like eating all that you’re supposed to!
Is it OK to eat less than my meal plan says?
If you are following a meal plan and it says to eat three meals and two snacks in a day, but you get two meals and one snack in, and you’re pretty sure that there’s no way you’re going to be able to choke down another bite without feeling miserable, it’s perfectly OK to stop eating!!
We never want you to eat to the point of being uncomfortable. This can really mess with your natural hunger cues and can also wreak havoc on your digestive system.
Now, we already know what you are thinking … “But what about hitting my calories or my macros?”
Here’s the thing: Neither macros nor calories are 100 percent accurate, no matter how good your diet plan is and how good you are at weighing your food.
Plus, do you know what’s even more important than macros? Following a diet that you can actually stick with. Stuffing yourself when you don’t want to… isn’t really sustainable.
The Big Exception: Eating for Muscle Growth
Now, of course, there are some exceptions.
Suppose you’re a skinny guy with an ectomorph body type who is desperately trying to pack on muscle. In that case, you’re going to have to get some calories in your body, probably even when you don’t really feel like it.
But you can be strategic in how you do it so that you’re not miserable! Try eating calorie-dense foods such as….
- Nut butters
- Nuts
- A double scoop of protein powder in a protein shake
- Oils like olive oil and coconut oil
- Occasional “treat foods,” extra condiments, and sauces
These types of foods and condiments can help add extra calories to your meals without filling you up.
Now, we aren’t saying you should eat a candy bar and piece of cake every day. But if you have the extra calories to use and are full, they can be used in moderation.
Still Struggling? Your Meal Plan May Need Expert Eyes!
If you’re having a hard time eating what the calculator in our V Shred App for IOS or Android says you should be eating for your goals, it could also be a sign that your meal plan needs to be looked over by someone else.
That’s why we have a huge team of V Shred trainers and nutritionists who create custom diet plans and workout plans for thousands of people every day.
If you’re interested, get your customized meal plan here or email coaching@vshred.com, and we can help make a plate you’ll look forward to finishing.