Ever finished a meal only to realize not long afterwards your hunger cues were kicking up again? It can be frustrating to realize you’re hours away from another meal. At the very least it’s distracting and doesn’t feel great. And there are a few things you could try, like adding variety, increasing your portions, or focusing on things that will keep you fuller, longer (like protein, fat, or fiber). But when this comes up for clients I’m working with, I share these options AND ask them, “What if the worst outcome of feeling hungry after a meal is that you have to eat again?” An unplanned, off-the-cuff snack to satisfy lingering hunger can feel pretty uncomfortable, especially since #dietculture either makes it seem like snacks aren’t an option or they have to be meticulously planned and calculated. Neither is true, and I was reminded about this the other day when I was experiencing that myself. We grilled for dinner and while there was plenty of protein, veggies, and volume...there wasn’t enough carbs. We usually eat dinner pretty late so evening snacks aren’t usually my thing but there was no hesitation in heading back to kitchen to grab something while we caught up on House of the Dragon (btw is anyone else watching this because I can’t stop thinking about it 😅) My point is...appetite fluctuates day to day and what may seem like “enough” for you might not always get the job done. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re missing anything. Sometimes it’s something. Sometimes it’s nothing. And not every meal needs to be optimized and balanced for it to be good. What’s your go-to move when you notice lingering hunger after a meal? Any surprises with your appetite after you stop dieting? #streetsmartnutrition #fearlesslynourished #gentlenutrition #nondietapproach #nondietdietitian #intuitiveeating #healthateverysize #haes #mealplanning #snacks #hungercues