Why a Little Hunger Is OK When Dieting

"I love feeling famished and like I'm going to pass out!" said no one — ever. If you're on the quest to drop pounds, you might be gearing up for constant hunger pangs and feelings of deprivation. But does it have to be this way? Is feeling hungry essential to losing weight?

We turned to Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, author of the New York Times bestselling book S.A.S.S.! Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches for the answer. Lucky for us, she says, "You don't need to experience constant hunger in order to lose weight — in fact, you shouldn't." This is good news to dieters everywhere, but Cynthia adds that "you should feel mild to moderate hunger three to four times a day at your scheduled mealtimes. A healthy, balanced meal should leave you feeling full and energized for three to five hours, then your hunger should return, which is a signal that it's time to refuel."

See More At Why a Little Hunger Is OK When Dieting