Very new and hungry
I just started keto and I am very hungry! I just ate an entire contai er of roast beef lunchmeat wrapped around some cheese and some almonds and i am so hungry i cant sleep. I am very new to keto (2days) is this my body craving carbs? And how do I cope till my body adjusts?
My thanks to anyone with a suggestion
-
I was hungrier the first week, but I'm still hungry a little over 2 months in. Once I hit my goal weight I will probably try one of the other settings in the app to see if I can maintain my new weight while feeling satiated.
I tried going low carb once before, but it seems like carbs are what puts my hunger down--my stomach doesn't seem to know how to turn off without them.
-
Jpudds Yes, perfectly normal. Make sure to have a decent keto snakd before bed or sleeplessness happens. At first you may want to not worry about calories so much as total carb count. Remember carbs are like a drug, once we take them away we go into withdrawal- that being said, drug addicts need sweets to turn back on that endorphin rush. Eat, eat. It’s okay. Make sure your fats are spread out and you actually may want to add a little more in the beginning. If it continues and your not satisfied, try an mct product just for the time being, or something similar. You could try non cafinated spiced tea with a huge dollop of heavy cream after dinner. I found that eating dinner to early before bed, I didn’t sleep well for weeks. Tossing turning, OH THE JOY!
-
if you are hungry, try upping your fats in the first few weeks. protein won't fill you up as much as fats do. Try making a recipe that incorporates protein and fats. I can't believe how many delicious recipes there are for keto. There are alternatives to everything, including bread and chocolate!! There are tons of websites that have keto recipes for carby imitation foods and they are delicious! Think of your favorite carby snack or meal and then google a keto friendly alternative. It will get you through until your cravings for actual carbs subsides.
Also, be sure you are taking supplements such as magnesium and potassium. Your body is going to flush lots of water out of your system and will wash away your electrolytes as well.
-
Are you eating lots of vegetables? They are filling and contain a lot of fiber. Plus, if you drink apple cider vinegar in water before you eat, your food spends a longer time in your stomach, so it is digested more completely. Then you might not feel hungry as quickly.
I have also read that the bacteria in your gut that processes carbs is able to send messages to your brain to send down more carbs. It may take a bit of time for the "good" gut bacteria to build up. May I suggest taking some good probiotics to help digest all those veggies?
-
I also find that my body likes to tell me I'm hungry when I'm just bored due to bad habits. When that happens I make myself drink more water. Then I'll get up walk around and see if I still feel hungry after 10-20 minutes. If I do, then I know I'm actually hungry and I'll have almonds, or some olives, a hard boiled egg, etc. The first few days were hard for me as my body is used to over-eating. I also find I can't fast very well at work except for skipping breakfast because I sit at a desk all day. However on the weekends if I stay busy, I can fast longer.
-
I had keto flu yesterday, so I see what is happening. No ketones in urinalysis 2 weeks ago. Yes, drinking water helped and I have more energy to exercise today, but managing the fat intake vs low calorie allowance is really a task; keto foods are mostly high in calories. I do eat a lot of vegetables - 2 cups spinach, 2 cups rice cauliflower each day
-
dshean87 I’m the exact same way. I have to drink a lot of water to make me feel full and if I’m still hungry after abour 15 minutes, I have to have a snack. Fasting during the week is not really an option for me either. I get up at 5:20 every day and start work at 7 am. On my 30 minute commute to work I have a bullet proof coffee, but by 10 am I’m usually getting hungry again . I wish the coffee would keep me full until lunch, but I just can’t do it.
-
My explanation isn't going to be articulated as precisely as I would like, but for the sake of a general understanding here's the explanation of why you feel so hungry:
There are two ways your body can fuel itself: Glycogen or Ketone bodies. Most people fuel themselves with glycogen (carbs) and part of that process requires the constant replenishment of glycogen. When your body is transitioning to burning ketones as the primary fuel source, your body will react in a way that makes you feel like you're dying of hunger. This is basically the feeling of your glycogen stores depleting -- a really GOOD thing, because once you run out of glycogen, your body will switch over to burning ketones, which is the whole point of this diet - to kick your body into ketosis. So, for anyone who is "starving" - just stay hydrated, eat some fat, ensure your electrolytes are up, and stick with it!