Is It Normal To Constantly Be Starving?

[Renegade]

I am constantly hungry, the only thing that really feels me up is rice,noodles and bread. I ate about 11 plum with 3 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil 2 hours ago and still feel intensely bloated and been starving this whole time. No matter how many fruits or veggies I eat I'll be hungry. i ate half a jar of peanut butter the other day and I could have finished the whole thing because I was still hungry, if only my body wouldn't feel bloated so easily. I used to be able to eat a ton of wheat pasta or bread but now I can't eat as much or I get bloated while being hungry.

 

I should add. while being on detoxification from gluten.

 

Before I used to eat 5 meal to 6 meal a day and bigger portions, now I had to reduce my portions by about 25% or 30%.

[bartfull]

Yep. When I was going through gluten withdrawal I could eat massive amounts of food and still be hungry. Give it two to three weeks and it'll go away.

[cap6]

Rice, noodles and bread which i assume are gluten free will not help.  Eat fruit, veggies and meats.  You need protein! 

[Adalaide]

Fruit is still super sugary. Maybe you're just craving it because you're craving those refined carbs which are no better than spooning yourself full of sugar. Veggies that are high in fiber will help more. I had the same problem for a while and still have that problem if I've been glutened, after I get over the omgpleasekillmenow phase. It passes. I did my best during that time to graze throughout the day on high fiber veggies with small bits of protein, the types of snacks that are designed to be filling and stay filling. It also helped me to build the sustainable healthy habits that I've been able to keep at for the past year and a half.

[dilettantesteph]

That happened to me at first.  I think that it was gluten withdrawal.  I can't remember how long it went on, maybe a couple of months.  Later, I got just like I used to be in the old days.  I could skip meals and not even notice it.  I know that's not a good idea, but sometimes I get busy or forget to pack something to bring along.  It should get better.  Hang in there.

[notme]

i am (it's almost my geefreeanniversareee!)  just about 3 years gluten-free and i still feel like i have days when i can not get enough to eat - as soon as i'm done eating, i'm hungry again.   what helps me is drinking kefir or eating greek yogurt - for some reason it keeps me full enough until i can make myself something else to eat.  nom nom nom....  i think it's the extra protein that helps curb my inner child who keeps screaming "feed me!"  lolz - plus, who doesn't need the extra probiotics...

[pricklypear1971]

If you are still starving after eating you may have a low glucose issue (which is common with ai and adrenal issues).

Try this. Next time you're still starving (after eating a full, healthy meal) eat about 6-12 ghiradelli semi sweet chips (yes, they're gluten-free but maybe not DF, and not sf). If you can't eat ghiradelli try Enjoy Life.

Of you respond positively by eating a bit of fast sugar - think swinging glucose levels or low glucose.

Think veggies and protein and very little sugars UNLESS you dive. It's complicated.

[frieze]

I am wondering if you are interpreting irritation as hunger pain?

[Renegade]

No, it is rather much starvation, I have to eat a lot of food every 2 or 3 hours otherwise I get very hungry, had a lots of veggies and some rice with bit of chicken 1hour and a half ago and I could eat the same portion all again, now considering finish my jar of peanut butter too.

 

Edit: Nvm that it's gone I ate it and of course now I feel like crap, because literally everything I enjoy eating makes me feel bad except spaghetti sauce. Yup this is really effing great.

[notme]

 hang in there...  it'll get better.  i attribute(d) my hunger as my body making up for not eating/hastily evacuating years of food.  i think my stomach had to stretch as i never ate very much.  ever.  so when i started *eating* and things began to work again as they should, i wanted more.  i mean NOW i am STARVING - my husband calls my hungry stomach 'fatty' as in 'fatty's gotta eat' (it's a joke b/c i weigh 119 sopping wet lolz)  

[Aellaraven]

I have been gluten-free for about 9 years now and still feel hungry all the time after I eat. I am very strictly gluten-free too...I went cold turkey with no regrets (never was a bread/pasta person, I think my body always knew!) because I'm a super sensitive Celiac (isn't it awesome to not just have Celiac, but be in the 1% of highly symptomatic cases?!?).

 

I find I crave sweets after lunch, so the glucose idea another user mentioned might actually be my issue...definitely going to try the dark chocolate trick. I figured it was high metabolism and not eating enough protein...but even with protein, veggies, and Greek yogurt, I can still be hungry within the hour. It could also be a combination of all of this, so maybe a balance is needed, and maybe more gluten-free carbs to help feel full. I also think 5 small meals a day (or more!) might be the best way to go, definitely something to try. Then we eat every couple of hours and don't have a chance to be hungry. It's also supposed to be great for losing weight or getting in shape (when eating balanced, small meals) because it keeps your digestive tract moving and helps boost your metabolism (in theory).

 

When I work out a lot, I definitely need to eat ridiculous amounts of food, I think that's totally normal. I add a gluten-free whey protein shake to my diet when I'm working out (just the powder and almond milk; I make a proper shake when I have time: yogurt, almond milk, berries, whey powder). And there are gluten-free protein bars that save me during long mornings or afternoons when I can't fix a meal. Try munching on these, a few bites every 30 minutes to stave off hunger.

 

I think if glucose issues are ruled out, and you're strictly gluten free, then it all comes down to balancing food intake. Also, make sure you're not intolerant to anything else you're gorging on! I cut out a huge amount of dairy I was eating and I started having more energy and feeling less bloated. And if you're still healing from gluten, then give it time and the hunger *pains* and bloating should go away, then you can concentrate on balancing your diet and using some of these hunger tips. Make sure there are no hidden sources of gluten in your food too...that would explain everything right there. 

[NoGlutenCooties]

One thing that has really helped me is getting a good dose of easily digestable protein in the morning.  I use Designer Whey protein powder, French Vanila flavor.  It actually tastes good - even just mixed in water - doesn't have that weird chemical-like after-taste that you get with most protein powders, is certified gluten free, low sugar, and 18 grams of easily digestible protein.  Beware other flavors though - they are higher in sugar and lower in protein. 

 

I also find that I need a bit of protein with every meal and snack.  I cannot eat vegies or fruit alone without a bit a protein with it.  It is as if without the protein my stomach has been awakened and not given enough to do and it screams for more.

[GFinDC]

It does take a while (as in months) to adjust to being gluten-free.  It's a big change for most people, and the body needs to adjust.  One thing that might be happening is you are used to being bloated all the time, and now when you are not so bloated your stomach feels empty.  Drinking lots of water might help that.

 

Being hungry after going gluten-free for a bit is pretty normal I think.  Your body starts healing and that requires building lots of new tissue and that takes supplies, like vitamins and minerals etc.  You can't build a pyramid without stone!  So getting plenty of protein is a good idea.  Staying away form sugar and carbs is also helpful.  Pro-biotics, ad digestive enzymes can also help.

[sandsurfgirl]

When I first went gluten free I was starving all the time for a few months. I was very sick at diagnosis so it took me 6 months to feel normal and have a symptom free day. Hang in there! It gets better!