SO HUNGRY. All. The. Time.

[heyitsmissa]

Alright. It appears this has been asked before, but I'm gonna ask again. 

I've been gluten free about 3 weeks. Lately, I'm always hungry. Always, always hungry. Is this part of the healing process for real?!? Gluten withdrawal? What exactly is that? Is it literally like a drug withdrawal/detox? 

I'm 5'3", 120 lbs and eating more than my husband who's a foot taller and has 50 pounds on me. HELP?! Also, I'm not eating poorly. Meats, veggies, rice, etc. Healthy. Filling. Fiber filled. What else can I do?!

[squirmingitch]

Gluten withdrawal. I literally vacuumed with one hand while eating an apple with the other. Could not stay away from food for 2 minutes. Don't worry about it hon, it will run it's course & go away. Just go with the flow right now & eat your fool head off. Hang in there.

[heyitsmissa]

Alrighty, eat I shall. Lol. *really hoping I don't gain weight* 

[squirmingitch]

I didn't gain an ounce & I really needed to. I am 5'2" & was down to 92 lbs. 

[Irene Joanne]

I feel like this two months into the diet- dietician told me I need more grains in my diet. It's hard when I don't like gluten free bread much and I can't eat oatmeal 

[squirmingitch]

4 minutes ago, Irene Joanne said:

I feel like this two months into the diet- dietician told me I need more grains in my diet. It's hard when I don't like gluten free bread much and I can't eat oatmeal 

There's buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa and rice.

[Irene Joanne]

12 minutes ago, squirmingitch said:

There's buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa and rice.

True- I have quinoa and rice, but never tried the other two

[squirmingitch]

Oh, & I forgot corn -- grits, fresh or frozen corn, cornbread, hush puppies......

Buckwheat is versitile -- if you put cream & sugar on it, it's much like cream of wheat but if you put salt & butter on it, it tastes more like grits. Quinoa is good with some honey on it or you can make sort of a quinoa pilaf:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Amaranth, well you just have to try amaranth but it's good. Here are some ideas:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

[Irene Joanne]

12 minutes ago, squirmingitch said:

Oh, & I forgot corn -- grits, fresh or frozen corn, cornbread, hush puppies......

Buckwheat is versitile -- if you put cream & sugar on it, it's much like cream of wheat but if you put salt & butter on it, it tastes more like grits. Quinoa is good with some honey on it or you can make sort of a quinoa pilaf:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Amaranth, well you just have to try amaranth but it's good. Here are some ideas:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Thanks a million!

[squirmingitch]

You're welcome!

BTW, This place is great for corn meal, grits, hush puppy mix, cornbread mix, etc.... they also have some rices. Certified gluten-free! They grow it, harvest it, truck it, mill it, & bag it in bags they sew & print themselves. No chance of cross contamination anywhere!

Open Original Shared Link

[cyclinglady]

I am pretty much grain free because I am diabetic (my meter tells me so!)   So, I fill up on plenty of fats!  I have been gluten-free for three years, so I have dairy back.  I add cream to everything!  Lots of butter, olive and coconut oils, avocados and fat from meat.  Bacon! Bacon! Bacon!  Anyway, my cholesterol levels are great (only carbs from veggies).  

Consider adding fats into your diet.  It should help satiate you.  

Right now, your body is craving food because it was probably deprived.  Just go with it.  It should ease up!  

Happy healing!  

[manasota]

Over my 6 gluten-free years, I have endured this "Starving Syndrome" several times.  Actually, I have lost count.  I am 5'4" and frequently eat more than my 6'4" husband.  My weight has gone from a low of 93 lbs. to my current high of 105 lbs.  I eat as much as I possibly can.  

I agree about the fats helping me to feel full.  I'm beginning to test out the "grain hypothesis" as mentioned above.

It seems (feels) to me that when I go through a major healing spurt, my body just wants more food!  No idea if this is actually what is happening.  Still, I have come to look at it as a "good thing" when my body wants lots of food.  I just relax and try to give my SMART body what it wants.

[heyitsmissa]

Thanks everyone! I definitely think it was a healing spurt/still likely is. I'm starting to feel better and my back pain is much less frequent. Energy seems to be getting better too. Is this possible only almost-3 weeks in? Seems so early. 

[squirmingitch]

It's possible. However, it's also possible it's a temporary "feel good". The first 6 months - even a year - can be rather roller coaster like. Some days/weeks great & then boom, the bottom seems to drop out. Just try to go with the flow, keep your diet clean, drink lots of water & try to keep the stress level down. Let's hope you are one of the lucky ones who just keeps feeling better & better from here on out. There are people who experience that so don't let me get you down with what I've said. I just want you to be aware. 

[cap6]

I run with the gluten withdrawal.  Also, your body is starting to heal and you are now processing the nutrients.  Up until now your body may well have been in a starvation mode as your nutrients went sailing right through you.  As ,long as you are eating good, clean, healthy foods I wouldn't worry.  During my first year there were times when I would wake up at night and actually eat a meal cause I was so hungry!   Chomp away!