Starving

[MELINE]

Hello everyone

The problem is that I am starving all the time. I mean I eat huge amounts of food and I just can't feel that I am ok. I must eat every 3 hours and if I don't I think I will fall down. Just for dinner 5 plates is too much and I am TOO SKINY.

The whole thing started when I went gluten-free.

Any ideas? I don't actually mind, I am just concerned. Is there any connection between starving and candida? or leaky gut?? It is not just craving for some kinds of foods. It is STARVING!!! I've stopped going to gym because when I go, I am even more starving.......

Thank you

Meline

[lorka150]

Hi Meline,

Are you eating a balanced diet of protein, complex carbohydrates, and good fats? Eating every three hours is normal. Yes, once you start absorbing again, your body is hungry to replenish itself from malnourishment, but its important to maintain a very healthy lifestyle.

[pele]

The problem is that I am starving all the time.

I don't know why, Meline, but I am starving, too, so you are not alone. I am on the Specific Carb Diet and dropped dairy recently. If I am home I eat non-stop. I weigh about two pounds less than I did when I went gluten-free in March 2007. Lately I have been snacking on dried pineapple and peanut butter inbetween meals. I go through pb and dried fruit by the pound.

I have a non-celiac, overweight friend who has had weight reduction surgery. She didn't believe me when I told her I am starving all the time. SHE is starving all the time and has the weight to prove it.

So maybe everyone is starving unless they use appetite supressants like tobacco and coffee. Maybe us humans evolved this far by eating everything we could get our hands on.

I'd like to hear other opinions on this, too...

[BRUMI1968]

You're not also thirsy, are you? I ask because high levels of hunger and thirst can be signs of diabetes.

[MELINE]

Hi Meline,

Are you eating a balanced diet of protein, complex carbohydrates, and good fats? Eating every three hours is normal. Yes, once you start absorbing again, your body is hungry to replenish itself from malnourishment, but its important to maintain a very healthy lifestyle.

Hello lorka150...

Thanks for your answer......

well yes I am doing the combination you said (protein-carbos-fats) and nothing changes......I wish that the whole thing is happening because I am healthy now.....

[MELINE]

I don't know why, Meline, but I am starving, too, so you are not alone. I am on the Specific Carb Diet and dropped dairy recently. If I am home I eat non-stop. I weigh about two pounds less than I did when I went gluten-free in March 2007. Lately I have been snacking on dried pineapple and peanut butter inbetween meals. I go through pb and dried fruit by the pound.

I have a non-celiac, overweight friend who has had weight reduction surgery. She didn't believe me when I told her I am starving all the time. SHE is starving all the time and has the weight to prove it.

So maybe everyone is starving unless they use appetite supressants like tobacco and coffee. Maybe us humans evolved this far by eating everything we could get our hands on.

I'd like to hear other opinions on this, too...

so that makes 2 of us.....good.....

me, I am eating sesame butter between meals. A lot of sesame butter. but no improvement. I end up even hunger than before eating. This so strange....

My doctor said I should keep eating as long as I gain no weight but I would like an explanation....You see it is not normal. I am putting in about 3.000 cal/day and I am too too too skinny . Now I will visit my new doc and I hope he will have some answers..

[MELINE]

You're not also thirsy, are you? I ask because high levels of hunger and thirst can be signs of diabetes.

thank you for your answer.

You are right. I should check that. I am already running some blood tests in order to see if everything is ok, and there is a test for diabetes too. I am waiting for the results, but no I am not thirsty....But I still have to check it.

Meline

[pele]

I'm not thirsty either--unless its a 100 degrees and I've been outside all day.

I don't know how many calories I consume, but when I was eating gluten, it was 2500-3000 per day. Now, on the Specific Carb Diet, I feel like there is nothing to eat, not because I am intolerant, but because the diet is so restricted.

My stomach feels like an empty cavern even right after meals.

One day last week I found some winter squash in the freezer and ate a package that was meant to contain two servings. It made a huge mound on the plate, and I wasn't hungry for the rest of the evening. I suspect that the squash had a higher amount of carb than I have been getting lately and maybe that's what was so good about it.

Meline, in your case, do you think you are digesting and absorbing those calories or are they just passing through?

[gfp]

so that makes 2 of us.....good.....

me, I am eating sesame butter between meals. A lot of sesame butter. but no improvement. I end up even hunger than before eating. This so strange....

My doctor said I should keep eating as long as I gain no weight but I would like an explanation....You see it is not normal. I am putting in about 3.000 cal/day and I am too too too skinny . Now I will visit my new doc and I hope he will have some answers..

How tall are you ....?

Remember if your not adsorbing properly the calories you eat are not properly adsorbed ...

Sesame butter might be high cal but you may not be adsorbing the fat's very well.

Even though its less calories you might get more adsorbtion from simple vegetables?

You can make some grilled vegetables brushed with olive oil like Μελιτζάνα, κολοκυθοανθοί (I don't know if you learned american or English english) which have more calories but hopefully digest easily.. you can snack on.

[CuriousOne]

you don't think you have a big worm inside of you stealing your food? well... , maybe that wouldn't make sense since your symptoms started when going gluten free... hmm... sorry if that grossed you out..!

Do you think its more of a psychological thing??

[ShayFL]

Curious One....check your dates.....Seems you will be going gluten-free in the future.

[MELINE]

Meline, in your case, do you think you are digesting and absorbing those calories or are they just passing through?

no.....I don't think I am absorbing them....I think that they just get in and go out....I think I will have to ask my doc if there is a test for malabsortion (is that the word???)

why are you on a special carbo dite???

[MELINE]

How tall are you ....?

Remember if your not adsorbing properly the calories you eat are not properly adsorbed ...

Sesame butter might be high cal but you may not be adsorbing the fat's very well.

Even though its less calories you might get more adsorbtion from simple vegetables?

You can make some grilled vegetables brushed with olive oil like Μελιτζάνα, κολοκυθοανθοί (I don't know if you learned american or English english) which have more calories but hopefully digest easily.. you can snack on.

Hi there!

I am 1.61 metres and 52 kilos but I am an athlet and I look really skiny (I usually get that "eat something or you will fall down" comment). I think you use a different way to measure your weight and your height but I don't know how to do it..

You think that it may be just because I am not absorbing some kinds of food and that others may be better...? never thought of that...I'll give it a try with μελιτζάνα and κολοκυθοανθοί (that was so cute!!) Thanx so much. (I learned english english but I don't think I know what is the difference besides pronounciation...

Kisses

Meline

[MELINE]

you don't think you have a big worm inside of you stealing your food? well... , maybe that wouldn't make sense since your symptoms started when going gluten free... hmm... sorry if that grossed you out..!

Do you think its more of a psychological thing??

Hello CuriousOne!!! No you didn't gross me out!!!! I am calling my candida overgrowth ALIEN.....do you think it is because of candida that I am not getting any weight? maybe...How are you?

But no I don't think it is psychological....no way....

Kisses

[CuriousOne]

Maybe there definitely is something either eating your food before you get it, or that you don't have much villi to absorb your own food... I think the key is how does it look when the food comes out the other side you know what I mean? I'm not an expert though maybe some other people can chime in.

I just started this thing where I only eat if I'm hungry. I find that alot of the time I was eating before was just because I was bored/tired/looking for pleasure/etc etc.

But now when I finally -do- eat, I enjoy my food so much more. And I just feel better now this way. I think its good too, because it gives your body time to really clean up after itself after it digests a meal...instead of shoving more food inside of you... you would think after awhile the body wouldn't have enough time to clean itself back up if you are always eating.

Take Care

[MELINE]

I think the key is how does it look when the food comes out the other side you know what I mean?

Ha hahahahaha....I like the way you are trying to be polite!!!! Well it doesn't look good on the other side.....sometimes I can see what I had for dinner .....you know what I mean....???

[BRUMI1968]

I had this problem for a while, where I had a lot of undigested food in the loo every time I relieved myself. I had it tested, and they did not say I had malabsorption, though I don't know what their critera was (regular lab at school that isn't too tuned in to digestive disorders...) I started using digestive enzymes and Betain HCI for a while, and it got a lot better. The enzymes help to digest the food with enzymes (obviously I suppose) and the Betain HCI raisees the stomach acid. Lots of folks with Celiac disease have low stomach acid and can't digest properly. (An important thing to note about low stomach acid, is that it especially limits your ability to absorb vitamin B12!)

Digestive enzymes can be expensive, though I think HCI is pretty cheap. Make SURE the digestive enzymes are good and don't have gluten. I used DigestGold myself, and they worked great. I have also used Rainbow Light...but the DigestGold's worked better (very strong).

I find I don't need to take them now - only if I eat meat or something do I take them. Since I'm mostly raw, I've got oodles of enzymes already in there. Also, you can experience some 'heartburn' on the Betain HCI. Try taking the enzymes at the END of the meal, even though the bottle will say before; and the Betain HCI at the beginning - or split the dose beginning/middle/end or something along those lines if it is bothering you. Of course, you may not have low stomach acid at all - but it sure helped me out.

Good luck.

[pele]

no.....I don't think I am absorbing them....I think that they just get in and go out....I think I will have to ask my doc if there is a test for malabsortion (is that the word???)

why are you on a special carbo dite???

Hi Meline

I am on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), found on the web at breakingtheviciouscycle.com

There is a thread here under Leaky Gut Issues on the SCD, probably down to page 3 or 4 by now. I would love to see the thread revived.

The purpose of SCD is to heal the gut that has been damaged by disease. The diet eliminates foods that are not fully digested and thus promote growth of bad bacteria which in turn damage the gut even more. The diet is supposed to be temporary. No grain, potatoes, corn or sugar is allowed. Only meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, hard cheese, yogurt, honey, some dried beans and nuts.

I started it after not feeling lilke I was healing well after a year on a gluten-free diet. So far it seems to be working. After 7 weeks on the SCD I feel better and my digestion is much better (far less unpredictable D). Because the diet is so restricted, I have been able to determine that dairy is a problem for me and have eliminated it. I feel stronger, more energetic, I'm sleeping less, and my toenails and fingernails are growing out with a distinctly different look.

BTW, I read somewhere on this forum that sesame has laxative qualities.

[MELINE]

II started using digestive enzymes and Betain HCI for a while, and it got a lot better. The enzymes help to digest the food with enzymes (obviously I suppose) and the Betain HCI raisees the stomach acid. Lots of folks with Celiac disease have low stomach acid and can't digest properly. (An important thing to note about low stomach acid, is that it especially limits your ability to absorb vitamin B12!)

Good luck.

ok that is something I've never heard and I didn't even know it existed. Digestive enzymes? I will definately discuss it with my doctor. Thank you so much for the info. I'll look it up in the net. And the Betain HCI.

THANX!!!!!

Meline

[purple]

I have started cooking with added fiber and protein wherever I can sneak it in. I tried whey (from biochem sports, its gluten-free and lactose free, casein ? it doesn't say on the box) in rice tortillas, whey in smoothies and other things, ground flax seed in muffins, some coconut flour in baked goods, chia seeds, when I buy some, bake with unpeeled zucchini or apples in muffins etc, putting chopped nuts in all my baked goods, ground seeds and nuts in casseroles and baked goods, switching rice flour mixes to part sorghum flour(good in muffins and apple cake). I just read that you can't have sugar but in whatever you can eat try to add the things I listed if you can tolerate them. The fiber will help you to feel full and the protein will keep you from getting so hungry. You could munch on raw trail mix. Make your own and pack it with you. Two of the healthiest nuts are (raw) almonds and walnuts.

Trail Mix

Mix together various amounts of your gluten-free, raw favorites:

almonds, walnuts, raisins, unsweetened coconut, banana chips, sunflower kernals, pumpkin seed kernals, cashews, flax seed, etc. (avoid peanuts)

Put some in a baggie and munch before you feel starving. You should do a Candida cleanse. Candida love yeast, fruit and sugar so avoid it. Check what else to avoid for Candida. Take a probiotic daily like acidophilus bifidus. Take caprylic acid, it destroys candida. Take essential fatty acids like flaxseed oil or evening primrose oil, prevents the fungus from destroying cells. Take fresh garlic or capsules daily-antifungal, antibacterial, antibiotic, antioxidant. The probiotics, caprylic acid, essential fatty acids, and the garlic also do 100's of other good things in your body. Check out www.swansonvitamins.com. They sell supplements cheap and sell name brands cheaper than anywhere else. They sell biochem whey which the internet said was about the best. They sell raw organic nuts too. They sell complex B vitamins and digestive enzymes as someone else mentioned. Any size order is 5 bucks to ship and it comes in about 4 or 5 business days. Call for a catalog. 1-800-437-4148. I hope some or at least one thing here will help you. I will pray for you too.

[MELINE]

I hope some or at least one thing here will help you. I will pray for you too.

OMG........So much info!!! Your ideas are very helpful...you seem to know may tips... I'll definately try those things you propose. Thank you so much. It really means a lot for me.

Meline

[KimmyJ]

Meline -

I didn't read through all of the responses, so sorry if I'm repeating anyone, but I really think you might benefit from going to see a nutritionist. You have quite a list of foods that you cannot eat there, and I think it might be of benefit to you to see a nutritionist because they can help give you ideas for meals, and also make sure that you're eating habits are balanced, and that you're eating everything that you need. I fully agree with the idea of getting some digestive enzymes, they have made a big difference for me personally in the past, but I would make sure that you know that you're eating properly as well. Just because something worked well me does not always mean that it's what you need. Just be sure that you're exploring all the possibilities so that you find what will be best for you. GL figuring this out!

[MELINE]

Meline -

I didn't read through all of the responses, so sorry if I'm repeating anyone, but I really think you might benefit from going to see a nutritionist. You have quite a list of foods that you cannot eat there, and I think it might be of benefit to you to see a nutritionist because they can help give you ideas for meals, and also make sure that you're eating habits are balanced, and that you're eating everything that you need. I fully agree with the idea of getting some digestive enzymes, they have made a big difference for me personally in the past, but I would make sure that you know that you're eating properly as well. Just because something worked well me does not always mean that it's what you need. Just be sure that you're exploring all the possibilities so that you find what will be best for you. GL figuring this out!

yes you are right. What is good for me doesn't mean it is good for other people too. I've been to a nutritionist and she gave me a balanced diet so I get all the necessary ingredients but she cannot make me feel full. On tte contrary...She told me to eat smal meals 6-7 times a day, and I just can't do that. When I told her I am losing wait she said that it is just me metabolism (spelling?) working too good and that now that I stopped eating toxins my body is losing all the un-necessary water and fat (like I had any.....) Any way maybe I should get a second opinion. I already asked my doctor about the digestive enzymes you and the others proposed me and he wrote me some. I'll see if they make any difference for me!!

Thanx

[frec]

I am so relieved to read this. I have been starving too--also losing weight again after already losing 15 pounds this year. I just was diagnosed with Candida and I am trying to follow the diet, but with everything else I can't eat it is hard. I've been very good except for fruit. I eat nuts, eggs, cooked vegetables with olive oil, vegetable juices, beans, yams, meat, nut milks, rice milk and nut butters. I don't have many carbohydrates and I make sure they are whole grain. But I had a crazy idea--is this ravenous hunger just all my little yeast invaders crying out for sugar? Maybe this is a good sign; maybe I am killing them!

Meline--the digestive enzymes and Betaine HCl have helped me. I hope you feel better soon.

[MELINE]

I am so relieved to read this. I have been starving too--also losing weight again after already losing 15 pounds this year. I just was diagnosed with Candida and I am trying to follow the diet, but with everything else I can't eat it is hard. I've been very good except for fruit. I eat nuts, eggs, cooked vegetables with olive oil, vegetable juices, beans, yams, meat, nut milks, rice milk and nut butters. I don't have many carbohydrates and I make sure they are whole grain. But I had a crazy idea--is this ravenous hunger just all my little yeast invaders crying out for sugar? Maybe this is a good sign; maybe I am killing them!

Meline--the digestive enzymes and Betaine HCl have helped me. I hope you feel better soon.

I think Betaine HCI is something everyone in this forum is taking and it seems it is helpful!!!!!!! I will check it out! thank you!!!

Can I ask you something..? How did you get diagnosed for candida??? I have all the symptoms, I've been taking antibiotics since I was 11 years old and I've been eating HUGE amounts of sugars but doc said blood tests are ok and they show no candida. He was surprised too, cause I have a white coated tongue, and I've experienced dying off too too hard when I started olive leaf extract and changed my diet but still blood test negative. What test did you have????

(hold on to that ahgrrrrrr....candida diet...I know it is hard....)