Constant Hunger

[dbuhl79]

Does this sound firmilar to anyone..

I've been a saint the past few weeks about my gluten-free diet. I haven't touched ANYTHING remotely questionable (i.e., natural flavorings, food colorings etc.) Mainly my diet has been steamed veggies, fresh fruit, rice etc.

Suddenly last week or so I've suffered from what I call are hunger aches in the pit of my stomach. They won't go away and aren't relieved by eating food. It doesn't feel like true hunger but very similar.

(I suffered from this before going gluten-free and my doctors initially thought it was an ulcer but we've since eliminated that idea).

Has anyone else who's gluten-free suffered from this, any insight is appreciated. Getting tired of always feeling hungry..

Thanks!

[tarnalberry]

If you've mainly been eating veggies, fruit, and rice, you may not be getting enough fat or protein to keep your blood sugar stable - which would cause recurring hunger. Does it help if you have things that have more fat/protein (some meat, nuts, maybe a fair amount of peanut butter on an apple, some avocado, etc...)

[skbird]

I second that. I am hypoglycemic and if I don't get enough fat or protein I have that nagging hungry feeling all the time. Now that I am gluten-free I can get away with more carbs, less protein. But if I have a couple of days with no real meat (I'm not a veggie) then I start feeling it all the time. I've found that a great quick fix is eating a hamburger patty with some avocado and a slice of gluten-free bread. If that doesn't fix my hunger then there is something else going on...

Stephanie

[Carriefaith]

Suddenly last week or so I've suffered from what I call are hunger aches in the pit of my stomach. They won't go away and aren't relieved by eating food. It doesn't feel like true hunger but very similar.

I am currently going through the same thing, I'm always hungrey and lately nothing seems to make the hunger go away for a significant amount of time. My doctor thought I should be tested for diabetes. I'm also experienceing other symtoms in addition to this though (too many to list right now!).

[ianm]

My diet is mainly meat, green vegetables, fruits and nuts. Protien and fats take longer to digest and you don't feel hungry all of the time. A diet of mostly plants is high in carbs and digests quicker so you feel hungry more often. I have found that the right balance of protien, fats and carbs allows me to eat much less than I used to and not feel hungry.

Ianm

[dbuhl79]

Thanks for the tips guys. I hadn't thought of a lack of protein being an issue, but I imagine that may be potential cause. I'll give it a shot altering my diet.. quite frankly, its just a matter of time to grocery shop!!

[Fonda]

Yes, my stomach feels like this a lot. I can eat, and within an hour sometimes, I feel hungry again. I have gained a few pounds just by trying to keep something in my stomach. Now, since I have been on the gluten-free diet, I have been eating plain rice cakes, that seems to help for a while. (I hope they are gluten-free) And now it seems that I can't get those pounds off. I have taken nexium, (in case it was GERD) but that didn't seem to help. If I get too hungry, it really hurts.

[dbuhl79]

Fonda,

I've found hat the protein does seem to add that extra little bit I needed apparently. Hopefully I'll keep losing weight in addition to this! Good luck with yours as I know that ache hunger pain is not pleasant!

[tarnalberry]

That's great that it seems to be working for you! (Don't forget the fat - in moderation, of course! :-) )

[num1habsfan]

I do have this problem and yet I eat more than just rice. I cant eat most veggies except pretty much just lettuce and peppers, peas and corn. Even that they all run right through me. Regardless of what I eat, I eat at least 5 times a day..and I keep losing weight. People are telling me again "you've lost weight" so you know its bad when someone can notice it again..

I'd tell you how to solve it but I dont have any idea, all I can say is I know how you feel

~Lisa~

[Rikki Tikki]

I have had the same problem. I think I have seen it referred to here as starving stomach. When it hit's me it usually happens a day before I get really ill. I think I must have ingested gluten at some point, them I feel like I am starving then it's followed by sickness.

It's almost like I can't get enough food.

Hope it helps

[cdford]

If you are female, this may come and go at will without obvious cause. Whether or not you are female, it can be the protein issue or even a hidden gluten issue. I go through this every time I accidentally get glutened. Even a small amount is like alcohol or drugs to and addict. It starts that same craving cycle again for a while.