Starving/always Hungry

[hermitgirl]

So since my diagnosis in September, obviously I am way more careful about what I am putting into myself. My problem is I am always starving . No matter how much or how little or how often I am always hungry. When I eat, no matter how much I eat I am still hungry. I never even remotely feel "full" or close. I am already over my ideal weight, and am miserable just trying to not gain any more. In the process of getting my thyroid checked but really getting more frustrated than anything. I do exercise regularly, both weights and cardio. Any ideas?

[RiceGuy]

Yes, I was always hungry too. Ravenous, in fact. I would literally stuff myself until I couldn't swallow another bite, and yet I was still hungry. It was very frustrating. So, I researched a few things, and concluded that I needed to improve nutrient absorption. Magnesium has helped me, as has a multivitamin. I also pureed all my food in the blender. The hunger persisted for nearly a year, but thankfully, has diminished to what appears to be fairly normal.

You may also find benefit from a digestive enzyme supplement. Other things which are said to help digestion include betaine HCL w/pepsin, and raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, Apple Cider Vinegar.

In short, I think given a good healthy, nutrient-rich diet, and sufficient time, you will get there.

I know I'm not the only one who can relate to the constant hunger, so perhaps others will chime in too.

HTH

[lovegrov]

I was absolutely ravenous for months, even when I was gaining too much weight.

I have two theories about it. Neither one is based on any science I can show. First, I think our bodies are craving all the good nutrients we haven't gotten for years. Second, at least in my case, I was really used to eating tons of food without gaining weight.

richard

[ang1e0251]

Man, when I'm hungry, I'm really hungry! Part for me, I think was, no matter what I ate I wasn't getting the vitamins I needed. I added the B12 and that really helped. Now I can feel full and satisfied if I get enough protein. The protein makes the difference for me. It can be meat, nuts, or cheeses. Those things satisfy me like no other. I can't have fresh dairy or I would add cottage cheese and yogurt to that list.

I try to keep those foods around me at all times to keep that hunger dog away. I also tend to hypoglycemic so I have to watch out for the low blood sugar crashes. Those foods keep me stable.

[rinne]

I've had that kind of ravenous hunger too, the pattern seems to be I eat and eat for several days and gain weight but then I just can't keep eating so much and the weight drops off. I think when I am that hungry I should eat, what works best for me is lots of protein and vegies, some fruit and nuts. I don't eat processed foods.

What is your diet like?

[hermitgirl]

I eat a lot of protein,(meats, nuts and some dairy/soy) fruits and veggies. I do try to have a variety, but that isn't as easy as it sounds. My nutritionist is at a loss when she looks at my food logs. (which is why she keeps sending me for all these other tests) It doesn't matter how much protein or fiber is in a meal, I am still hungry. It is even worse the next day if I try to limit how much I eat the previous day.

[rinne]

Since you were just diagnosed in September I wonder if your body just needs to do this. Were you thin before?

Your diet sounds healthy although I am not a fan of soy, I don't think we really understand what we are doing with it.

I think it is important to trust our bodies and if your body is telling you "feed me" then I would listen, really listen to what it is your body wants to eat. Your body is wanting nutrients, the question is what? Have you had your vitamin and mineral levels checked?

[Bell]

How much fat do you eat?

I think we need more than is generally thought, especially good quality organic animal fats, butter, coconut oil and olive oil. I find that the more fat i eat, the more satisfied I feel. And I can easily go all day on a good breakfast, whereas if I ate something low fat and/or carb heavy, i would have a real problem with low energy, both mental and physical. And it was always hard, even with eating chocolate and apparently energy-filled food to try and boost myself up

Animal fat is fantastically good for you - I buy organic stock bones from the butcher, add herbs and garlic etc and make a GORGEOUS tasty stock and keep the tasty layer of fat that settles as it cools. Coconut oil is great for your thyroid, and gives you bags of energy, butter is great for your heart despite the bad press it gets, plus it's just very lovely in everything.

The brain is full of cholesterol - we do need to feed it in order to keep mentally well.

It's great for your blood sugar levels,

Also, you will absorb the vitamins and minerals in your veggies much better if they are eaten with a little melted butter.

[rinne]

Good points.

I know I craved fat, I ate spoonfuls of almond butter at one point but can't imagine eating that much of it now.

[marciab]

So since my diagnosis in September, obviously I am way more careful about what I am putting into myself. My problem is I am always starving . No matter how much or how little or how often I am always hungry. When I eat, no matter how much I eat I am still hungry. I never even remotely feel "full" or close. I am already over my ideal weight, and am miserable just trying to not gain any more. In the process of getting my thyroid checked but really getting more frustrated than anything. I do exercise regularly, both weights and cardio. Any ideas?

It could also be a blood glucose problem.

Open Original Shared Link

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia causes symptoms such as

hunger

shakiness

nervousness

sweating

dizziness or light-headedness

sleepiness

confusion

difficulty speaking

anxiety

weakness

[WW340]

I was constantly hungry when I first started the diet. In fact, I was beginning to think I just couldn't do the gluten free diet, because I felt like I was starving all the time. Once I increased my protein, mainly eggs, peanut butter, and chicken, the hunger went away. I eat 2 - 3 eggs almost everyday. My cholesterol is slightly elevated, but my doctor wants me to continue eating the way I am for now.

I gained about 10 pounds the first year on the diet and have just recently lost 5 of those by eliminating all carbs except for fruits and veggies.

I agree with the increased fat. My body is much happier now that I watch the carbs rather than the fat.

[Amy Gallagher]

My fiance is the one with celiac disease, but I recently started eating gluten free with him. I can tell you that I'm starving too, and I don't even have digestion issues. Only when I bump up my protein intake...peanut butter, sushi, beef, do I feel remotely full.

[Jestgar]

I was also starving for several months after quitting gluten. And I'm a lot over my "ideal weight". Your body is trying to heal from a horrendous experience. My approach was to eat as much as a wanted, but just choose healthy foods as much as possible. I actually lost weight while doing this, and once my hunger stabilized and I could make even better food choices, I lost more weight.

Focus on health over appearance right now. Yes, you might gain a bit, but once your body is back to healthy you can work on getting back to looking healthy as well.

[RiceGuy]

I find it interesting that many report needing more protein. In contrast, I found that I had to cut proteins down for awhile, otherwise there'd be a lot of fluid retention in the extremities. Perhaps that's one reason I was hungry, but I was having such difficulty with the swelling as it was.

As for fats - yes, they are important. I really had to eat a bunch of it at first, because my body was draining all reserves. Obviously, you don't want trans-fats though.

It's always amazing how differently our bodies deal with Celiac.

[hermitgirl]

I was thin before this started. I have gained 30 pounds in the last 2 years, which is about how long ago that the symptoms started to show. 15 pounds ago my dr told me that I should not gain any more weight, as cholesterol and blood pressure where starting to go up. My last glucose tests all came back normal, I know that I was slightly anemic right before the diagnosis. That was one of the symptoms, but that literally seemed to happen in about a 6 month time frame. I went from being able to donate blood regularly to being turned down every time I would go due to iron levels. I think they are checking for some vitamin deficiencies with this last round of bloodwork. As far as the protein goes, even when I eat a lot of protein, it doesn't help curb the hunger. I do eat a lot of nuts (almonds, peanut butter) which my nutritionist tells me I need to cut back on. Lately I feel like I am a mouse in a cage on a wheel. Running and getting nowhere.

[rinne]

I was thin before this started. I have gained 30 pounds in the last 2 years, which is about how long ago that the symptoms started to show. 15 pounds ago my dr told me that I should not gain any more weight, as cholesterol and blood pressure where starting to go up. My last glucose tests all came back normal, I know that I was slightly anemic right before the diagnosis. That was one of the symptoms, but that literally seemed to happen in about a 6 month time frame. I went from being able to donate blood regularly to being turned down every time I would go due to iron levels. I think they are checking for some vitamin deficiencies with this last round of bloodwork. As far as the protein goes, even when I eat a lot of protein, it doesn't help curb the hunger. I do eat a lot of nuts (almonds, peanut butter) which my nutritionist tells me I need to cut back on. Lately I feel like I am a mouse in a cage on a wheel. Running and getting nowhere.

It is hard to feel that way but I wonder if when you look back whether or not you can see improvements. I know the days I feel discouraged I sometimes stop and realize that although I am not yet well, I am so much better.

I am glad they are testing to see whether or not their are deficiencies. It is good to ask for a copy of those results and check them against other standards. I mention this because my doctor (not any more) told me my B levels were fine even though they were critically low. On the sheet it said clearly that the acceptable range was between 178 and 788 and mine we 220 so the doctor was correct, but the range is not, 500 is better and at 220 I was having neurological problems.

Thank you for bringing this topic up.

I recall wondering if I was ever going to feel satisfied again, I do now. There is hope.

[JAM]

So since my diagnosis in September, obviously I am way more careful about what I am putting into myself. My problem is I am always starving . No matter how much or how little or how often I am always hungry. When I eat, no matter how much I eat I am still hungry. I never even remotely feel "full" or close. I am already over my ideal weight, and am miserable just trying to not gain any more. In the process of getting my thyroid checked but really getting more frustrated than anything. I do exercise regularly, both weights and cardio. Any ideas?

Me TOO! I was diagnosed in October. I did not have any digestive symptoms of celiac. I had several years of worrisome blood tests ( which bothered the MD;s not me) and was repeated visits to specialists. Now I am starving and gaining weight and feeling awful! I am a vegetarian (pressured to eat dairy and eggs in recent years to prove to the MD's being a veg was not the cause of my condition))...I was told I needed 80 grams of protein a day....I did and gained 15 pounds. Perhaps I was used to being able to eat and not gain weight but I was never hungry all the time. The MD sees the weight gain as showing that his diagnoses is correct. Not having had uncomfortable symptoms I am not aware of feeling better now that I am wheat free. I feel fat and hungry and very tempted to forget the whole thing.

[julirama723]

I'm jumping on the "good fats" wagon with this one! )

Fat tastes good, and it's very satisfying. If I eat a meal does not have enough fat, I do NOT feel satisfied, and often I end up getting hungry again, much too soon. Make sure to eat fat with each meal or snack to keep blood sugar stable. I was at first a skeptic when it came to low-carbing, but it really does work--when I cut out higher carb foods and eat enough fat, I lose weight and stay fit. (Low-carbing is also great for working out! You have a constant supply of energy.)

Yummy fat sources:

avocados

nuts (peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.)

nut butters

full-fat dairy (if not dairy-free, milk, cheese, yogurt, Greek yogurt, sour cream, heavy cream)

olive oil

butter

mayonnaise

animal fats (skin on chicken, ground beef, salmon)

seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.)

coconut products

[hermitgirl]

Got all my results yesterday other than cholesterol. Tests all came back normal. No deficiencies, thyroid is normal, just low on testosterone. (didn't know us women could get low on that). Any new ideas?

[Gfresh404]

I think I know why we get these cravings. It almost always happens to me after I accidentally consume gluten. Once that happens it forms a barrier around the small intestine and our absorption of nutrients is greatly decreased. So no matter how much we eat it does not really matter since we are not absorbing the majority of the calories/nutrients anyway.

I go through the exact same thing that everyone else has described. I have found this probiotic Threelac to be a miracle worker, without it I do not think I could ever get full. A simple acidophilus probiotic might do the trick too as Three can be quite expensive, around 45 bucks. I know probiotics greatly increase digestive fire.

Here are some other awesome tips that seem to work wonders:

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