Question RE: Big Cravings and Hunger on LCHF

Liadin123

Hi All... first time I've asked a question but I have one today!
I have been on the LCHF for about 2 weeks and was doing great.. I thought my cravings and hunger had been beat! But today, whew... back with a vengeance, and I'm STARVING. I've eaten a normal breakfast and lunch, and still, I'm hungry. I want to eat ALL THE CARBS IN THE WORLD right now. (okay a small exaggeration, sort of).

Do hormones play a part in cravings? Even after a few weeks on this diet? What can be the causes of this type of severe craving attack?
I haven't binged or eaten anything off plan.... but man, do I want to.

Ideas welcome!
Thanks

Sunny_Bunny_

Eating anything sweet, even keto compliant sweet foods makes me feel hungry.
Exercise does too.
Sometimes I'm just hungrier for no apparent reason.
Sometimes I think I'm hungrier around TOM.
I say if it's true hunger, eat. I would choose fatty meat or eggs.
Too low protein consistently can make you feel hungry too. Same with too low fat. But if you're eating fatty protein, that's more unlikely if you have fat to lose. I am better satisfied when I eat beef as compared to any other meat.
Could be low sodium. Do you know about the increased sodium needs?
You're right at the point where many people that didn't know about the sodium needs start having all kinds of issues. Check out the pinned post about electrolytes. I would be surprised if you aren't feeling some of those symptoms.

Liadin123

Sunny_Bunny.. ooh.. did not know the electrolyte issue, I will check it out. Been feeling light headed so that may be it? It's also possible TOM approaches... so that may also play a part. Thanks!

ladipoet

Liadin123 wrote: »

Sunny_Bunny.. ooh.. did not know the electrolyte issue, I will check it out. Been feeling light headed so that may be it? It's also possible TOM approaches... so that may also play a part. Thanks!

Yes, feeling light-headed is definitely one of the signs of electrolyte imbalance. When you follow a Keto / LCHF way of eating (WOE), your body requires a minimum of 3000mg-5000mg of sodium (salt) every day. The easiest way to get your sodium up ASAP is to dissolve a bouillon cube in the appropriate amount of water and drink 1-2 cubes per day. Dill pickles and dill pickle juice are good sources of sodium. Heavily salting your food is also good but it can be quite difficult for some people to get enough salt by this method alone!

Liadin123

I came home and had a good cup of broth... and I already feel better. Just when you think you've done all the research..... Thanks folks for pointing the way, I was about to knaw my arm off there.... well, or eat a box of cookies.

KnitOrMiss

@Liadin123 You may also find that for the TOM sweet cravings that eating something salty and/or fatty will mute the craving. Apparently the taste buds are linked and can be sated by opposite tastes... It won't work all the time, but it can definitely blunt the edge of it enough for you to make a reasonable choice.

tcunbeliever

Your protein goal seems kind of low to me 92g? You aren't hitting it many days, plus, some days you are only hitting about 1/3 of goal. I'm not sure why your goal is what it is, but if it were me having cravings I would start with hitting at least 100g each day.

retirehappy

Liadin123 wrote: »

I came home and had a good cup of broth... and I already feel better. Just when you think you've done all the research..... Thanks folks for pointing the way, I was about to knaw my arm off there.... well, or eat a box of cookies.

Better to eat your arm off, it is full of saturated fat and protein, healthy stuff. While the box of cookies is just crap.

Liadin123

@tcunbeliever - I know re: the protein.. I find it very hard to meet that goal as it is... I get full on protein fairly quickly so I don't get much. I have found that I am not so hungry (esp. now that I fixed the sodium issue) and most meals are hard to eat all of. NEVER thought I'd say that in my life... haha, but it's true!

Liadin123

@retirehappy haha... I have tons of fat on my arm... lol... but sadly, I needs it! (the arm, not the fat)