Intermittent Fasting + Reduced Hunger

Graelwyn75

Is it normal, when doing IF to find when the time comes to actually eat, you are not as turned on by food, nor as hungry as when you had snacks in the day? I find that after going 14-16 hours without food, when I do eat my first meal, I get a belly ache, presumably because it is empty. A bit like indigestion pain. I tend to fast from around 1am until 4 or 5pm, but today it was 3am through until 6pm when I had my dinner. Maybe I need to start with a snack rather than a full on meal to break the fast ? Ideas ?

seena511

i don't do IF, but i've experienced this when i've had to inadvertently go longer than i'd like without eating. i think it's an ancient defense mechanism - to keep you from getting too distracted by hunger to notice the lion about to rip your head off and eat you or something along those lines.

cmriverside

I do IF, and I start with a 400 calorie meal.

I usually have a 200-300 calorie snack not too long after that (usually 2 hours later).

Then I have a large meal about five hours after that.

(16/8)

jacksonpt

I'm 3 weeks into IF and never experienced anything like this.

1223345

This happened to me. Of course, I though it was a good thing as I was always binging until I did IF. It really helped me get better control, that and eliminating dietary culprits. Maybe just start with something small and see how your body like it. Maybe a little fruit or steamed veggies.

tcnoble1

I've experienced this. Part of it is a degree of acclimation to the fasted state. Being slightly hungry is no longer as noticeable, and you begin to get used to not eating when you're not actually hungry. The stomach also seems to shrink somewhat, but I'm not certain if this can be taken literally.

liittlesparrow

I don't get very excited about eating after my fast either (17 hrs). I just eat maybe a 400 calorie meal and I may feel a little full but it goes away quickly. Maybe start off with a smaller meal first? Like a snack.