IDK about being in starvation mode. I know that during certain points in my cycle I get hungry. Like, eat anything that is set in front of me hungry. And then in other parts of it I'm fine. That's the only perspective I can offer.

That, and I find myself less hungry if I eat every 3 hours or so, and eat a lot of protein. When I get really hungry (like when I have PMS), I drink more water. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I suppose that's probably why I still have some pounds to lose.

I don't even think any of this is helpful, but I was hoping maybe it would be. Instead it's just rambly.

Work on your sugar and carb intake. After several months on MFP and tracking my food I've noticed a trend that I'm much hungrier when I eat more carbs. For example, this Sunday I was bad and decided I wanted doughnuts. I ended up eating 4. I clearly was not hungry or should be hungry after that, but felt hungry 2 hours later. Those four doughnuts were easily 1500+ calories. Today I had a two egg omelet with veggies, and two hours later still feel fine, not a tad bit hungry. Carbs, especially white flour breads and pastas are burned very quickly, spiking your insulin levels and making you feel hungry again shortly after. A few suggestions- for breakfast eggs and veggies are great, for lunch a nice big salad with lots of greens and some kind of protein (chicken, tuna, salmon, steak, hard boiled egg, etc.), and then a nice protein and another large serving of veggies at dinner. I'm not saying cut all carbs because veggies are carbs, but limit the "fluff" in your diet. When I say "fluff" I mean highly processed foods (if you need more info research "clean eating").

You may also want to experiment with Intermittent Fasting. After trying this method I learned I have more control over my hunger than I previously thought. I tried the 16/8 method, which basically means you eat in an 8-hour window, then don't eat again for 16 hours. It equated to me skipping breakfast, having lunch at 1 p.m., and then stopping all eating by 9 p.m. It was really difficult the first week. I felt weak and almost delirious, but then it got easy. I'm hardly hungry in the mornings now which has the ripple effect that helps me control my eating throughout the day. I don't do IF consistently now, but am glad I tried it because using that mindset I finally realized I am in control. I felt powerless to my hunger before, but for some reason putting a strict set of rules (only eating between 1-9 p.m.) put me in the right frame of mind to have power over the cravings.

I had decided to cut weight before a race and ate very low calories. After a couple of days I had a strange metallic taste and worried something was wrong. I was told it is ketosis. I ate a bit more and was fine. It is okay to be a little hungry but don't starve, your blood sugar will be too low.the more you eat smalller meals your stomach will shrink and the meals will fill you up. Drink lots of water and make sure you are hungry and not bored.

Eat more filling foods helps. Go for foods that are low on the Glycemic Index, and don't be afraid of fats. Loading up on Omega 3 fats will help keep you satiated. High-fiber foods work as well. If it's high in sugar or processed grains, it won't keep you full nomatter how many or few calories you are eating. Hope that helps!