Is hunger inevitable sometimes?

electricmeow
electricmeow Posts: 68 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've had more than half of my calories, and halfway through my day. I've had this deep gnawing hunger maybe 5 inches above my navel. I can try not thinking about it, but then I do, and I'm thinking, GOSH I'm HUNGRY! But not the kind where I can eat anything and everything... its just uncomfortable and deep in there! Burning! You know what I mean? More physical than mental/behavioral?

Now granted, today I've had more carbs than usual, but I've had this same thing no matter what I have for breakfast. Even if I have mostly protein, its the same. Nutrients, macro-nutrients, and calories don't seem to matter, I'm more hungry than I should be following a 1400 calorie diet with 55% carbs 20-25% protein. {{I've lost 40lbs before, 170lbs to 130lbs...macronutrients aren't the subject of this thread}}

SO I don't remember how much hunger I endured the first time around! Are these hunger pangs just part of the process? Just part of utilizing fat stores perhaps??

Replies

  • electricmeow
    electricmeow Posts: 68 Member
    WOW I just googled this question, and apparently, its a very common situation. Lots of bodybuilders who are cutting ask this, and describe the same burning sensation.

    I think what it comes down to, is that hunger may be unavoidable...whether you're pumping more insulin, burning fat, or involving other mechanisms like ghrelin or leptin. Many nutritionists and stubborn MFP'ers try and argue NO sticking to their "multiple meals", "up your protein" arguments, but have to say, there's too many posts out there that share my same experiences.

    Question answered? Not sure. This is an interesting topic though.
  • QuilterInVA
    QuilterInVA Posts: 672 Member
    It could also be acid reflux.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Hunger is perfectly normal and should be embraced rather than avoided. You should be hungry by the time you next meal is due.

    We've become so programmed to expect instant gratification that we view hunger in a negative context (one of my pet theories is that for many of us our parents lived through rationing and food shortages / starvation during WWII and they over compensated with their offspring much the same way people who lived through the depression fixated on saving money). Delaying gratification leads to a deeper appreciation of the object of our desire.

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