Eating disorder --> Always hungry

acorsaut89 wrote: »

You have a huge appetite, as you said. The OP] is recovering from an ED, are you? Simply increasing calories doesn't help those recovering from an ED. Damage could have been done to the body which needs to be fixed/healed. There's a lot more to it than just eat a huge amount in the middle of the day and then add a huge chicken breast salad to hit 2,000 calories.

Food is the medicine in ED recovery. Lots of food as fuel to repair the damage that has been done. Increasing calories is vital for those recovering. Obviously that is not the ONLY aspect of recovery, but it is the first and most important.

You already said you do not know much of anything about ED's, so why offer advice on something you know nothing about? Not trying to be rude, this is just a sensitive topic and giving random advice isn't helpful.

To the OP--extreme hunger is very common in recovery. Keep doing what you're doing, fueling your body with those much needed calories.

Brooke4206 wrote: »

I am recovering from disordered eating. I used to eat about 800 calories a day and I slowly have been able to raise them this past year to 1800-2000 yo-yo-ing. However, it isn't consistent and I end up thinking about food all day. I lost my period over a year ago as well and now am concerned about not being able to have children. I've been to the doctor and they'll going to put me on some medication to see if it can be "jump started." Anyways, This past month I have quit counting and started eating regular food. I used to only eat certain foods day in and day out. But now that i've begun eating all types of food, and listening to my body.. i'm starving. All the time. I'll eat a meal and be hungry 45 minutes later. I'm just always hungry and i'm so fearful that I'm just going to gain so much by simply listening to what my body wants.. anyone know why this is or has anyone been through it?

I've also been getting bad headaches multiple times a day since I started this. Not sure if this relates but thought it might.

I had a similar experience when recovering from my eating disorder (struggled with the disease for about 9 months). The constant hunger was part of daily life for around 3 or 4 months. I slowly increased my calorie intake (whole foods & gluten free {I'm celiac}) stopped counting calories and started eating in response to my body.

I would have small calorie dense snacks (nuts, yogurt, dried fruit, hardboiled eggs etc.) all throughout the day and drink lots of water to curb my hunger (which was frustratingly always lingering) rather then have wait and have large meals to get my calories. From that point my intake became more and more self regulated and instinctual and eventually the intense hunger faded. At first I felt bad eating more then 1800-2000 calories but letting go of that was immensely important in my mental and physical recovery, it was certainly my turning point. I had similar concerns about weight gain but honestly recovery was so much easier once i simply let that go and accepted my hunger. Just do your best to respond with whole foods.

As for your period, I truly advocate for giving your body time to recover completely without the hormonal interference of drugs such as birth control. It took me a while longer then expected to get my period back, around a year and 3 months (regular weight has been achieved several months prior) ; I was concerned but the wait was worth it. It will come back once your body reaches a weight and status where it feels comfortable putting that extra stress on your body so don't get too worried I did talk to a nutritionist and therapist whilst this was going on and i took natural natural supplements such as maca root powder and iron supplements to balance my hormones and body. Keep in mind when recovering that every persons experience is different, and it is as much about finding your own way as getting advice from others.

It took me about 2 years to fully recover and i ended up being 138 when my period came back (lowest was 100). I didn't reintroduce my usual amount of exercise until then (2-5 days a week rock climbing) and I think that was a good idea. Good luck with your journey and don't give up!