Why am I so hungry?

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Replies

  • AmatullahMuwahidah
    AmatullahMuwahidah Posts: 22 Member
    Possibly hormonal, perhaps your Estrogen has spiked. Up your intake of cruciferous Vegas eg broccoli and cauliflower and kale
  • AmatullahMuwahidah
    AmatullahMuwahidah Posts: 22 Member
    Hormonal fluctuations cause a whole array of issues! Estrogen spikes can cause bloating, fluid retention, headaches, insomnia, food cravings, mental/cognitive fog, lethargy. During a woman’s cycle her hormones fluctuate, Estrogen will rise and drop, progesterone will rise and drop. These hormonal fluctuations have effects on our body. Try to track your menstrual cycle, to find out when you’re ovulating, when you’re due menses etc. Over a few months you’ll see how your hormones effect your cravings, headaches, weight on the scale etc. Then eat the foods, herbs, supplements, that will help your hormones during those particular situations
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    Echoing the concern that 1.5l is way too little water. Dehydration could explain the headache. If you end up increasing fiber (which is a good idea) you will definitely need to increase water intake as well.

    As for intense hunger, let’s go back to your sleep situation. Google “sleep ghrelin leptin.” One hormone stimulates hunger, the other tamps it down. Sleep deprivation elevates the one that stimulates hunger AND lowers the one that signals fullness. Double whammy. Willpower is no match for these two powerful hormones. While the advice to aim for slower loss makes sense (1600 sounds super low to me), it won’t overcome the sleep problem. What would help your sleep?
  • VeggieMeg71
    VeggieMeg71 Posts: 205 Member
    @lynn_glenmont I was thinking the same thing. 34-51 oz of water is on the low end, if you ask me. Too little water could cause a headache and could cause thirst masquerading as hunger. Lack of sleep definitely can cause hunger also.
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    Hey guys, thank you for all the responses. Just reading through them now.

    The hunger seems okayish now. I think the main issue is breakfast. I am typically having Greek yogurt with bananas and granola, but I am coming to realise that I benefit more from big, hot meals.

    So I'm gonna start trying to make hot breakfasts instead.

    I am still having the headache issue but honestly, I don't think I can stand to drink anymore with the amount I am weeing.

    The constant weeing is driving me mad and sometimes disrupting my sleep :( I am getting a diabetes test - perhaps I am pre-diabetic? My old diet would certainly encourage that and my mother was diagnosed in her 40s.

    Another frustrating thing is that although I have got my deficit for this week, I have actually gained 0.4lbs! What is going on?!
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    kali31337 wrote: »
    InnerFatGirl wrote: »
    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    MikePTY wrote: »
    deannalfisher wrote: »
    too much water and not enough electrolytes/salt can cause headaches

    1-1.5 liters isn't that much water though (it's 4-6 cups), especially at 300 pounds. People's water consumption needs vary, but that is definitely on the low side. Thirst can sometimes be confused with hunger, so if anything, the low level of intake may be a factor.

    Exactly. And dehydration can cause headaches.

    I might be dehydrated as I often have a dry mouth. But even with drinking only 1.5l a day I am weeing constantly and it's so irritating. I am concerned I have T2D though, so I am getting a blood test to check.

    Oh man I hope that's not the case but most of us pee A LOT. It's really annoying to have to get up and go so often but it's just a pesky side effect of drinking enough water. I hope you get the test results that you are looking for!

    That's encouraging to know, that it might not be a symptom of diabetes. But how do people cope with this? It's really frustrating :(
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    Echoing the concern that 1.5l is way too little water. Dehydration could explain the headache. If you end up increasing fiber (which is a good idea) you will definitely need to increase water intake as well.

    As for intense hunger, let’s go back to your sleep situation. Google “sleep ghrelin leptin.” One hormone stimulates hunger, the other tamps it down. Sleep deprivation elevates the one that stimulates hunger AND lowers the one that signals fullness. Double whammy. Willpower is no match for these two powerful hormones. While the advice to aim for slower loss makes sense (1600 sounds super low to me), it won’t overcome the sleep problem. What would help your sleep?

    Honestly I've always had issues with sleep. I'm autistic/ADHD and we tend to have issues with sleep. I'm also addicted to scrolling on my phone before bed, which is really not helping!
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    Made this for breakfast today and I'm happy to report I feel much more satisfied and full having had a hot breakfast!
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Yeah salt isn't poison, you need some and it must be iodized. Also true about if you suddenly cut out caffeine. Fill up on fibrous vegetables also. Now I'm not gonna lie there is no way to do this never feeling hunger but if it's so bad you can't sleep something is wrong. If you correct these things and the problem continues, talk to your doctor. They can check for electrolyte imbalances and mineral/vitamin deficiencies.
  • scarlett_k
    scarlett_k Posts: 812 Member
    I would guess it's because 1600 calories for someone of your size is really low, even when eating to lose weight.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited February 2020
    At 300 Lbs, 1600 calories per day seems pretty stinkin' low to me. I know everyone wants to lose all of there weight like yesterday, but being overly aggressive usually doesn't end well in regards to sustainability.
  • vggb
    vggb Posts: 132 Member
    Try to drink more water, up to mid-60's ounces a day. When I started drinking more water I had to pee all the time and yes it's frustrating. It finally eased up, maybe my body got used to the amount or flushed itself? I then started to slow up the water at night so I wouldn't have to get up in the middle of the night, which I hate.

    So I start drinking water when I get up and throughout the day. Most days I get my target amount, 67oz, some days I'm under. But try to drink more water, it really is a benefit.
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    vggb wrote: »
    Try to drink more water, up to mid-60's ounces a day. When I started drinking more water I had to pee all the time and yes it's frustrating. It finally eased up, maybe my body got used to the amount or flushed itself? I then started to slow up the water at night so I wouldn't have to get up in the middle of the night, which I hate.

    So I start drinking water when I get up and throughout the day. Most days I get my target amount, 67oz, some days I'm under. But try to drink more water, it really is a benefit.

    I will try! Thank you!
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    At 300 Lbs, 1600 calories per day seems pretty stinkin' low to me. I know everyone wants to lose all of there weight like yesterday, but being overly aggressive usually doesn't end well in regards to sustainability.

    Yeah, I might raise it at some point. I'll see how I get on. I'm feeling a little better now as I'm making a hot breakfast now, but if the problems persist then I'll try eating 1,800 calories a day or maybe even 2000.
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,142 Member
    Nice big breakfast to start the day!

    Are you drinking a lot of water? Are you on any medications? I am and it causes dry mouth so I always feel thirsty, I probably drink too much water. I usually get up once a night. I'm also diabetic but it's in remission.

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