I can’t believe its been a month and a half since I started down the road to a healthier way of eating. I haven’t felt this good in years. I’ve gradually entered OWL and have been sticking to five gram, veggie dominant increases. I seemed to be stalled, so I backed off five (I was up to 40 grams, before the stall).

The problem is I am starting to get hungry more often. I typically eat three meals a day with an afternoon snack and will eat until I am full. I am eating a pretty consistent, induction oriented menu, but have increasing my intake of things like spinach, artichokes, asparagus and some berries (1/2 cup at the most). That was carrying me until my next meal, but now I am hungry 90 minutes after I eat. They are not cravings for a particular food, just a nagging hunger. I usually fill the void with a slice of turkey, ham or beef, wrapped around a small piece of cheese and a strip of jalapeno pepper. This will usually satiate my appetite for about another 90 minutes.

Is it normal to feel this way? I don’t want to gorge myself at meal time to avoid the hunger attacks. As long as I stick to a carb-conscious snack is it ok to eat whenever I’m hungry?

It is wonderful to have a place to ask these kinds of questions.

Thanks,

Jack

Started Atkins 3/5/04
210/193/175

After you have been in ketosis for a few months, the appetite suppression does decrease a bit.

I would say that you are handeling it well by eating some meat and cheese.

Have you checked your ketostix? It could also be that you are getting close to your critical carbohydrate level.

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Thanks Paladin, I have the outward appearance of ketosis (dragon breath), but I think I’ve only registered on the sticks three times since I began this WOE and I might have misread them then. I do check from time to time, but since I have been continually losing weight and thanks to some of the posts, I haven’t given it much thought. I have never drank as much water in my life and I am exercising more now than I ever have (which was basically never). I walk 30 – 45 minutes every day. I was hoping that increasing the water might help with the hunger, but it didn’t make a difference and I’m afraid if I drink much more (I am up to 90-130 oz a day) I’ll start growing scales .

UH--negative on the scales--but you may never want to leave the house for more than a few minutes due to frequent RR breaks!!! I usually register on the sticks but had stopped a week ago when I got to 45. I think I have found my CCLL--level for losing. I too still have the ketosis breath, but I have stopped losing as well. I may still be, but VERY slowly now! I am back down at 30 foa a couple of weeks then back up to 35 and try 40 and 45 again--though the last two days I haven't been real compliant with keeping at 30. Anyway, it is OK to snack as long as they are not off plan snacks. I also find that at 40 and 45 I was hungrier more often--Often I could drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes--didn't always work but often enough to keep doing it. If after 10 minutes--I even used a timer to keep track of 10 minutes--I was still hungry then I had a snack of a few nuts or like you meat and cheese, or even a scoop of veggie dip with ranch and some veggies--cukes, cauliflower, broccoli, you name it. . .always worked for me!

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Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

I had the same experience. At first, I was not hungry on this woe, but after about 2 months, I got very hungry in between meals. Someone on the forum said that it was natural and means are bodies are burning fat and need fuel or something like that....I don't know the science of it. I do know that I kept losing weight and now am not hungry between meals ....most of the time...smiles...

Good luck!

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Peace, Joanna
Atkins since 12/3/03
299/245/130

If you're hungry, eat something, just make sure it's something okay. I've noticed I lose at the same rate even after "hungry" days.

Another possibility is that you're eating meals that are too big, and your blood glucose levels are going up and then down too sharply after the meal, which would make you hungry. If you think this is the case, maybe smaller, more frequent meals would be in order. Also make sure you're getting enough fat, as that will moderate the blood sugar response and help you feel full as well.

Excellent points Terra!

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It is always necessary to leave some part
of cooking to improvisation. - Paul Bocuse
Member since 2001

Jack:

It may help to read this thread.

My best advice to you is that if you're hungry -- not to be confused with appetite -- then EAT. Eat protein and/or veggies.

I always fared better when I ate several small meals per day. Sometimes I ate as many as 6 "mini meals" each day. I always eat when I am hungry. Always. I just make sure than when I do eat, it is something low carb, nothing pre-packaged or processed, and no low carb products.

Hope this information helps.

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April

The face of a child can say a lot -- especially the mouth part of the face.

My Blog

Thank you all so much. It is so nice to know I’m not the only one who has experienced this. I don’t think I’m eating too much. In fact, for the first time in my life (there seems to be a lot of firsts since I chose this WOE) I am pushing the food away. I eat until I think I’m full and then stop, wait and if I’m still hungry I’ll have a little more. I may not be eating enough fat. I haven’t paid much attention to my fat intake; I didn’t think it was necessary.

I do think I will start eating several smaller meals a day. It seems to work for many of you so I will give it a try.

Thanks again for all your suggestions.