Help! I'm so hungry

[Nancy in PA]

Hi all--

This is my 7th day of Induction and for the last three nights I have awakened in the middle of the night ABSOLUTELY STARVING. I can't take it anymore. I'm trying to follow the rules as closely as I can. I eat when I'm hungry. I don't understand why the appetite suppressant effects of this diet haven't kicked in yet. I've been in ketosis since the end of day 2. I checked my menu at fitday and the only thing I can think of is that my carbs aren't quite high enough. They were at 3% of total calories. Fat was at least 60% (and sometimes over 70% depending on the day). I have been restricting my protein intake a little bit, but it's still 30% of total calories.

I don't have that much weight to lose. I'm basically doing this diet for my health. I have become severely carb addicted over the last few years and I'm also hypoglycemic. I've been feeling physically terrible for so long that I finally decided I needed to do something about it. This diet seemed the best way to kill my carb addiction (it's really a chocolate addiction) and stabilize my blood sugar. Since starting, my mood has definitely improved and I can tell that I will eventually feel really good eating this way (once the trauma of Induction is over and there are a few more carbs in my diet). I've been grinding my teeth a lot, which is unusual for me, but I put it down to the physical stress my body is under trying to adjust.

Any advice?

TIA,
Nancy

[Lori41]

I was like that until I realized I wasn't getting enough calories - are you getting enough? You should have your BMR plus some for exercise. My BMR is 1400 something and I exercise a lot so I added 200. I try to stick around 1400-1500 and then I started losing weight and felt better too!

Also, like you said I found I HAVE to have between 14 and 18 carbs or I'm starving, no matter how much fat/protein/water I eat. I also have a naked egg (fried or hardboiled) right before bedtime. I am hypoglycemic as well and I felt the yucky shakes coming back when I get too low on carbs.

I grind my teeth when under stress, too! Tee hee. Keep going because the first 1 1/2 weeks of starting this diet I hated everyone; I felt so bad, I was in major withdrawal and my body hated me and I hated it! Some people say, "Oh, you will feel so much better after 3 days!", but I really think it takes at least 2 weeks. I am much better, more stable, no hypo unless I don't get my carbs.

Keep us posted!
Lori

[Peterlock]

Re: Help! I'm so hungry

Hi Nancy,

You've pretty much answered the questions as to your fierce hunger right in your post - you're a severe carb addict and hypoglycemic, well, no wonder your having these attacks at night!

Remember, cravings can easily be mistaken for hunger and the feeling can be deeply, deeply intesnse.The good news is these feelings will pass as soon as your body adjusts. Being hypoglycemic, it's especially critical that you don't cheat - the sudden changes in your blood sugar will send your cravings through the roof.

A few ideas that may help you:

• *Use plenty of fat when cooking, especially olive oil, coconut oil and butter- fats will satisfy your hunger longer and ease your cravings
  * Make fat dense snacks and have them ready for those midnight demons, try cheese rollups with mayo or blue cheese dressing
  * Take Flax Oil - it really helps with cravings plus it's great for you as it gives you all your Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Look for any brand that says "Ultra Lignan" Flax Oil because these have the very highest concentrates. You can take between 2-6 1,000 mg capsules three times a day before each meal.
  
  Considering your intense cravings work your way to the highest does ASAP...they're 100% safe and can't hurt you - in fact they'll help your body burn more fat and curb those ferocious cravings.
  
  * Read about cravings in your copy of DANDR - pages 237-239, 246-255
  
  * Read what DR. Atkins has to say about Hypoglycemia - page 41

Nancy, I hope these suggestions help you in some small way - never forget that what your feeling is temporary and although it feels miserable it's going to pass.

Peter ha

[not2late]

Hi Nancy, in addition to the advice you've been given, you might want to have a bedtime snack, like a devilled egg or some cheese and part of your veggie allowance. You're waking up hungry because your blood sugar is dipping too low at night. So your bod is saying "Wake up Nancy! Eat something quick!!!!!!". So try a bedtime snack.

Then after you've completed the 14 Day Induction, move onto OWL. During OWL, you'll be able to increase your carbs by 5 net carbs until you find your Critical Carbohydrate Losing Level and add on a greater variety of foods while you still lose weight.