Getting hungrier every day

[barose]

I've been raw since April 17 (just a few weeks!). My first week, I was eating more food: salads, dehydrated breads, sweets, fruit, crackers, snacks, smoothies, nuts, etc.

The second week, my appetite decreased and I was satisfied on a couple of green smoothies, a fruit smoothie with almond milk, handful of nuts, 1 avocado, fruit, and just a few snacks and a salad a day.

Now starting yesterday, its back up again. I had smoothies, multiple pieces of fruit, avocado, pecans, 1 Thai coconut, two large salads (one sprouts).

Today, I had a green smoothie (celery, romaine blueberries), some dehydrated eggplant, a few pecans, 1/2 cantaloupe and its 12:22PM and I felt like I had NOTHING. My stomach feels completely empty.

Is this normal? I feel like I should eat, but my mind is telling me no. I have this fear of overeating and gaining weight (though I've been losing). Is this hunger telling me I'm missing something from my diet?

[Rawkinlocs]

There are a couple of thoughts I've seen on this:

1. Your body is still adjusting/adapting to the lighter feel of raw foods, so if you feel hungry, just eat! Allow your body to make the necessary adjustments - there will be times you feel as though you could eat a ton and other times when you feel like having little-to-nothing. The longer you're raw, your body will guide you as to what to do! :)

2. The "hunger" pangs we feel in our stomach isn't "true" hunger - in your case it may be a cleansing reaction.

I'm not sure who's right or wrong, but those are things I've heard/read since beginning this journey into raw foods!

But I'd opt to say, if YOU feel that you are hungry, then eat - have some more raw food until you feel satiated. Sometimes I get that feeling and after having a good BM, the sensation goes away! This usually occurs in the morning hours when I consciously choose to not eat right away upon awakening.

[barose]

Good answers!

Both 1 and 2 makes sense. I also started running again Tuesday and weight training Wednesday since I dont have the detox headaches I had starting the second week. I was never this hungry in the past though.

[jaurequi]

It's normal. In fact, if you were to calculate (and I don't suggest you do; it leads to calorie counting and obsessing) you would probably find, over the course of a month, you are consuming the same amount of calories. Eating, for example a certain amount one day, then less the next, more the next, etc., but, overall, you end up consuming the same amount. It all balances, in other words.

If you feel uncomfortable, meaning you are bingeing, experience anxiety with your food and when you eat, etc., then I would say that is "toxic hunger," which, of course would mean you are not consuming enough nutritious foods. Then it's time to up the greens.

Best,

[barose]

If you feel uncomfortable, meaning you are bingeing, experience anxiety with your food and when you eat, etc., then I would say that is "toxic hunger," which, of course would mean you are not consuming enough nutritious foods. Then it's time to up the greens.

Best,

I always eat moderate amounts (eg. no more than 5-10 walnuts) etc and I make sure I drink water if I start to feel hungry (in case its dehydration).

[barose]

One hour ago, I had my sprout salad:

Fenugreek sprouts
sun dried tomato that I blended with EVOO and basil
red onions
1/2 haas avocado (large)
a *few* pecans

Now I am hungry again. I dont want to eat because I just did. I think the hunger is a detox symptom. Should I try to wait it out?

[RawVee]

Maybe increase your greens--try some green smoothies. Sometimes continued hunger is our body's way of asking for more nutrition, too. Your fenugreek salad sounds great, but it may not be enough, especially if you're running. :)

[barose]

I had a green smoothie this morning (16 oz) and will have one for dinner tonight made with kale and probably another salad of baby mustard greens. That should do it!

[RawVee]

Don't forget to add some fats, too! Avocadoes, nuts, oils...

[barose]

So far today I had 1/2 large avocado and some pecans. I also had a little EV olive oil with the sun dried tomatoes. I’m going to have the second half tonight.

I did cut back from having two avocadoes and more nuts and nut butter in my fruit smoothies a day. I guess its the fear of fat thing. :(

[Lunar*Fey]

Oh barose, I understand. But finally I have said WHATEVER...I get between 3500 and 4000+ raw calories a day and I'm pretty tiny. I am trying to gain weight though. Sometimes I eat like 12 spoonfuls of coconut butter and I don't get fat. I eat simply most of the time...but if I don't gain weight then I'll get sent away (I'm 16). So yeah. But what I am trying to say is that I eat lots and sometimes lottts of fat too and I don't get big at all. Never fear...eat whatever raw foods you want and as much as you want..this way your body can get a feel for everything and tell you what is best for you :)

[barose]

Hey Lunar*Fey, you are 16 so that might have something to do with it. ;)

I'm 28 been dealing with weight issues since I was 19/20. I've never been obese, but I spent most of that time as a size 14. I'm down to a 8/10 (before going raw) and for me, its a real struggle.

[Sunshine9]

You know I have never reached a point where I feel light and satisfied on just a smoothie. That was after a year and a few months raw. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I just assume my body has other issues it is working on and eventually my hunger will subside. So I eat a lot! The one thing I have found for ME.... the more nutrient dense food I eat the less hungry I am -- that means superfoods, goji berries, cacao, green powders (like Alissa's).. Perhaps incorporating small amounts of those and see how you feel. I would add green juices to that list. Also the more sweet I eat, the hungrier I am. I do have a history of digestive imbalance though, so sweets effect me differently than most people on this board.

Just keep at it. I think every raw foodist has dealt with the never ending hunger feeling. Don't worry about your weight. It WILL stabilize.

[barose]

Thanks---I sometimes have a hard time reading about people who only eat a smoothie and some fruit a day and cut, cut, cut everything else and they feel fine. I do feel satisfied when I have a smoothie with raw cocoa there is something to what you're saying. I just thought it was bad to have it daily.

I do take spirulna too, but I'm still pretty hungry - even after a good amount.

[Sunshine9]

so what does this hunger feel like? Do you feel hungry when you wake up first thing in the morning, or do you feel most hungry after you eat something?

also how much water do you drink?

can you perhaps type out what you ate yesterday?

I soo feel for you, and I have a gut feeling there are definitely things you might do that will help you feel more satisfied :)

[barose]

This is what I had yesterday:

Breakfast
Green Smoothie: Celery, romaine, blueberries

Mid morning snack
1/2 cantaloupe

Lunch
Fenugreek spout salad; sun dried tomato EVOO, red onion and basil blended, pecans, 1/2 avocado
Chai tea latte (almond milk)

Mid afternoon snack
Mango

Dinner
Green smoothie: Kale (didnt want anything else)

Fruit smoothie: Strawberries, almond milk, almond butter, raw cocoa, vanilla bean.

I feel hungry after being up for about 15 or 20 mintues- when I'm getting ready for work. The hunger feels like a painful, empty sensation in my stomach followed by a low blood sugar crash (light headed, headache, etc).

I drink about 80 oz of water a day (not including tea or smoothies). More when I workout.

[shalom]

That is what my hunger pains feel like - and i get them often -

I am curious to the response of this one.....

although - i am not getting enough water! (hiding)

[Sunshine9]

Thanks for typing that out. Since you're still starting raw, I don't think anything seems abnormal. I know that my personal experience was that I was very hungry and had blood sugar symptoms as my body was cleansing. A few suggestions that might help you feel satiated....

add protein powder or spirulina to your smoothies
Keep blending your food!! It helps with absorbtion
eat seaweed every day
snack on raw veggies - they have almost no calories, they're delicious, and you can just keep eating them to not have to feel "hungry"
eat an avocado. it'll be more filling than almond milk

if it still hasn't gone away after say.. a month or so.. then perhaps re-evaluate something. I think your diet looks like an awesome raw diet and that this is just a phase :)

[Naiad]

I can go days with just a salad and water to make me feel full and other times, especially the days leading up to that TOTM (which is now!) I eat *everything* in sight.

We're talking 2 avocados, 2 salads, multiple bananas and smoothies. Nothing makes me feel full!

Unless it lasts a whole month, I wouldn't really worry. Most people, especially women, fluctuate in their hunger patterns. Sarma in RFRW says something like, "Some days I am content to have some fruit and water, where other days I can eat bowls after bowls of salad without being full."

Relax and remember: four huge bowls of salad is better than a SAD diet any days B)

[Beautifully Human]

I have only been on the diet for 7 days as of today and I am experiencing similar symtoms. From what I read, it's normal to feel like you want to eat a ton one day and a little the next. It happens because your body is in the process of detoxing. I wouldn't worry about it for the first few months. I have been eating a lot when I feel like I am hungry (which sometimes is every 1/2 hour) and i'm stilling losing wieght!! Don't worry, I'm sure it will all work out. Just stick with it. Oh and another important thing i read is to make sure you are having a steady, equal amount of fats, veggies, and fruits.
Oh and this is my very first post so if i mess it up i'm sorry:o !

[barose]

Thanks everyone. I feel much better about how I'm eating. Listening to your body is so much easier than following rules. :D

[Sleek98]

How do you feel about adding sprouted grains? I know that helps me feel like I've had something more substantial.
Hopefully you just need to keep leveling out. I'm impressed by how well you are doing!

[barose]

My DP is going to teach me to sprout. I have a hard time digesting grains (when they were cooked) so I haven't ventured in that area yet. Plus I am gluten intolerant.

[Shirleyh]

Hello! I am adding maca powder to my smoothie. It has helped curb my appetite.

[Kitty]

I heard that coconut oil helps with hunger and it has worked for me. I make a huge and I mean huge serving size bowl of salad and have it out and eat from it all day long. Salads are great for cravings too.

[rawbeliever]

Hey Carla! I recently discovered raw buckwheat. It makes a great (and filling & super-nutritious) cereal if you soak it for a few hours (four?) and then blend it with a little water, some raisins, some cinnamon, and some agave. all the pleasure of wheat, without the problems. :) Plus, it really staves off the raw hunger thing.

hope you're well,
Robbie