Hunger, Out-of-Control Eating, Thoughts?

[Pailani]

This is what I posted in my journal today; I completed a 30 Day Challenge, did a couple weeks of maybe 95 percent raw, and am currently on day 10 of a self-imposed 90 Day Challenge. Has anyone else experienced this?

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I woke up this morning feeling . . . better, not ravenously hungry. I feel like I've been so hungry and like I can't get enough to eat, and can't stop eating, even when my stomach is telling me that it's full. It's a miracle that I haven't added pounds! It's been a concern.

But today I feel much more even, and I'm going to try more balance in eating. Smaller portions, eating slowly and eating only when my stomach needs food. Like I used to do before my 30 Day Challenge.

I wonder (just a thought?) if my body has been starving for nutrition all these years and now, when I'm finally giving it food it can use, if it's making up for lost time and it can't get enough of what it was lacking? For years and years, I've felt worse and more foggy and tired after eating than I did before I ate, as if what I was putting into my body, even when it was healthy lowfat vegan food, was draining my body instead of nourishing it.

[jennplas]

hi,

i felt that way too last week... it seemed i just wanted to eat and eat and eat , i was full and i ate, i just wanted more of everything. i didnt go on quite the unhealthy binge, but i did end up with some dead foods in my body. I was trying to figure out what was wrong with me and even as i tried to figure it out, i was still eating. then suddenly, on sunday when i started the challenge again i was fine. it lasted for a few days and then i was ok.

i even weighed myself, which i try not to do often, just to see the damage and i was 8 lbs lighter than when i last weighed myself. that was very confusing... i wonder if i was just lacking certain nutrients that week and my body was yelling for them, and since i *needed* them... maybe i would have been hungry until i got what i needed. (even when i wasnt hungry...) from what your post says, you can probably relate to what i just wrote..

i dont have any answers, but i thought i would share that i went through it too to show you you are not alone

jenn

[tracyinfo]

Pailani, I used to feel hungry all the time, too. I don't know what has changed, but, I am not nearly as hungry as I was when I started this raw lifestyle.

My big challenge now, is to chew much more slowly!!! I have to concentrate on that one.

Good Luck on your 90 day challenge! --Tracy

[catherinethegreat]

I have heard similar experiences from others who ate less then 100% raw. I think I read about it in "12 steps to raw" as well. I felt that way when I ate raw tuna. I ate enough but felt hungry afterwards. I never feel this way when I eat 100% raw vegan diet. Maybe that 5% that you are eating is sending a message to your body that you need more nutrients because now it's getting less of them? Even 5% could do that from what I've read.
If you leave the door open for cooked foods or non raw foods - then the mechanism in your body goes to the "on" position and thinks it NEEDS more of it. Like an alcoholic - one is too many - a thousand is never enough. For some reason when you let that door open by adding any amount of cooked food - the "on" button stays on.

*c

[Pailani]

Maybe that 5% that you are eating is sending a message to your body that you need more nutrients because now it's getting less of them? Even 5% could do that from what I've read.
If you leave the door open for cooked foods or non raw foods - then the mechanism in your body goes to the "on" position and thinks it NEEDS more of it.

Except that I've felt this way the entire time--during my 30 Day Challenge when I was 100 percent raw, during my couple weeks where I was eating a couple of cooked foods, and then during my current challenge. It's only today for the first time that I feel normal again.

[Allison]

Catherine wrote:
"If you leave the door open for cooked foods or non raw foods - then the mechanism in your body goes to the "on" position and thinks it NEEDS more of it. Like an alcoholic - one is too many - a thousand is never enough. For some reason when you let that door open by adding any amount of cooked food - the "on" button stays on."


Amazing insight...printing this out.

[DotfromOz]

Catherine wrote:
"If you leave the door open for cooked foods or non raw foods - then the mechanism in your body goes to the "on" position and thinks it NEEDS more of it. Like an alcoholic - one is too many - a thousand is never enough. For some reason when you let that door open by adding any amount of cooked food - the "on" button stays on."


Amazing insight...printing this out.

I've been getting a graphic demo of that very thing, I believe, in my gradual build-up to going 100%. Last night was an especially good example, as I had a sizable salad with Bragg's vinegar and olive oil dressing and about a 4-oz. steak with some Worcestershire sauce on it. I was ravenous not long after eating, wanted veggies and later some fruit before I felt satisfied. I'd even taken a digestive enzyme capsule right before dinner, so I concluded that my bod was saying (with the regal "we"), "We do not wish you to feed us nasty meat stuff anymore. We want veggies and fruit!"

I'm starting my Challenge shortly. I've had enough of feeling starved on SAD foods.

[Pailani]

Before I did the 30 Day Challenge, I was probably 70 percent raw. I was juicing a lot, eating fruit for breakfast and a huge salad for dinner with a small regular dinner. And I was fine. It was only after going to 100 percent raw that my body seemed to go bonkers, suddenly unable to stop eating. So it seems that everyone experiences this phenomena when they're not 100 percent raw . . . and I, oddball that I am, experience it only when I'm 100 percent raw.

[DotfromOz]

...but I'm wondering if your bod 100% raw is telling you, "YES! Feed me like this! I want more of only good, raw foods!"

No way to know for sure as I'm no expert, but I'm thinking that if we pay attention to our body's signals, we'll eat right for our needs.

[PixieGreen]

Pailani, how many calories of cooked food did you eat before going raw? Even a small regular dinner can pack a lot in if it includes starches and/ or meat. You may be one of the people who need to consciously plan to eat enough calories, at least at first. I'm just now getting a hold on how to get enough calories without relying too heavily on fats. Before I was eating every 1.5 hours, legitimately hungry. It was getting tiresome, making and cleaning up.

Are you still juicing a lot?

Christa

[Pailani]

<<I'm wondering if your bod 100% raw is telling you, "YES! Feed me like this! I want more of only good, raw foods!">>

Dot, that's what I'm wondering. Maybe my body is finally getting what it needs from raw foods and was craving more raw foods (and more, and more :eek: ) -- until now it's finally reached some kind of equilibrium and balance? I had a green smoothie for breakfast, and not even as big as normal, and it was fully five hours later before I ate again. Normally I'm eating again 2 hours later (or less). Or, if I don't eat that soon after, I'm getting shaky low-blood sugar. But not today!

Christa, I never did a calorie count. I always felt light, which was nice, but I was eating rice noodles for dinners a LOT, sometimes with peanut sauce. And potoato chips every night. I've stopped juicing since I started making green smoothies. It always felt wrong dumping the pulp in the garbage, and I hated cleaning the juicer every day.

I hadn't really tried limiting myself when I seemed to always want to be eating, so long as I was eating all raw foods. But I did wonder if constant eating was going to be a permanent new way of life for me.

<<I'm just now getting a hold on how to get enough calories without relying too heavily on fats.>>

How are you doing this? Lots of fruit?

[rawpriestess]

The first time I went 100% raw 4 years ago, I had this phenomenon where I just couldn't get enough food, I was eating about 10 times a day, sometimes just one strawberry with whip cream (raw) or maybe just a bite of something, but I kept eating, it really concerned me, but I was loosing weight, so I didn't worry.

I was raw only 3 weeks then, so I didn't have alot of knowledge to judge with, and I didn't have even one raw friend, so had no one to chat with.

Obviously, I didn't stay raw for long, this forum is so wonderful to see that we are not alone.

The next time I went raw, this January, it was totally different, I went raw, and stayed raw for 2 months, before I ever ate cooked food (one drink 2 handful of chips and a baked potatoe all in three days), now back on 100% raw, and happy.

But, it did help me with my false hunger and my real hunger.

I feel the fals hunger all over my body, but mostly in my mind, I am thinking about food, thinking about recipes, thinking about making food, thinking about buying food, I am thinking about thinking about food, I look through cook books, raw and otherwise, I read everyones journal on this forum, I read and re-read Alissa's book and the journals, recipes her statements, I am pretty obsessed with food of any kind, raw or not.

When I am really hungry, I simply go into the kitchen and grab a few grapes, or a handful of nuts and start making my dinner, there is no obsession, I just do it.

One of the ways that I know this, is that I have been extremely busy since I got back from the convention where I was a guest Professional artist, and had to do a lot of speaking engagements, so I was away from my home and office and business, that is where I ate the cooked food,

So, when I came back, we were so busy in our office (after being away for 4 days) that I have been too busy to think of food, now this is where human behavior is interesting, this is the time that you would think I would just grab some cooked food, not so, I was so busy, that I didn't have time to think, so my inner knowingness of being a raw fooder took over, and I just grabbed some grapes, and nuts, and olives, while I was preparing dinner and that was it.

If I had had more time, I could have indulged my obsessive self and really fondeled food with my mind.

Also, if I eat heavy one day, I may not eat anything, or else eat very light the next day, and if I eat light one day, I may eat heavier the next day, journalling has helped me figure this out.

I say, eat whatever your body tells you to eat to stay raw, and if you need to eat alot, then eat alot.

Alissa in her book, says to make alot of food and eat as much as you want in the first few weeks of being raw, don't allow yourself to go hungry at all.

I think this is the best way to go raw, make sure that you are eating alot of the raw wonderful foods, gourmet and simple that are available, you want to really understand that your body hasn't been able to get real nutrition probably in years.

Good luck to you, you can do it.

We are all right beside you on your path. (we're all in white) :o)

[VeganVixen]

I get that false hunger every now and then (raw grains are aBIG triger-I binge and KNOW that I will feel awful)every now and then I just cant STOP eating and its so annoying -even when my stomach has no extra room and Im lm still craving -then I eat too much and have a terrible night.

It usually escalates , like for a snack on day Ill have an orange then the next day 2 oranges,then the next day 3 ect......

so whenever I feel this way I have alot of water on hand and will fast

[veggie]

Could it be Candida?

[Pailani]

Could it be Candida?

That thought did enter my mind. I started having candida symptoms when I started eating lots and lots of fruit, which is when I switched to all raw. So, maybe if I'm feeling back to normal, the candida is going away? That would be good news indeed!!!

[catherinethegreat]

candida - yes that totally makes sense.

I have that too - I was told I have it over my entire body. After a few weeks of 100% raw the candida shrunk down and only existed in my upper intestines and stomach. I was AMAZED at this!

I stopped eating fruit for a while - until I had a private phone consultation with Alissa. She helped because she has candida too and cured it with raw foods.

You might consider scheduling a consulation with her - that might help shine a light on what we all might not be seeing here.

*c

[Punky]

Pailani,
Are you nursing still? For some reason I thought you were, so
forgive me if I am mistaken or confusing you with someone else?
If so that could make you really hungry. I agree with the yeast
affecting your appetitie as well.

[Pailani]

Punky, you have a good memory! Yes, I'm still nursing.

Catherine, maybe a phone consultation would be a good idea. I remember Alissa talking about her candida on the DVD, so she might be able to help me with mine.

[JustMe]

I thought the same thing about you nursing. Usually, it is recommended that you eat extra calories for YOUR benefit, because the babies are going to get what they need regardless and if you are not getting enough for yourself then you will feel hungry and deprive yourself of nutrients. Maybe some days you eat enough to satisfy your needs and maybe other days you're not. Also some babies want to breast feed more on some occasions. I remember that! It's like they won't come off! lol Has your baby been nursing more often during those times that you were feeling that endless hunger?

[PixieGreen]

Christa, I never did a calorie count. I always felt light, which was nice, but I was eating rice noodles for dinners a LOT, sometimes with peanut sauce. And potoato chips every night. I've stopped juicing since I started making green smoothies. It always felt wrong dumping the pulp in the garbage, and I hated cleaning the juicer every day.

I hadn't really tried limiting myself when I seemed to always want to be eating, so long as I was eating all raw foods. But I did wonder if constant eating was going to be a permanent new way of life for me.

<<I'm just now getting a hold on how to get enough calories without relying too heavily on fats.>>

How are you doing this? Lots of fruit?

Well, when I first started thinking about trying the raw lifestyle I pictured my "perfect self" raw, and the diet I was intuitively drawn to was heavy on the greens. I've always been happiest with a higher protein diet and have wacky blood sugar fluctuations. But when I got started raw I didn't have access to any of the equipment [juicer or sprouting equipment, especially]to eat enough, so I ate *a lot* of fruit, and munched on nuts and raisons to satisfy hunger.

But I had a constant rotten taste in my mouth [bad breath!] and so many nuts, while satisfying, are way too expensive for me. After six weeks raw I started to get really light headed, ADD was in full swing and my blood sugar started bouncing again [and the constant eating]. So I started sprouting alfalfa, clover and radish and have started experimenting with sprouted grains. In the last week I have experienced a 100% turn-around. My goal is to eat 60% greens, 15% grains, 10% fruit and 5% nuts and seeds. I'm growing 2 pounds of sprouts and soon will expand to one pound each of sunflower greens, buckwheat lettuce and wheatgrass per day. I'm still exploring the most efficient way to grow them.

Christa

[monkeyboy]

Hi Everyone,

I too went through the "I want to eat everything" raw phase.

I believe it was my body talking to me. Listen to your body.

This will pass.

Now, after 14 months raw I don't eat much.

It's all a part of this wonderful process.

Peace,

M.B.

[jene]

I've always been happiest with a higher protein diet and have wacky blood sugar fluctuations. But when I got started raw I didn't have access to any of the equipment [juicer or sprouting equipment, especially]to eat enough, so I ate *a lot* of fruit, and munched on nuts and raisons to satisfy hunger.

But I had a constant rotten taste in my mouth [bad breath!] and so many nuts, while satisfying, are way too expensive for me. After six weeks raw I started to get really light headed, ADD was in full swing and my blood sugar started bouncing again [and the constant eating].
Christa

Christa, you were definetly reading my mind. I am only on day 4 (rawbie) but the symptoms you were describing that you went through during your early phase is what I'm dealing with now. I, too, was happiest on a high protein diet - the athlete in me- and I'ts hard to stay away from the fish and chicken. But doing good so far... I still have not purchased any equipment but tend to snack occasionally throughout the day on fruits and finger veggies. I don't find it that hard to deal with the cravings during the day but by the end of the day, around 6p, I am ready for real food. Tough to fight off, but I usually try to eat more veggies during this time since they tend to stick more than fruit for me.

Like many of you, I want to be 100% raw. I guess pain is gain but success is only a short ways away :p

[PixieGreen]

Jene, if you're interested in exploring a higher protein raw diet I encourage you to read The Hippocrates Diet and Health Program by Ann Wigmore. The Hippocrates Diet has a lot more protein and less fat than the average raw diet, at least it seems like most rawies eat a fruit/ nut based diet. I'm not following the Hipprocrates Diet precisely, but some of her recipes are very helpful and the book includes the nutritional analysis of some of the basics.

I used to be an avid weight lifter and runner. I'm getting back into both, but when I ate mostly fruit I couldn't even walk briskly for more than 20 minutes. For my health there is a strong connection between getting enough amino acids and strength/ endurance.

Christa

PS Sprouts have about 18 grams of protein per pound. Plus an incredible amount of nutrients. Sprouts = good. :)