NO appetite.....update from the new person

[gabriele]

Hello everyone, i have just completed 3 weeks of mostly raw eating, and have lost 20 pounds (15 first week, 3 next week, 2 last week). Something that i've noticed that is really weird, for me, is that i have NO appetite, at all. I almost have to force myself to eat. My theory is that before, i was eating chocolate and donuts and candy all day long, and i could never get enough. I ate until i felt sick. All that sugar wasn't giving me any nutrients, i think, and i just craved more and more.

Now, i can barely eat breakfast (not hungry), i eat a giant salad for lunch, some fruit, and then some more fruit and other things for dinner, but i am not hungry. I think i've lost weight so quickly that my body is holding onto every single drop of liquid and calorie and not letting go!! (and i'm drinking plenty of water). So that is my observation. Does this new way of eating sharply reduce the appetite? I don't even crave chocolate at all.

[Dimond]

So wish I had that problem. I'm ALWAYS hungry. Your theory is a good one though.

[Bookish Lass]

My appetite drops after the first week or so on raw. I wind up not wanting dinner much at all, maybe just a piece of fruit.

[adiebabe]

I know everyone's different, however in my case my friend Amanda and I both noticed a big difference in our appetites when we changed from the S.A. Diet. We both ate pretty healthy to start with but noticed the appetite changes about the same time.

Personally, from what I understand of the body, I believe it's because initially, your body is getting so many nutrients it wasn't before (nutrients it can use more efficiently), so you find yourself sated much easier...then after awhile, your metabolism kicks back into gear and you start getting hungrier (like the Dimond mentioned) more often. I also find now that I often crave fresh foods (as I am not 100% raw) and am put off more and more by heavy, cooked foods.

[rawmiss]

I think you are doing great! Not eating breakfast, or only eating a light breakfast of fruit, is typical of rawfooders who have been raw for awhile (I read that in a Shazzie book) and not eating heavy meals late in the day is something that Tanya Zavasta does to help her body heal by making sure that her digestive system is inactive while she sleeps. I wouldn't worry about it.

[gabriele]

all these comments are so useful, as always....

from what i've been reading on the internet, maybe i'm having detox symptoms. It says that for some people these may start several weeks into the new eating lifestyle. Remember, i have 50 years of chocolate to detox!! I'm feeling weak, dizzy, nauseous, it comes and goes, have had several headaches lately, just don't feel like myself. Apparently the lack of appetite is part of detox also.

I'm so tickled that what i am doing is what raw foodists with experience do!! I'll just hang in here.....

[pixelkatt]

This is normal in my opinion.. :) At times I'm not hungry and don't eat, but then other times (like today, lol) I can't seem to get enough.. I just figure that if I listen to my body it will tell me what it wants.. So don't worry.. go with the flow.. it will eventually pass and you will be hungry again.. and then not again, lol.. :D

[RawSar]

For me especially since I've gone raw I have days where I hardly eat and days where I eat all day... I just go with how I feel...

[jazzgoddess]

I am glad you noticed this as well. I too, find I am not as hungry...weird but good. Perhaps I am paying more attention to natural hunger signals, or food is more satisfying?
All I know is that any other "diet" plan I went on before..I was ALWAYS starving and couldn't wait for the next opportunity to eat.

[pixelkatt]

I agree!! :) I think that's why I'm finally NOT on a diet (even though I started this saying it's a lifestyle not a diet, it really has sunken in now and I finally do believe it with my whole heart and soul).. and I will NEVER EVER be on a diet again!! The thought of going back to counting points, or depriving myself just makes me laugh.. :D It's like struggling to keep your head above water when there is a boat right next to you.. All you have to do is get on..


I am glad you noticed this as well. I too, find I am not as hungry...weird but good. Perhaps I am paying more attention to natural hunger signals, or food is more satisfying?
All I know is that any other "diet" plan I went on before..I was ALWAYS starving and couldn't wait for the next opportunity to eat.

[freshlight]

congratulations on your lovely transition! :)
You do need much less when on raw, that's true. If you don't feel hungry just fast, perhaps your body needs a break?
Take care, Eva

[gabriele]

the trouble is, i'm not hungry but sometimes feel shaky, which normally means i'm not eating enough. Man, i don't even feel like eating breakfast most mornings. I just don't like feeling shaky.

[pixelkatt]

I always and I mean always (meaning even when I don't feel like eating) make myself drink a green smoothie in the morning. It gets me going and helps things move along. Are you drinking green smoothies in the morning? If not I would try that and see if it helps. :) In mine I put 2 bananas, some sort of fruit, like a pear or some berries, and 2 handfulls of baby spinach with water and blend.. :D

If you are drinking green smoothies, are you juicing? Most of the time when I'm not hungry, I try to juice throughout the day so I'm getting nutrients..


the trouble is, i'm not hungry but sometimes feel shaky, which normally means i'm not eating enough. Man, i don't even feel like eating breakfast most mornings. I just don't like feeling shaky.

[gabriele]

Pixelkatt, i have little time in the morning for a smoothie. I do love my spinach smoothies but just don't have enough time in the morning. I tend to do more smoothies on the weekends, during the week i eat huge salads at lunch. Maybe as i get into this more, i will streamline the smoothie process so i can do it in the morning. My dream still is to have that Vitamix!! I'm sure that'll speed up the process!!

[pixelkatt]

Pixelkatt, i have little time in the morning for a smoothie. I do love my spinach smoothies but just don't have enough time in the morning. I tend to do more smoothies on the weekends, during the week i eat huge salads at lunch. Maybe as i get into this more, i will streamline the smoothie process so i can do it in the morning. My dream still is to have that Vitamix!! I'm sure that'll speed up the process!!

A smoothie takes me about 1 minute to make and 30 seconds to rinse out blender (if that). AND you can take smoothie on your way where ever you are going.. It's just a matter of changing your routine a bit.. imo. :) & I don't have a Vitamix..

[freshlight]

I could never make myself to eat anything in the morning. It's the most beautiful&peaceful time of the day.
Just shows how different all of us are :)

[pixelkatt]

True.. :) Cause if I don't eat I'm a mess, lol! Funny.. just goes to show though that there are many ways to be on a raw diet.. it's kind of cool.. :D

[gabriele]

i'm gonna try this tomorrow morning.....

[sjpersonal]

Gaby, If you do not mind posting it, what is your current weight?

[gabriele]

no, don't mind posting at all, i started at 250, now i am slightly below 230.