Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Starving for Food



Recommended Posts

Please help. For some odd reason I've had this overwhelming hunger for the past several days. I've being taking my PPI and trying to watch my calories but I feel like I'm in the battle of my life. I was losing weight without any problems and now I'm afraid I won't because I've been craving all kinds of food. I even hate going into my kitchen because I will eat something crazy. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do? I didn't think I should be feeling this hungry and it even keeps me up at night. I try to drink something to get the feeling out but nothing helps. I've been so depressed over this because i haven't lost a pound since. I've lost a total of 42 lbs which i'm proud of, but I didn't come this far to start screwing up, please please please help me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Stick to mostly Protein, limit carbs to 30 grams a day. If you are eating sugar or white carbs that can make you crave more...

You'll get through this. Just keep on following the rules and it will pass.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Cajun is right, eat Protein. . . there is <1 - 2 grams of carbs in most Proteins. . eat as much as you want, just watch the protein. . .and drink Water . . . not with your meals of course, that just washes the food away and your starving again within a few hours. . . eat lots of proteins. . .tuna, salmon, turkey Jerky, eggs, cheese, etc. . good luck and don't give up. . .this wasn't a easy fix for us, you still have to work at it and work hard at it. . we still have to do the work. . .good luck again. . and keep up the great work! 42 lbs is fanastic!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know exactly how you feel. Lately I feel like a bottomless pit. My main reason for getting this surgery was to eliminate hunger but my hunger seems as strong as ever and it is such a nuisance! I may be over on carbs, but I didn't get the surgery so I would have to follow the Atkins diet either! I eat a pretty balanced diet but I'm tired of being hungry an hour after I eat. I'm trying to be patient until after 3 months since the hunger seemed to change for some people at that time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Something that helped me was keeping a journal.... and I still do.

In the beginning I had alot of "head hunger"... but kept to the "program" ate what was 'good' for me. As everyone else said Protein.

Keeping a journal helps you "see " what you are eating...

I get up... go to the bathroom...... weigh. take my shower, then take an hour for me to focus on what I'm doing.... and I start it with my weight for that morning. Sometimes I write alot... and some mornings not so much.

I try to keep track during the day what I have eaten, and log it, and calulate the carbs... etc.

I measure every Monday..... that helps visualize even tho I may be in a stall........ I still lose inches.

G'luck!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks so much guys for the positive feedback. You are absolutely right and I lost a pound after sticking to my plan for the full day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

With me it's so hormonal it's hilarious. The week before my period starts I crave carbs like nothing on earth. I've tried different things - keeping to my diet through the craving, or eating healthy for three weeks, then allowing myself the tranquilising effect of carbs that one week - and it hasn't really made any difference: once the next phase is on I've had no trouble going back to eating the healthy way again. Don't know if it's the same for you but sometimes it just isn't all in our heads, it may be physical too.

Edited by Jolanda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

you can't eat "crazy things" that are high carb if you don't have them in the kitchen!

If you're telling yourself they are for the kids, the husband, whatever....they don't need junk carbs filling their lives either.

(Easy for me to say right? I live alone.)

I think the last thing to say is that it's not a race...this is a long term solution to a long term problem. The weight didn't go on in a few months, and it's not going to come off in a few months. However, you will have a measure of appetite control the rest of your life if you learn to listen to your body and not your head during this phase.

Best of luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tracy-

I think you hit the nail on the head.....We have to listen to our bodies.

I know it happened to me when my blood pressure went up. I could DEFINITLY tell a differnce in my body.

When I take that last bite of food, and know it's not going down........ have to spit it out. When I feel "full" even tho I like the taste. I know I can't eat any more. Before surgery I would continue to eat. but I have become better aware of my body and the messages it's sending to me.

And thats one of the BEST things this surgery has done for me..... come in tune with my body!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tracy-

I think you hit the nail on the head.....We have to listen to our bodies.

I know it happened to me when my blood pressure went up. I could DEFINITLY tell a differnce in my body.

When I take that last bite of food, and know it's not going down........ have to spit it out. When I feel "full" even tho I like the taste. I know I can't eat any more. Before surgery I would continue to eat. but I have become better aware of my body and the messages it's sending to me.

And thats one of the BEST things this surgery has done for me..... come in tune with my body!

Oh my gosh Chancie, I did that the day before yesterday, I was eating some sausage (less then 4 oz) and i felt just fine, BUT i had to have just one more piece of it. . . well. . . slime city. . . you'd think i'd learned by then right but OH NO, yesterday I did the same damn thing, only this time I was eating WAY to fast and the stupid thing was I KNEW i was eating too fast. . . big time pain (I need an ambulance pain) sliming the whole thing. . . so i just pulled up my big girl panties went outside and fertilized my lawn. . . i think i "watered" it more with sliming then with the hose though! :) Maybe ONE day I'll get it huh???? :001_smile:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also, it's very dramatic to say you're "starving" for food....and I'm not meaning to be harsh...but seriously, put this in context! Starving is what children in the Sudan are doing. You're dealing with head hunger in a house full of food!

It's big girl panties time, find something to keep yourself busy so you don't think about food, drink some Water or hot tea, make a 4 oz Protein shake, eat a cheese stick, go for a walk.....above all else.. .quit obsessing!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't 'obsess about food...... but I do like to look for new recipes and "think" about what I want to eat.

I am actually quite bad.......... I live by myself.. but I have my frezzer FULL!! I go to the store and think of things I want, buy them. and don't cook!!:001_smile:

All healthy stuff...... I don't like red meat anymore.... but I love turkey cutlets cooked on the grill........... hmmmm...... think I might have to cook some tonight!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well Tracy thanks for your feedback but by no means do I feel I was being "too dramatic" by saying I was starving because I realy felt that way. There are others who seem to relate directly with that feeling regardless if it's head hunger or whatever. It can be hard when you try everything positive that usually works to soothe yourself and nothing helps. It's also hard when you either can't sleep or you're waking from sleep because you feel so hungry. I realize like one of the other young ladies that it was my hormones trying to adjust for my cycle and after it came I no longer felt the misery. It never happened before, but as your body tries to find a balance you may experience new things from time to time that you can't always explain right away and that's why we come to each other here for support.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×