Another “Not hungry” question

(Artemis) #1

I’m starting my 3 rd week of Keto. No cheats. Last night my blood ketone measured 4.6. I started IF 3 days ago, 18/6. Yesterday I was sooo not hungry I had to force myself to eat 2 pork ribs and I could not eat the salad. Later I ate a good dinner, but forced myself to eat most of it, and my macros were in line. I want to be careful to get my protein. So my last meal last night was 6. This morning I had a wave of nausea. I had my ACV drink and felt better. I fixed lunch (hamburger, sautéed spinach, avacado w/ olive oil). I could barely finish the burger. Not at all interested. The meal is in the fridge awaiting another try at it for dinner.
I think I’m starting into fat adaption and my body is trying to figure it all out. I have much more energy and generally a clear focus.
So at this point I’m thinking to begin the mantra of
Keep carbs low
Meet protein needs
Use fat as a lever

Opinions welcome. Thank you.

Female 180 to start, 3 weeks later 174.
64
Macros:
Net Carbs <20
Protein 60
Calories 1335
Fat 112

(Sandy Green) #2

If your not hungry do not make yourself eat ,as long as you are taking your electrolytes and drinking plenty of water and you not hungry then your body is feasting on your own fat. Keep your carbs 20 or less a day, moderate protein, eat only until satiated. Never force yourself to eat, that is what makes eating ketogenic so amazing and sustainable because you never feel deprived. Keep calm and keto on.

#3

I am also on my 3rd week the not hungry feeling hits super strong.

In charting my ketones I have normal hunger to consume 1300 calories when ketone levels are between 0.9 and 1.8.

When 1.9 or greater I have a hard time forcing myself to eat! For those times Ive added some fatty drinks as drinking is easier than eating by far. Also I pay attention to my vitamins I am consuming during those hard to eat times.

I do not have a lot of information about this but 4.6 would put you into the Starvation Zone of Ketosis which I thought should be avoided.

Here is what I have read about it :

Blockquote What Is Starvation Ketosis? “If the body depletes glycogen stores enough, it will move on to burning fat to fuel the body and the brain,” Dr. Metzgar said. When someone isn’t eating for a long enough period of time, their glycogen stores get depleted, so the body has two choices: burn stored fat, or break down the protein in muscles for fuel. The body will turn to fat before muscle, Dr. Metzgar explained, and that is when someone enters starvation ketosis.

Blockquote Although intermittent fasting and the keto diet are often done in conjunction with each other, in order for starvation ketosis to kick in, Dr. Metzgar said someone would need to fast for a week to burn fat for fuel, which is obviously not recommended.

Blockquote “Starvation ketosis is not something to strive for and can actually result in loss of lean muscle mass, so I would not recommend long-term fasting to reach this starvation state if one’s goal is to achieve ketosis,” she said.

(Artemis) #4

Hmmmm… maybe I’ll shorten my fasting time until I feel comfortable, but still not force my foods.
Thanks.

(Jim) #5

Could you share the source of this info from Dr. Metzgar? It seems like this contradicts what Dr. Jason Fung is saying with his fasting information.

#6

Sure thing! Here is the link I read that was quoted from: https://nutritionalketosisforhealth.com/what-is-nutritional-ketosis/

If you have some links from Dr. Jason Fung on it I would also like to read those too. Thanks!

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #7

You are only week 3 into Keto, you need to give your body at least another 3 weeks to reach fat adaption, sometimes even longer.

(Omar) #8

Same situation

Can not eat

And weight loss continues.

I do not want to lose weight.

(Artemis) #9

Confused. I’ve been told that the when the cravings stop, the hunger stops nagging me and I have increased mental clarity and relaxation, steady and even energy throughout the day, those are indicators of fat adaptation beginning. The first 3 weeks I was hungry…a lot. Now I’m not fixated about food. I can go 18/6 easily.
Does that make sense?
I’ve read differing views about becoming fat adapted.
From various articles, it seems to me that I’m approaching fat adaptation.
What’s your view?

(Artemis) #10

I read the article. I think there’s confusion about “starvation ketosis”. Here’s a quote that clarifies it when addressing ketosis.
“It’s imperative to realize that there is a “danger zone” to ketosis known as ketoacidosis that people commonly confuse with nutritional ketosis. However, ketoacidosis usually only happens in those with Type 1 diabetes or late stage Type II diabetes in which the pancreas is unable to secrete sufficient quantities of insulin (insulin has a suppressant effect on ketone production) OR in those with severely compromised kidney function that cannot properly excrete excess ketones. Otherwise, nutritional ketosis is a completely natural, normal, and healthy state for most individuals.”

(Omar) #11

My energy never been so high
My appetite never been so low
I could go 3 days with nothing
I am losing weight
I posted several threads where to go from here?

(LeeAnn Brooks) #12

Fat adaptation is a process. It’s a slow ramp up, not an on/off switch. So you will begin to experience some of the benifits as you approach that point. Sounds like you are there or very close. The 6-8 weeks is an average, so some will get there sooner and some later.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #13

Have you tried increasing protein?

I’d also up carbs gradually. If you’re at 20net, I’d go to 30-40 net. See if weight equalizes. If still losing, go to 50-60 net. And keep increasing until your weigh equalizes.

(Omar) #14

Thanks @Anniegirl9

I did not make any changes to the keto diet with almost no carbs.

I will just keep eating the 600-1000 calories I can eat and see what happens.

I am losing in the belly area. I said to my self there is little weight to lose, so let it go and, my appetite may change after getting red of the belly fat.

Thanks

(Artemis) #15

I keep hearing about the importance of meeting my protein macro. I’m generally fasting 19/5. If I’m not hungry and I don’t eat enough protein :woman_shrugging:…confused.
Thanks

(Sandy Green) #16

I don’t concern myself about not getting enough protein , I concern myself more about not over consuming too much protein which will cause Gluconeogenesis
Protein is so easy to meet (just a couple of handful of nuts and you’ve meet your most your needs). The most important thing is your electrolytes… these are NOT optional if you are keto ( I know this first hand, when I first started wasn’t supplementing enough and while walking my dog I started having heart palpitations and felt as though I was going to pass out, it was so scary and never want to experience that image1.png
My best advice is to eat fatty meat or protein with added fat like butter, avocado , cream cheese, or sour cream. I don’t eat a lot of veggies anymore. I eat a lot of pork belly, bacon, bacon wrapped sour cream jalapeños, fat head pizza, wings with a lot of ranch lol. If you have anymore questions feel free to email me.