I started to eat lower carbs about a week ago to ease my way into the keto diet. While I’m not quite fully into the keto plan, I have reduced my carbs exponentially. I also have carb flu pretty bad at the moment. I was wondering if it’s normal to get hunger pangs alot, either starting to lower your carbs or during the flu part? Perhaps I’m doing something wrong?
Hunger pangs?
TamaRan
#2
Here’s what DietDoctor.com has to say:
Increase your salt and water intake
More fat = fewer symptoms
Take it easy with physical activity
Don’t consciously restrict food intake
20 to 50 grams of carbs per day
MiKetoAF
(Mike W.)
#3
The slower you go transitioning, the harder it’s gonna be and longer it’s gonna take. Also make sure you are replacing your carbs with fat, and if you’re hungry EAT!
LAMamma
(Leigh Ann)
#4
So, are hunger pangs “normal” when you first start? I feel like I’m eating all the time and still getting them! I thought maybe I wasn’t getting enough vegetables (because I like very few that aren’t starchy vegetables), so I started having a LARGE salad for lunches rather than other options, but I feel like I’m getting more hunger pangs than before.
Meerkatsandy
#5
Like others said…hydrate and make sure youre electrolytes are in check 
Eat when youre hungry, make sure you add fat and try not to snack…eat actual, real-food meals. They will make you feel fuller and you lose that snacking reflex we all had from SAD. Dont just shovel nuts and cheese, instead make some eggs, butter, a few pickles, little cheese and enjoy your meal
Your body will catch up soon
Happyheart
(Wendy)
#6
The salad may fill you up at the time but the fat and the protein will keep you full longer. Make sure you have enough fat in that salad. I like a good dosing of olive oil and a touch of Vinigar and salt/seasonings. Is there a good protein source like meat or eggs in there? Maybe some cheese? I personally love avocados in mine and hot bacon if I can have it.
In the beginning I ate more and ate more often. Choose real foods, low in carbs and be patient. As you adapt cut out the in between snacks. Have some bulletproof coffee knockoffs 
to help you not eat carbs between meals if you like. I’m weird and don’t like coffee but I would sometimes eat a spoonful of coconut oil to hold me over.
This is what I did at the start. You will find your appetite reducing and then it will be much easier.
Magsymaybe
(mags)
#7
Everything everyone has said. Hang in there it will get better. Don’t be tempted to cheat because it prolongs the agony. I avoided all artificial sweeteners for months and my tolerance for sweet things has greatly reduced. Eat as much keto food as you need until you are fat adapted. KCKO
Lynndonna
#8
If you replace the word “carbs” with an addictive drug, say heroin, the reason for the hunger pangs might make more sense. If you are addicted to heroin and cut down to wean yourself off, you’ll experience the withdrawal symptoms for the entire time you are cutting back. The drug remains in your system, so you continue to crave it.
Carbs can have a similar effect, which is why the cold turkey approach gets you through to the other side faster. Just keep the electrolytes up, and you may avoid the worst of carb withdrawals (not calling it carb flu 
).
My sister started keto last week and texted me Wednesday in a state of panic. She was starving, had the shakes, was getting blurry vision and thought she needed more carbs. Turned out she wasn’t eating enough. She grabbed a Chipotle salad with lots of protein, sour cream, and guacamole. She felt tons better and now realized she needs to track and plan better.
Hope this helps. Best of luck!
daddyoh
(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!)
#9
GO strict low carb and give it a month or two. Then consider: Some people’s metabolism is so deranged that even after months of strict keto the appetite does not go away. They told me to eat toward satiety and that did not happen. I had to eat to holiday fullness. I watched / listened to maybe a 100 hours of keto content and came to this: So I knew I had to get to fasting to help my metabolism get used to lower insulin and BG.
I did and still do IF 18/6 and time restricted feeding (no snacks) as much as possible for a few months and now I’m on OMED (one Meal a Day) a few times a week. Soon I will do 48 hour fasts.
I have noticed a difference in my ability to eat to satiety and my weight is starting to lower again. It took me years to get to this state of derangement. It might take me a year to totally reverse it. Maybe longer. I’m in it for the long hall. I love the WOE / WOL. KCKO.