Hungry, tense, not sleeping

(Kitty) #1

I’m so hungry I feel tense and cannot sleep or relax. I eat all my calories for the day, plus some, and it feels like I’m eating nothing. My ketones are high (3.1 mmol), but I feel starving. I’m 5’5”, female, age 42, 110lbs, very lightly active (slow walks), and take in 1800 calories/day with 75% fat, 18% protein, 7% carbs.

My goal is NOT weight loss, but to improve my mental health (depression/anxiety/ADHD), energy, and recover from being an overeater since age 8, hoping to feel more satiated on keto, NOT less satiated!

I’ve gained and lost 100lbs most of my life and hoped keto would help me keep my weight off. I’m very aware of TRUE hunger verses emotional hunger, and this is TRUE hunger.

I’ve been keto for 2.5 years, and the only way I’ve made it without eating my brains out and gaining weight is to up my protein and carbs a couple times a week to satiate myself. I’d much prefer to stay straight keto all the time because the higher protein and carbs knock me out of ketosis and make me feel really icky, yet satiated. So a couple times a week I go from 20-30g carbs to 50g carbs, and 60-75g protein to 100g protein.

Any suggestions? I’ve tried lower carbs, lower protein, higher carbs, higher protein, it seems I’ve tried every macronutrient ratio possible! I’m satiated with higher protein and carbs, but feel like crap. Uggg. Go figure. HELP!

(Omar) #2

If you on keto for 2.5 years I am sure you understand the role of potassium and electrolytes in general.

what is your fasting BG just for curiosity?

(icky) #3

Have you tried just eating more?

Like, lots more?

I think the point is to eat until you feel no more hunger.

That may have you eating LOTS for a while but then your body’s hunger signals should start self-regulating.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #4

Fat is much more satiating than carbs. Are you sure you’re getting enough fat?

(Empress of the Unexpected) #5

Maybe you can show us a usual daily menu? But yes, more fat will fill you up.

(Jay AM) #6

Fat and more fat. Fat doesn’t make you fat, it does keep you sated however. Fat is more filling than either carbs or protein. You shouldn’t have to eat much more of it to feel fine. At this point presumably, your body’s main energy source is fat and at your current weight you don’t have a ton to pull from body stores if any so you need to provide outside sources.

(Katie) #7

I do not see a picture of you, but for a woman of your height I believe that that is a lower end of the spectrum for weight.
My recommendations: try eating fat to satiety, whole foods, and not tracking your calories and macros. Just count the carbohydrates to remain under 20. Make sure to have fattier protein sources. Do this for a week or so, do not worry about gaining weight (it seems like if you did then you would still be in good shape). The high fat diet will probably benefit your brain health and your hormones. Perhaps your hunger hormones are off and this will be healing.
Another thing to consider is if there are foods that are triggering your hunger? Dairy, sweeteners, and nuts can do that for a lot of people, so consider removing those from your diet to see if that helps.

(Kitty) #8

fasting BG

Fasted BG between 70 & 90, depending on the day.
Yes, very aware of electrolytes. Higher protein days = higher fasted BG

(Kitty) #9

Breakfast: 2-3 C salad, mct oil, avocado, 2 oz lean meat (I know, not good), olives

Lunch: high fat recipe like chia cream soup

Dinner: miracle noodles with a fat sauce and 1oz meat and one egg, all drenched in butter. Also mix in 1 c cooked low carb veggies

Snack: adapt bar (5g protein, 2g carb and lots of healthy fats) dipped in ghee, 1 tbs coconut butter, and more nut butters until I reach my macros.

(Kitty) #10

Thanks for the detailed suggestion. It’s worth a try. Scary. I’ve been at the same calorie intake for 2.5 yrs, as it’s the only way I’ve managed to maintain my weight loss.

Haha! Ya, I’ve tried all eliminations and it seems ALL FOOD triggers my hunger. Lol​:bangbang::joy:

(Kitty) #11

That’s what I’m told in the keto community, but as you know it’s very controversial. I wonder if I just don’t feel satiated because fat doesn’t have any BULK, like protein and veggies do. Just a thought.

(Wendy) #12

I agree eat more fat. Eat more food. I admit I’ve never counted calories so I don’t know how many I eat but I’m not hungry and I continue to lose. It just seems wrong that you are feeling so miserable.
Hope you find that eating can become enjoyable and life too!

(LeeAnn Brooks) #13

It’s not simply opinion. There’s science to back up the fact that fat is more satieting. And since per gram carbs have 4 calories while fat has 9, it’s a better fuel source.
Much like diesel fuel burns longer than unleaded gasoline. Fat fueling the body will take you longer than carbs will.

(icky) #14

I think this sounds like way too little food and way too little fat.

No wonder you are constantly hungry.