Increased hunger with MCT oil

(Tricia) #1

Does anyone feel hungrier when using MCT oil/powder?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

Since the fatty acids in MCT supplements are metabolised for energy, it is not all that likely. Of course, you wouldn’t want to be relying on MCT oil alone to satisfy your hunger! :grin:

If you are experiencing hunger when you add MCT oil to your diet, but not when you don’t add it, and all other aspects of your diet remain unchanged, then I would question the benefit of MCT oil/powder in your particular case. But my expectation is that if your ketogenic diet is well-formulated in the first place, some MCT oil/powder added as a supplement shouldn’t increase your hunger. Notice, however, that I write “shouldn’t,” not “won’t,” because everyone is different and we all have to listen to our own bodies.

(Tricia) #3

Thank you, Paul! I’ve been Keto since Jan 1, and trying to figure out why I’m so hungry for the last 10-12 days. Also, my sleep is horrible!

(Bob M) #4

Well, poor sleep and hunger go hand-in-hand. Which came first? And why the poor sleep?

(Tricia) #5

I’ve had trouble sleeping since menopause, but it worse. I don’t have trouble falling asleep, but sleeping the whole night through rarely happens. Since starting keto, I’m up at least twice, and cant sleep past 5am! I go to bed about 9. I usually have plenty of energy during the day. No coffee after 2pm, and just with cream.

(Bob M) #6

I wonder if this is transitory?

When I fast longer than 24 hours, I will get up early yet not be tired. As an older male, I get up usually 2 times per night; rarely, one time; occasionally, more than 2 times. So, that’s “normal” for me.

So, my initial suggestion is to keep going and see what happens. But if it keeps happening, and you’re getting tired, maybe having a few more carbs before bed might help. (Not chocolate, though – has other stuff that might keep you up.) Some people say that helps.

Magnesium before bed is another option. It helps some people.

As for MCT oil/powder, normal MCT oils and I don’t get a long. I can handle the pure C8 stuff, but otherwise, my digestion does not like this stuff. I can handle the powder, though, but usually don’t take any.

(Jane) #7

That’s 8 hours of sleep if you go to bed at 9 pm and get up at 5 am. How much do you normally need?

(Rebecca ) #8

9-5 is 8 hours…waking at night can be adrenal connected…it’s hard to tell. Oops…I just saw Janie said the same thing!!

(Jane) #9

I don’t think I’ve slept through the night since my first pregnancy 36 years ago LOL. Have to get up and pee at least once, maybe twice. But I go right back to sleep and not tired during the day, which is key.

Except going through menopause and I had wicked insomnia. Staring at the clock for hours, when normally I would fall asleep soon after I got horizontal.

(Tricia) #10

I don’t stay asleep! I’m up at least twice to pee, and can’t go right back to sleep.

(Tricia) #11

Maybe I’m not eating enough. I’m used to low calorie diets. I only have about 8lbs to lose. What keto calculators do you all use? I want my body to use it’s own fat as fuel. Any ideas?

(Susan) #12

I use cronometer.com --I have lost 61 pounds so far and I have about 100 or so to go =). I was 293, I am now 232 and my goal is about 130.

I do the IDM protocol and then I try to eat around 1800 or a bit more on my eating days --this is the protocol and it is working well for me:

IF%20Schedule%20-%20Copy

I change it up to do 3 -44 hour Fasts a week to keep my consistent 20:4 IF TMAD schedule that I prefer. It is interesting that the MCT oil makes you more hungry. If I need to have something of a fat to tide me over when fasting (I try to just stick to plain water, herbal, green, or regular tea) but when I do longer fasts (like one I did last week for 91 hours) I will eat a tablespoon of MCT oil or Coconut oil from the container to off set the hunger and keep me fasting.

(Tricia) #13

Omg!! I couldn’t not eat for that long! I can do about 16 hours on the days I go to the gym. I go in the mornings. I’m usually not hungry when I’m working out. On the days I can’t go due to work or babysitting, I’m hungry and my stomach is growling bad!
I’m also wondering if my coffee (just cream), is having anything to do with my hunger. I stopped taking fat burners (they weren’t doing anything except draining my wallet), the same time I started keto and maybe my body has changed? I’m so frustrated! I just dont know what to do anymore! :disappointed:
Congratulations on your weight loss!! Good for you! You should feel so proud of yourself! :wink::grinning:

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #14

First thing to do is stop using MCT oil/powder and see if you feel less hungry. Once you determine that, then maybe we can figure out what’s going on or at least what to try next.

(Troy Mitchell) #15

I noticed that the same thing happens. I use two tablespoons in my protein shake for breakfast and I have to have a snack by lunch. I may try swapping out a tablespoon with avocado oil. I would like to do real food in the morning but I get up too early and don’t want to wake the kids.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #16

“Poor sleep” is a subjective term, unfortunately. You may simply be suffering from abundant energy and not need as much sleep as you used to. When I joined the forums a couple of years ago, the main complaint was that people were finding themselves up early weeding the garden, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, reorganizing all the closets, and so on. It’s an awful problem to have, all that extra energy . . . :grin:

(Allie) #17

Oil made me much hungrier when I used it before I was fat adapted but not since.

(Tricia) #18

Yes, that’s me!! Maybe I need to drink less coffee? I like all the energy, but my brain is racing from thought to thought also.