Slowing down ... but in a really good way

(Joey) #1

So, I’ve only been at this LCHF thing for about 2 weeks (which has been a sharp switch’aroo from 60+ years of a HCLF lifestyle). I’ve been very fortunate, having somehow dodged any ill transition symptoms and I quickly began seeing encouraging blood indicators - ketones well in the 2-3 mmol/L range and GKI ratios consistently between 1 and 2.

In fairness, I was blessed with fairly good health to begin with, but now I’m delighted to say I feel pretty darn wonderful - loads of energy, reduced hunger, no cravings, muscles/joints feel better than ever, etc.

But here’s a surprise (for me, at least)…

What really struck me in the last few days is that my pace of eating has s-l-o-w-e-d down. I mean, I used to be the first to finish my food eating at every meal. I always seemed to be starving by the time the food was ready - regardless of whether I was cooking for myself or sitting with others in a restaurant. I often tried to intentionally slow down - to be more “mindful” during my meals to savor each bite. But it rarely worked … without a sustained concerted effort I ate like a starved wolf. All I could think about after each bite, was taking the next bite.

But now, even after a 16 hr “fast” (other than 1 cup of black coffee in the morning with a teaspoon of pure cacao powder), when my two-egg omelette and thick bacon strips are on the plate, I’m simply in no great rush to eat them. They taste great - but I’m inclined to take small bites and read a bit more from a magazine before taking another nibble.

I assume this natural SLOWING DOWN effect is an indication that the LCHF foods are beginning to change my experience/relationship with eating. The food tastes wonderful and I really enjoy it. But my lifelong sense of urgency to eat seems to have suddenly vanished. Instead, I feel like eating because, well, it’s time to eat. And I know it’s good for me. And, yeah, I enjoy it… but there’s no compulsion to rapidly gulp it down. There’s no rush.

Perhaps this is a typical changeover that others have experienced and it’s been widely reported? If so, I guess missed the memo. Because this pleasant change is both surprising and most welcomed.

Anyone else used to be a ravenous eater - now experiencing this slow down?

(Susan) #2

I think that most people on Keto have experienced this; you get full really quickly too. Keto is cool =).

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #3

I still eat like that when I’m hungry. Usually, though, I’m not hungry like I was when carbs were my fuel. I still like to eat in privacy because I eat like a dog. Chomp, swallow. I don’t know if it was because we were poor and it was first come-first serve when it came to getting seconds (or there wasn’t seconds because Dad got them.) My brothers eat like this too. I compare it to an orphaned animal who grows up to be a fat dog/cat because they were always hungry when they were little and it put a wrench in their brain.

(Joey) #4

Apparently I really DID miss that memo. Now I know - thanks!

Sounds like you’ve done a solid job of reverse-engineering your childhood influences. All I ever wanted to eat was hot dogs partly because it drove my folks nuts. Still love 'em, but now without the bun :wink: