Hungry

[Peaches]

I am on vlcd 8 and I sometimes I get hungry. I am following the diet correctly and have not cheated and I am down 7 lbs.  Has anyone else experienced this too.  Sometimes I think my body is just used to eating the way before.  I take 166 iu daily.  Should I increase my dose or just wait it out.  Any suggestions would be helpfull.

[six*dogz]

You are right! Your body does get used to eating, even when it's not hungry. It's hard to break the habit, but you can do it! You've already lost 7 lbs and that is awesome! Try snacking on cucumbers or red/orange peppers. That is what I do and it seems to satisfy. Drinking tea helps also. It will get easier and seeing your weight drop off every day is a good incentive! Keep it up!

[Lopaka]

Yeah.  Getting hungry is normal.  But the same is true when you were eating normally.  If you notice, the hunger will disappear after awhile and may go away for hours.  It's like the body switches gears and starts going after the fat stores.

[Jenn]

Don't increase your dosage ~ many people find that they're hungrier if their dose is too high.  When they lower it, they're not so hungry.
Are you SURE you're drinking enough water?!  Keeping well hydrated will also help with hunger and is very important on this protocol.  Take a day and keep track of how much you drink, so you you know how much water you're actually drinking (tea does not count) ~
I take MCT (medium chain triglycerides) from coconut oil.  Extra Virgin coconut oil is the best to use, and it has really helped with my hunger issues ~

[momof4kids]

When I had hunger issues in the beginning, I drank a lot of Yerba Matte tea, that is what my Doctor told me to use and it worked:)   

[Mom]

I wanted to comment on your feeling of hunger.  I am on my 2nd round of VLCD, having completed a 40-day round a few months ago successfully.  I had no problems with P3 & P4 and started my 2nd round about 3 weeks ago.  This round has been extremely difficult for me and I have suffered through daily hunger without relief.  I had heard from others that they have experienced the same.  My weight loss has also proved difficult compared to my first round.  In my first round I lost 38 pounds in 40 days.  After three weeks into my 2nd round I have only lost 5 pounds and have not cheated at all.  I'd like to hear from others out there.
thanks

[Paxatax]

Hi, I'm new, just lived through day two on the 500 calories. I've been sooooo good. But guess what! I'm soooooo hungry. I really only have about 15 lbs I want to lose, don't know if people with less weight to lose get hungrier or something but seriously, I really hope it gets better. Paxatax

[PinkyDog]

I am on my 5th round of vlcd and today day 12 I've lost 11.8 pounds which is not as good as my other 4 rounds.  I am also having a difficult time with this round.  I have cheated a few times and have been hungry.  For me the hunger is not physical, my stomach is not growling, it is psychological.  I'm just used to bigger portions and my eyes are not seeing those portions so my brain is saying where's the rest of the meal?   

[JUANITA]

I HAVE BEEN REALLY CRAVING SUGAR/SWEETS, WHAT CAN I DO FOR THAT? ON MY 3RD WEEK. WHERE CAN I GET THE BOOKS? I HAVE BEEN EATING CAULIFLOWER AND BROCCOLI, IS THAT ALLOWED? I MAKE A VEGGIE SOUP WITH CABBAGE, AND OTHER VEGGIS INCLUD CAUL, AND BROC. I SUE BRAGG'S SOYPROTEIN AS A BASE WITH WATER.WHERE CAN I GET A BETTER LIST OF FOODS YOU CAN HAVE?

[valentijn]

Some of us are very sensitive to variations in our blood sugar.  Foods that are relatively high on the Glycemic Index, like apples, oranges, and melba toast or breadsticks, can cause hunger when the sugar rush wears off.  Try getting rid of those for a few days, but make sure you're still getting 20+ carbs per day from low-GI sources.

[JUANITA]

THANKS FOR THE SWEET TIP. I HAVE BEEN ONLY EATING 2APPLES AND A FEW BERRIES AND ALOT OF SUGARFREE  MINTS AND GUM TO SATISFY MY SWEET TOOTH. I DONT EAT ANY MELBATOASTS. DO YOU THINK THE MINTS ARE CAUSING THIS ALSO? SHOULD I STOP THE FRUIT FOR A COUPLE DAYS?THANKS

[valentijn]

Give it a try for a few days - but if not eating apples and oranges, eat strawberries and grapefruit instead, or some medium-carb vegetables like squash.  That way you still get the carbs you need for the day.

Sugar-free items can also cause cravings if they have an impact on blood sugar, so you might want to look up the effects of the sugar substitutes being used in the mints and gums.

[Sassy]

Hi Hungry, that is my middle name too (or used to be). Instead of chewing gum or mints which are loaded with artificial sweeteners you might want to try what I read from someone else on this diet. Take a cinnamon stick and break it in half and chew on it. Cinnamon is good for blood sugar balance and no calories and no artificial sugars. Anyway, that is what I have done for several weeks and I have lost my craving for gum.

[wetoneses]

I am on day 6 of the vlcd and I am very hungry as well.  My doctor made it sound as though you are only allowed your 100 oz of meat, 2 cups of veggies, one apple, and one melba toast and should eat all at once.  Can I break these up?  Can I add more than 2 cups of veggies?  I am getting light headed!  I need something to kick in or I fear I will cheat!

[Galinda]

That would be 100 gms. of meat, NOT 100 oz!  

I chew sugarless gum, and it doesn't seem to affect my weight loss dramatically, but as a CNA working graveyard shifts, I get excessively thirsty on my rounds and cannot take my water with me.  The gum keeps my saliva flowing.  I am not chewing it just to have somehthing in my mouth.

To abate the hunger when it hits, drink more water, or either Oolong tea or Yerba Mate tea.  They seem to eliminate the mental hunger.  It isn't the stomach grumbling hunger; it psychological.