Maybe I'm the Very Hungry Caterpillar

July 4, 2017 3:40 AM

I finish eating a meal, and I want to eat again straight away. Why?

I'm a 40 year old woman, and a power wheelchair user (I can't exercise due to a medical condition that causes severe Post-Exertional Malaise.) No history of eating disorders. Thyroid was normal when checked. I checked with a psychiatrist, and I'm definitely not Depressed.

I didn't used to have much of an appetite at all, but lately I ALWAYS seem to be hungry. I literally finish eating and think about eating again ten minutes later.

Today I ate:

- smashed avocado on glutenfree sourdough toast with a fresh raw green salad;
- a small serve of cooked quinoa;
- a small serve of cooked broccoli, English spinach, and green beans;
- a small coffee with almond milk;
- four fresh rice-paper rolls containing cabbage, carrot, other raw vegetables and tofu;
- a glutenfree pizza (no cheese) with mushrooms, spinach, pineapple and fresh basil.

and I'm STILL hungry. Is this just a reaction to cold weather (winter just started in my city a few weeks ago), or is there something else going on?

posted by Murderbot to Health & Fitness (23 answers total)

Well, that doesn't sound like much in the way of calories or (especially) protein, for one. Have you changed your diet recently? Is the gluten-free diet new for you? Most GF flours have way less protein than wheat, and servings of GF foods tend to be smaller.
posted by mskyle at 3:50 AM on July 4, 2017 [12 favorites]

Response by poster: mskyle: I've been eating a gluten free diet for 3 or 4 years now, on medical advice.
posted by Murderbot at 3:59 AM on July 4, 2017

Increasing fat and protein might help the rest of what you eat to stick with you a bit longer.
posted by spindrifter at 4:03 AM on July 4, 2017 [14 favorites]

Yes, fill up on fat and protein (for example: roast chicken and a salad with full-fat dressing) and you will be full much longer. You don't have to go full keto, but make protein and fat a much bigger part of your diet.

If this keeps up, consult your doctor, as it might indicate insulin resistance (or other things).
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 4:49 AM on July 4, 2017

Are you drinking enough water? Or tea? When it gets cold, I forget to hydrate, and that can feel like hunger.
posted by kjs4 at 5:11 AM on July 4, 2017 [1 favorite]

I can't work out if this is what you ate for one meal, or literally all day? If all day, that sounds like a really small amount of food to me, none of it very filling (veg on their own never fill me up, always need protein/fat/carbs too), no wonder you're hungry!

Apart from that - any changes in meds recently? Some drugs have increased appetite as a side effect. When this happened for me, the hunger wasn't in the form of physical hunger (eg. rumbling tummy), it was like a mental compulsion to EAT ALL THE FOOD. Are you physically hungry, or is your brain just feeling really driven towards food?
posted by penguin pie at 5:31 AM on July 4, 2017 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: penguin pie: that was literally all the food I ate today.
posted by Murderbot at 5:42 AM on July 4, 2017

Wowsers. Eat more food, then! :)

Even allowing for the fact that you're sedentary, that sounds more like one hearty meal to me, than an entire day's food, though I guess it depends on portion size of things like the rice paper rolls.

As others have said, protein and fat (and maybe carbs, YMMV, very unfashionable these days, but they make me feel full) are your friends when increasing your calorie intake to feel fuller longer.
posted by penguin pie at 5:49 AM on July 4, 2017 [2 favorites]

It doesn't seem like an unreasonably small amount of food to me, especially given you are not exercising. Not if this is the amount you are used to eating, and haven't cut your usual amount in half or something. I am not an expert but I have done a lot of reading and research on nutrition. For what that's worth.


Also, greens and broccoli contain a ton more protein than people realize. If you are accustomed to eating this diet, it shouldn't be the reason you are suddenly hungry. I would look for a different reason for your hunger outside of what you currently eat - cold weather, or a new medication, or maybe you are feeling depressed lately (which can definitely change your body chemistry and make you feel hungry when you just ate.) Also, it could be plain old boredom. Food excites the "reward" system in the brain, and perhaps you are seeking the stimulation of eating without realizing it.

Eat more, if you feel the hunger is really physical. If it is mental, consider why and what you can do to change it.
posted by Crystal Fox at 6:20 AM on July 4, 2017 [4 favorites]

Firstly, you're a Murderbot. You should thrive on a diet of pure, precise hate and accurate, targeted violence.

If that's not working for you, you need to understand *why* you are hungry. You say this has happened recently. Have there been any changes in your diet, health, or circumstances that have changed around the time this started?

Are you gaining or losing weight? This can be hard to judge without actually measuring it on properly calibrated scales. People with mobility issues often have significant fluctuations caused by fluid levels.

Now, energy intake. If you are an inactive 25yo woman, five feet stretching, and weigh 50kg dripping wet, then you need 1350 calories a day. If you are older, heavier, taller, or less female, then you will need a lot more.

That diet is around 700 calories. Maybe 1000, but that gluten-free crap isn't giving you much (yes I like gluten judge me).

From what you say, you are starving yourself. You are hungry because you need more food. Hunger is a healthy response for a hungry person.

You're hungry because you need more food. Please track your weight. If you are losing weight, have you considered sausages?

Also: have a hug: You posted this because you're worried. Hugs are good. So are sausages.
posted by Combat Wombat at 6:22 AM on July 4, 2017 [14 favorites]

I'm surprised everyone is saying you need to eat more! This is about what I eat in a typical day, and I do not have any exercise restrictions.

I think the quantity of your food is fine, but a little more protein and fat would help you feel full for longer. Do you eat eggs and/or dairy? I like to eat a hard boiled egg with breakfast - otherwise, my stomach is just a bottomless pit begging to be filled with carbs. Even a small piece of hard cheese with lunch can help you feel more full.

Also, if you're used to eating lean like this, shoving some sausages into your face is probably not going to help much. Better to start by gradually increasing your lean protein and healthy fat intake, and work your way up to things like sausage. Otherwise shocking your lean-eating-system with fatty sausages is only going to lead to an upset belly.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 6:56 AM on July 4, 2017 [1 favorite]

I get this with colder weather, hormone fluctuations, boredom and procrastination. You couldn't be starting getting towards the menopause?

The other thing I find is that if I really fancy a certain food I can eat everything else in the world and still be "hungry".

You can't comment on someone's diet unless you know ingredients and portion sizes. For a small woman in middle age who isn't expending many calories due to activity this did intake could well be perfect!
posted by kadia_a at 7:06 AM on July 4, 2017

I love the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" theme:

Today I ate:
- smashed avocado on glutenfree sourdough toast with a fresh raw green salad;
- a small serve of cooked quinoa;
- a small serve of cooked broccoli, English spinach, and green beans;
- a small coffee with almond milk;
- four fresh rice-paper rolls containing cabbage, carrot, other raw vegetables and tofu;
- a glutenfree pizza (no cheese) with mushrooms, spinach, pineapple and fresh basil.

Murderbot, can you clarify these quantities in grammes/ounces and calories?

An entire avocado is about 200 calories, but I'm guessing you had about half that.

How big is a 'small serving on quinoa?' Let's say it's 50g. That's about 70 calories.

Then a small serve of vegetables. Let's say 100g. That's less than 50 calories.

Coffee doesn't have calories to mention. Let's guess you sloshed 100ml of almond milk in your coffee. That's 20 calories.

I'm going to assume that your rice-paper rolls were actually packed with healthy, nutritious, delicious rice - no boring veggies taking up calorie-space. That's 260 calories! Nice work.

That's 510 calories.

Now: The pizza. Assuming you had three slices of a 12-inch Domino's Spicy Vege Trio, that's 440 calories.

Your daily total is 950 calories. Plus that gluten-free bread which cannot be called a sourdough because WORDS MATTER.

Let's give it another 100 calories because we can't admit you're eating less than 1,000 calories a day.

I have no idea what schroedingersgirl eats, but an operational, effective Murderbot should be eating twice what you are.

Murderbot, we need you. Please manage your energy intake effectively. You have many, many friends who can help you think about this sensibly.

But mostly, eat more food. You can trust your body on this.
posted by Combat Wombat at 7:29 AM on July 4, 2017 [10 favorites]

Like Kadia_a, I find that if there's something I have in mind to eat, I'll not feel satisfied with anything else. Give in! If this leads to an unbalanced diet one day, you'll probably make up for it the next.
posted by lakeroon at 7:55 AM on July 4, 2017

If I understand correctly this is how you've been eating for the last few years, but suddenly you don't feel full / satisfied. If that's true, talk to your doctor.

I have to have animal protein and fat, especially at lunch, to feel full and energized. It looks almost like you're eating vegan in addition to gluten-free. If that's not deliberate, maybe try a little yogurt, canned tuna or chicken breast and see if that helps. If you *are* vegan, then maybe some lentils, beans, peanut butter or hummus.

Good luck.
posted by bunderful at 8:03 AM on July 4, 2017 [1 favorite]

I think you need more fat and protein. Nut butter is my favorite way to do that, but you'll find something that works for you. I also find that sometimes I just want dessert, and nothing else will do.

In general I think you need more food, but there are things you can try. Hunger/satiety cues are notoriously delayed for most people, so wait a full 20-30 minutes before you have a second helping if you still want one. You can also add plain popcorn or snacking vegetables (sugar snap peas, carrot sticks, etc) which have a lot of bulk but not so many calories (although I think you need the calories, it's still a good strategy to try.) Also try just drinking a glass of water instead, to see if maybe you were thirsty.

If you're still hungry, eat! It's possible you need it for butterfly purposes.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:10 AM on July 4, 2017

And, get your vitamin, hormone, insulin, and thyroid levels checked. You may have some random deficiency that is spiking hunger. It could be something really simple to fix.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:11 AM on July 4, 2017 [4 favorites]

I do sometimes get hungrier at the change of seasons from warm to cold, but I'm agreeing with others that you are getting protein, but your diet seems a little skimpy on the kind of healthy proteins/fats that can make you feel fuller.

If you are vegan, maybe add a bit more beans, lentils, or tofu to your diet, and also nut butter, as others have suggested. A tablespoon or so of a nut butter spread on some gluten free bread/toast is one way to do this. If you are not vegan, then add a bit of egg (for example, a hard boiled egg can be eaten out of hand, or cut up and tossed into salad ...), cheese, or some Greek yogurt into your diet. If you are not vegetarian, then add some fish, or white meat chicken, or some turkey or other fowl. Also, soup can help you feel fuller, and is good in the winter.
posted by gudrun at 8:48 AM on July 4, 2017

Nthing that you need more fat and protein. I've just recently while at work started often eating vegan and glutenfree (coworkers are vegan) and I have noticed myself dropping weight like crazy, even when I splurge at home. It's great for you but I also feel hungry all the time and inclined to snack.

A good, vegan, gluten free way to snack is on nuts- they are protein filled and delicious and all natural and make me feel less like devouring my own flesh to be less hungry.
posted by corb at 9:40 AM on July 4, 2017

I'll agree with everybody who says that the list and nature of foods consumed seems to result in a fairly low amount of calories consumed, too low for a lot of people. But assuming you have eaten like this for some time and are able to maintain a healthy weight doing that it probably works for you - in general.

However, especially if you are slender and can't move much there is a good chance that you have to expend more calories to maintain your temperature if it gets cooler/wintry. So if this is a new thing you may simply need more calories at the moment, even if this is enough food most of the time. So yes, add more protein and/or fats and see how that goes.

Also consider when you're next seeing your doctor get your hormone, mineral, vitamine levels checkt etc. Something may be out of whack.
posted by koahiatamadl at 10:51 AM on July 4, 2017

I'm with Combat Wombat, and think you really need to eat more nutrient dense food. Especially in colder weather.

I'm not a professional, but I've spent a lot of time picking apart dietary requirements and food in general. What I see in your list is a lot of water, carbs, and fiber. The stuff that modern dietary ideals say is full of win and health and should totally fill you up. Unfortunately, in practice, most people do not find this adequately filling if they don't also get enough protein and fat. I don't think that you get a full 60 grams of protein. It takes a truly epic amount of veg to get to 60 grams. Especially if you don't include nuts or beans. 60 grams of protein is considered a good average daily minimum for an adult female of any activity level. Much less than that and most people will lose muscle mass.

A lot of people do get a fair bit of protein from bread. Puts the wheatless people at a disadvantage. I don't eat wheat either. But I don't eat much in the way of gluten-free bread, because it is expensive and not very good for me. I eat a lot more brown rice.

Meals that are mostly carbs make me more hungry. Carbs digest fast, insulin spikes, blood sugar drops, and I'm starving. So for me, rice and cheese or beans. Fruit and cheese. Gotta slow those carbs right down.

Suggestions: If you can, add an egg or two and some dairy. Otherwise, more quinoa is a start, nuts and nut butters, beans and lentils, more soy proteins if soy works for you. Do not be afraid of getting a bit more in the way of fats. Put some butter or oil on your quinoa.
posted by monopas at 1:14 PM on July 4, 2017 [2 favorites]

How lately is lately? Are we talking days/weeks/months? Other than the small coffee, what are you drinking? I agree that sounds like a small and very unsatisfying amount of food that's lacking in fat and protein, however if that's normal for you then its probably not the cause of your sudden hunger. It could be the weather but you're 40 years old, surely you'd have noticed that before? I would say its probably hormones (if its not dehydration) and whether its something worrysome depends how long its been going on and if its affecting your weight. If its months then probably wouldn't hurt to go get checked out.
If you do give in to your urges and eat more, are you satisfied? If so, I would do that and keep an eye on your weight. If you ignore it does it go away? Try drinking more water before and during meals so you're full when you've finished eating - you could try eating slower but you're eating pretty small amounts of food so it might be hard to drag it out to a decent length of time
posted by missmagenta at 3:01 PM on July 4, 2017

Also checking in on the 'how lately is lately' thing. Strangely, I kept getting hunger pangs often -- including right after I ate -- and then discovered I had an ulcer. Definitely not saying that it's what you have, but maybe that could be a possibility. Check with your doctor.
posted by knownassociate at 10:07 AM on July 5, 2017