AIBU to feel constantly hungry on a low-carb diet?

[Touty]

Been doing low carb for a while now and seems to be the only way for me post middle age

But OMG I’m hungry all the time, like a wolf. I find myself snacking on peanut butter and cheese to keep me going.

Tonight I’ve eaten a whole tray of turkey meatballs, must be about 350g of meat, I’m still hungry.

Any tips?

Guys I’ve gone on weight watchers, I’ve joined with the app. I feel better eating more carbs, it’s nice to be able to eat bread etc again. It’s a very low fat diet, so that’s a big change.

Good luck @Touty , there’s many ways to catch a fish, as they say. Fingers crossed you have found what works for you!

Glad it’s working for you @Touty good luck with your weight loss journey.

Coming to this thread for various reasons. How is WW going for you @Touty ? I’m considering it after gaining a chunk on SW

Hey it’s going well and very easy to follow, I joined online with the app only 10 pounds per month.

This. If you want to lose weight by being in ketosis, it’s better to follow a high fat diet rather than purely a low carb diet. If you eat too much protein, you’ll produce more insulin which will make you hungry - the insulin is in your bloodstream looking for work to go, so your brain tells you to eat which manifests as hunger.

Don’t try to count calories - just eat fatty low carb foods rather than “healthy” low carb foods.

it’s not for everyone but it does work.

Edited to add this is a bit of a zombie thread lol

I was taught to fill half my plate with vegetables and pulses. Then protein. I find that does work.

First, I lament my twenties, when I thought I was fat but definitely wasn’t. Now I’m in my 50s. Have struggled with my weight over the decades, but also struggled with how to deal with it - mostly resulting in just giving up! I tried no/low carb, WW, SW, blah blah blah. In my head I made excuses, especially re my underactive thyroid, though it does make things a bit harder.

For some reason, I seem to have had a flip switch this year. I signed up to an app (Nutracheck), started logging everything I eat, made a few minor adjustments. I’m not a sweet/dessert person, but I was an absolute fiend for savoury and carbs. Much rather hot buttered toast than a bar of chocolate.

I have just made very small changes - rather than a sandwich with thick white bread, I’ll now have a wholemeal roll/bap or a bagel thin. I’ve definitely cut down on traditional type crisps, but I’ll have wotsits or walkers french fries, or small bags of sweet and salty popcorn. For dinners I’ve been having things like chicken burgers in a bun with a few french fries, stir fries with noodles, a load of chicken with a couple of roast potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding plus veg, Thai chicken curry and rice. Basically not depriving myself of food that tastes blooming great.

I’ve lost 1.5 stone since the beginning of July. Yes, it’s taken a while. Have had a couple of weeks where I’ve gained one or two pounds. But, for the most part, it’s been gradually going down. And I’m still a bit gobsmacked at how easy it’s been and how, even on a week where I’ve gained, my brain hasn’t gone straight to “fuck it, what’s the point”. I can only assume it’s because I’ve not tried to eliminate any food group at all, but that I’m logging my intake/macros each day. It’s the most relaxed I’ve felt around food in a very long time and, not going to lie, it feels great especially getting thus far with an underactive thyroid.

I think I’ve accepted the fact that I’m never going to be the perfect figure for all types of clothing, but I’ve realised that I can feel good in what I know suits me. And I’m really enjoying eating what I really like, but in moderation, and that it’s very slowly having an effect on the scales. It’s not a chore and it’s not occupying my every thought.

If you are already eating high protein and still feeling hungry, then it may be worth adding a little more fat. It's probably why you are craving peanut butter and cheese.

I find a smaller amount of food with a little more fat tends to keep me fuller than more of a low fat food.

You mention eating a tray of turkey meatballs - I could easily do the same, but would struggle to finish a tray of 5% beef meatballs.

I also found if I had three 500 calorie meals I would be hungry all day, but if I had one 1500 calorie meal in the evening then I'd stay feeling full right the way through to the next meal.

Maybe play around with your number of meals per day and adjusting portion sizes and find out if you cope better with more or less. My mother does best with 5 small meals Vs my one.