Why is my appetite through the roof?

[MerryMarigold]

Wasn't sure where to put this, and thought there may be some people in this area who really understand this stuff. I'm hungry all the time. When I start eating it's like I'm famished and v hard to stop. I'm eating waaaay too much. I'm fairly overweight. It's got a lot worse since I came off antidepressants. I'm definitely not pregnant. Please help! I want it to stop.

What are you eating? My appetite gets stoked by sweet things and carbs. If I stay off those and eat mainly protein and veg/salad my appetite stays under control. Even there I find some things are really hard to stop eating - such as shepherd's pie. I read a tip somewhere to test your appetite by keeping hard boiled eggs in the fridge. Eat them if you are hungry - it is very unlikely you'll get through many before you stop eating, in which case you need to look at what you are eating that is causing you to eat more.

I 2nd the salty and sweet things , our bodies crave them, it's like a seesaw; salty and or garlicky main course , then you HAVE to have a sweet dessert

Another thing to watch is your sleep patterns , if you don't get a solid 6 or 7 hours (I know how difficult that is with little ones) Then apparently we don't secrete the gut hormone that signals that we are 'full.'

I lost 3 stone with Paul Mackenna who helped me learn to know when I was full and to STOP eating.

One of the other important things in his way of eating (it's not a diet btw) is to actually eat when you are properly hungry but eat SLOWLY, not standing up, not in front of a screen , and eat healthy, crunchy food to really enjoy it . Oh and to drink a lot of water or herbal teas when you shouldn't be hungry , that helps me maintain.

Thanks! I hate boiled eggs so that could be a problem. Yes, mostly I'm eating rubbish, crisps, cakes, sandwiches. Tonight I made nice Thai curry with chicken, carrots, green beans and rice. An hour later I was hungry for a sandwich. And even writing this makes me want another. My tummy is full but I'm hungry. Its so weird.

Did you eat it slowly ? (chew it, maybe count the chews!), then have a large glass of water or a herbal tea I like mint. Or have a drink (not alk of course ) BEFORE your meal.

Paul Mackenna says don't be a member of the clean plate club! I sometimes only eat between the hours of 9am and 6pm. Your stomach gets used to not eating ,Honest Oddly when I do eat late I feel hungrier in the morning than when I haven't. Your stomach WILL get used to not eating.

I think (am not a doctor!!) that this type of hunger CAN be a symptom of pre diabetes. May be go to your GP for a test?

I find that if I'm trying to lose weight, my body thinks there's a famine now, and it gets particularly hungry.

Single If you eat slowly and always eat a nourishing meal when you feel hungry you can get over that feeling, as I said about the Paul Mackenna way of eating , you never feel hungry, no calorie counting or diet foods, it's much healthier.

I am like this if I eat sugar and starchy carbs.
“A little is too much and too much is never enough”
One biscuit today will be two tomor three the next day
Not surprising really since these things are designed to be addictive and you need more every time to have the same effect

Rice - starchy. Carrots - OK, a veg, but a high sugar one. I think you may have some sugar thing going on. I would suggest eating only wholegrain carbs, and as few of those as possible, plus drinking tea if you feel hungry after a meal and see if the feeling goes away. I would drink tea and promise myself if I still felt hungry half an hour later I would allow myself a snack. Usually I forgot all about it. Fill up on protein and green veggies as far as possible.

Thanks all. I had a blood test last week, so just need to sort out appointment to go over it. Having a drink and then forgetting about the hunger is a good idea. I'll try that one. The hunger intensity seems to be better for last 2 days. I think my work pattern doesn't help. I work 9.30-3.00 on 3 days, no lunch, so I get in starving and need to get something quick before school run so it's usually a sandwich and crisps. Then walk /eat to pick kids up. Then eat again at 6.30. My tummy doesn't know what it's doing.