Loss of appetite big time

[Ben Running]

sorry if there are other threads on this subject but i did search and got no results. Which actually surprised me. Anyway, just curious if this is a common side effect? I have to force myself to eat anymore. Not saying i hate it by any means.:D

[Spruce Goose]

A lot of people tend to not be as hungry on low-carb. There are several reasons and I'm sure someone will come along and mention them.

One that I know of is that fat and protein are much more satiating than carbs. Not only do they fill you up better, carbs are known to suppress the ability of your body to determine when it's full (not sure if all carbs or just sugar on this one).

Also, low-carb better regulates your blood sugar. Without the constant cycle of sugar high and crash, you don't get quite the cravings. In the early stages of the plan, a lot of people have trouble eating enough to meet their protein minimums.

[Ben Running]

Thanks that makes sense. Protein minimums are basically 1 gram per pound of body weight right?

[maxlharris]

Thanks that makes sense. Protein minimums are basically 1 gram per pound of body weight right?

No. If you have Protein Power Life Plan, there is a simple chart that relates height to weight and gives you a protein minimum. If you have Protein Power, there is a gender specific formula for determining your lean body mass. Depending on your activity level, and your level of obesity, your protein minimum can range between half a gram of protein per pound of lean body mass to nine tenths of a gram per pound of lean body mass.

The LBM is key. You do not eat additional protein to feed pounds of fat. Only lean body mass... organs, muscles, skeleton, connective tissue, etc.

A lot of people tend to not be as hungry on low-carb. There are several reasons and I'm sure someone will come along and mention them.
As mentioned, protein is more satiating that carbs. Ditto for certain fats. Have heard convincing rational for both being the satiation nutrient. The question of which is filling is irrelevant, as you are not doing the program right if you are shunning one for the other.

As mentioned, carbs turn to sugar in the blood. Insulin gets released. This works with the hunger hormone, leptin. More carbs, more leptin. Fewer carbs, less leptin. No leptin, no hunger.

There are additional pathways, but the bottom line is, it is completely normal to not ever be hungry while doing protein power and eating proper amounts regularly. I have not really been hungry without skipping meals or eating carbs in years.