Newbie to TF... intense cravings?

[filiadeluna]

Hi there!  34 days ago, I gave up soda pop/caffeine and high fructose corn syrup in anything.  In the last 2-3 weeks, I've been gradually given up processed foods, and have been eating more fruits & veg (organic, local, etc).  I've been using organic, free-range eggs for quite awhile, but I intend on buying some local ones as soon as what I have now is used up.  I also recently switched from ultra-pasteurized organic milk to just plain pasteurized organic milk.  I realize that raw is best, but I'm still working on finding a source.

Anyway, DH has been forced to jump on board because he discovered he has hypothyroidism and a fatty liver.  He has had to give up beer (one of his favorite things), and was told to reduce red meat consumption, and eat only organic and preferably local things, a lot more fiber, etc. 

IDK about him, but I feel like I am CONSTANTLY hungry now.  I am always snacking on fruit, but I am wanting to drink milk like a madwoman (I never used to like the taste of it - only had it on cereal, but most of my life we bought skim, processed, non-organic stuff).  I have also craved sweets a lot, and wanted sandwiches, cheese, meat, etc.  I can't stop eating.  I am already very overweight, and need to lose.  Is it normal to have such intense cravings when switching to real food?  I'm not craving junk, but just wanting to eat all the time - period.  I figured that giving up the HFCS and other processed junk, I would be satisfied more easily.  How much milk, etc is too much?  

[herent]

I also gave up large amounts of soda daily and sugar and had some cravings for a while.  It does get better, what I found helped me was to stay away from large quantites of fruit, bread and even some natural sugars because it raises blood sugar and will cause cravings for sweets later.  Start taking Coconut oil if you don't already, it really dampens the appetite, start it slow though it can cause stomach upset.  Drink the milk your body is probably craving the fats, cheese too.  I ate a really high calorie diet, 5 Tbs Coconut oil daily, butter, only sprouted grains, grass fed meats, fruit and veggies and lost weight, not quickly but it came off.  Good luck.

[lookatreestar]

my sugar cravings have gone down a lot since taking cod liver oil and butter oil. its like i can actually stay satisfied now. strange.

[filiadeluna]

Thanks!  I have coconut oil, but I've used it mostly as a body moisturizer and diaper rash "cream" for the kiddo.  I could definitely eat it.  As for cod liver oil - can't do it!  Anything fishy/oceany is repulsive to me.  Can't eat fish, seafood, etc - I have issues with it (taste, texture, smell).  What is butter oil?

[Piglet68]

I've been on the Paleo diet (but with dairy) for a month now. My sugar cravings are all but gone. I don't find myself craving the "bad stuff" UNLESS...I let myself get too hungry. Basically, on this diet I eat any time I feel the need (or skip eating if I don't feel the need). A handful of nuts, a bite of cheese, a bit of fruit, some sliced veggies. I don't let myself get really hungry. If I do that and forget to eat when I need to, I find myself craving carbs big time and those times are usually when I've cheated badly.

So, my advice to you is don't let yourself get that hungry! Snack throughout the day on healthy snacks, make sure there are good fats in your meals (oils from coconut, avocado, or any grass-fed animal fats) because they are what really satisfy and work best with your body's satiety mechanisms. 

[prancie]

Increase you consumption of protein and fat, watch the fruit.  Also, make or buy some fermented pickles and eat those when you have sugar cravings, they can eliminate the craving to tide you over for a little while.  

[cyclamen]

I agree - more protein and fat.  But I'm talking like.... lots of fat.  Way more than you would think.  :)

[filiadeluna]

I don't crave sweets, in particular, but I snack on fruit b/c it is healthy.  It's mostly dairy and meat I'm craving, which is bizarre to me to crave so badly b/c for 10 years of my life (not recently) I was a strict vegetarian.  LOL.  

[filiadeluna]

I am also nursing an 2-year-old (whom nurses frequently/more than she eats still), if that helps any.

[prancie]

Fruit is not necessarily healthy and should be eaten in moderation.  If you are overweight I would eat very little fruit.  You are craving dairy and meat because that is what your body needs!  Eat lots of meat on the bone and don't shy away from the fattier cuts, like short-ribs and oxtail. I would source raw dairy if I were you.  Fresh milk is unbeatable.

[lookatreestar]

yeah i do bubbies pickles when i am feeling snacky. and i too have a dislike for all things fishy/seafood. i take the capsules because i need the oil. (also coconut oil gives me a stomach ache) the caps are expensive but really iv'e lost like 5lbs after starting the capsules daily- because i wasn't constantly wanting to eat!! my sugar cravings were out of control too. i think my body was really craving the good fats (i also dislike avocado, don't drink milk etc) and i started taking minerals in my water. oh and i forgot i do get burps sometimes a few hours after the caps but honestly they don't taste fishy imo.

[lookatreestar]

Originally Posted by prancie 

Fruit is not necessarily healthy and should be eaten in moderation.  If you are overweight I would eat very little fruit.  You are craving dairy and meat because that is what your body needs!  Eat lots of meat on the bone and don't shy away from the fattier cuts, like short-ribs and oxtail. I would source raw dairy if I were you.  Fresh milk is unbeatable.

i just figured this out