Keto Diet: What to Do if You Are Constantly Hungry
One of the biggest reasons it’s so difficult to maintain a keto diet or any diet plan for that matter is due to it being a mental battle. People who have just started a keto diet might find themselves being constantly hungry because of the change in dietary intake.
First off, it’s completely normal to feel hungry all the time when you are on a keto diet. There could be a number of reasons why you are constantly hungry but part of it likely has to do with the fact that you are reducing your calorie intake. The goal of a keto diet is to replace carbohydrates with fat and protein-rich foods so the hunger effect may be more severe for those who enjoyed consuming carb-rich meals prior to starting the keto diet.
How to Manage Hunger While on a Keto Diet
There are a couple of steps you could take to try and not feel hungry all the time, especially if you are only a few days or few weeks into your diet. For absolute beginners, one important advice we would give is to consume the necessary amount of calories to satisfy your hunger. It’s better to make slow but gradual progress than to give up on the diet altogether because the stress from hunger is too much.
Drink More Water
It’s important to stay hydrated while you are on a keto diet. Dehydration is a common symptom of a keto diet and may cause issues like headaches, which you definitely don’t want in combination with the stress from hunger. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. It’s a simple but effective way to make you feel “full”.
Add in High-Calories Keto Food
Low-carb foods are generally nutrient-dense so don’t do a very good job of satisfying your hunger levels. We suggest researching and mixing in some keto foods that are known to have more calories, such as oils, coconut milk, avocados, macadamia nuts, and chicken with skin. As we advised earlier, don’t worry too much about your calorie intake in the first few weeks of the diet. Sooner than later, you will get into ketosis and the feeling of hunger will disappear.
Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep may also contribute to your feeling of hunger. Your body reacts to a lack of sleep by not producing enough hormones, such as leptin. This leads to an increase in other hormones like Ghrelin, which sends a signal to your brain to start feeling hungry! Getting enough sleep won’t just help solve your hunger issues, it will also make you feel less groggy in the morning.