Training & Nutrition - Incessant hunger?

For the past few weeks I've been feeling hungry all the time no matter what I eat. I'm a cross country runner but I've been cycling a lot for the past two weeks due to an achilles issue. I can't really identify what the cause of it might be because although I'm increasing my mileage/training during the summer this hasn't happened before when I've done mileage increases and my diet hasn't really changed at all in the past few years.... I eat a well-rounded diet: vegetables, carbs, meat, dairy and whatnot. This started before I began cycling regularly, so I don't believe it is related to that. Any thoughts?

I've had the same thing going on of late. So, I have reduced taking the recovery bars, gels, and simple carb drinks after a ride and have started making complex carb and protien meals for post ride food and notice a drop in hunger. I know those bars, gels, and sports drinks have alot of science behind them but I think sometimes it's a overdose of simple carbs. Yesterday after 70miles I had a glass of chocolate milk(my recovery drink), chicken breast and brown rice.

I seldom touch those things. The most I'll have is Gatorade every other day or so. I usually don't eat anything right after a workout though.... maybe that's it.

Try a glass of milk or oj with a scoop of whey protein to help recovery, and quench any hunger binges immediately following a ride. Just make sure your ride was more calories burned off than the drink is adding.

before discovering cytomax and using that as my primary recover drink and then a good meal i used to just drink a slim fast shake for recovery. worked ok. sometimes i would mix in a banana and maybe a scoop of peanut butter

I seldom touch those things. The most I'll have is Gatorade every other day or so. I usually don't eat anything right after a workout though.... maybe that's it.

Recovery nutrition is *really* important. I like endurox, but lots of people like chocolate milk.

Now, it's still possible that you just need to eat more.

Oh, and regular gatorade sucks. The powdered stuff and the endurance stuff is ok, though it's really too sweet.

Eat 6 times a day (smaller meals), and use Hammer HEED, or something else sugar free while riding. You should feel better and be less hungry.

i.e., you could continue with your normal diet, and eat half your breakfast at 7am and half at 9am, half your lunch at 11am and half at 1pm, half your dinner at 3pm, and half at 6pm. That did the trick for me.

Make sure you are not thirsty. I had a similar problem and then figured out I was dehydrated. Drink water and then more water.

The more carbs I eat, the more frequent and intense my hunger

you have to change the way you eat. i recently went to a nutritionist to get advice on an issue similar to this. this is what she told me (the general stuff at least):


eat many small meals a day. every 3-4 hours you should be eating something.

high carb meals are best right after workouts.

eat dark multigrain breads.

fruits, vegetables, and nuts should be well represented in the diet.

fish 1 to 2 times per week or more, and if you can't do that consider looking at a fish oil supplement.

make sure to get protein. eat plenty of lean meats, but don't always shy away from red meat.

The more carbs I eat, the more frequent and intense my hunger

Sounds like your body is protein-based like mine. I'm actually dying for a 16-ounce steak right NOW. :eek:

in all seriousness, i chew gum to help fight the cravings. www.stridegum.com is my current favorite.

in all seriousness, i chew gum to help fight the cravings. www.stridegum.com is my current favorite.

why would you want to fight the cravings? your body is telling you something important when you feel hungry. you should probably eat a little something...maybe some mixed nuts instead of the gum?

why would you want to fight the cravings? your body is telling you something important when you feel hungry. you should probably eat a little something...maybe some mixed nuts instead of the gum?

it's not so simple as that and my fitness goals may be different than your own. I was simply speaking to the OP about how I fight the cravings.

it's not so simple as that and my fitness goals may be different than your own. I was simply speaking to the OP about how I fight the cravings.

fair enough. i'm sorry i asked you a question on something that was puzzling to me.

For the past few weeks I've been feeling hungry all the time no matter what I eat. I'm a cross country runner but I've been cycling a lot for the past two weeks due to an achilles issue. I can't really identify what the cause of it might be because although I'm increasing my mileage/training during the summer this hasn't happened before when I've done mileage increases and my diet hasn't really changed at all in the past few years.... I eat a well-rounded diet: vegetables, carbs, meat, dairy and whatnot. This started before I began cycling regularly, so I don't believe it is related to that. Any thoughts?What kind of mileage are we talking about? Weekly and daily? Have you been losing, maintaining or gaining weight?

i'm sorry i asked you a question on something that was puzzling to me.

You were stating your opinion under the guise of a question.

If I ate every time I felt hungry, I'd never stop eating, because I'm never *not* hungry. :) This is fine in the winter when I'm trying to build muscle and can use the extra bf to keep warm while commuting. This time of year, not so much.

that's all... wasn't trying to come off hostile or anything.