Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've been on paleo for little less than 3 months now - living almost 100% with an occasional "fall of the wagon" moment here and there.

I workout 3-4 times a week - mostly crossfit mixed with some fitness boxing and weightlifting. I'm 5.8 tall, weigh 160lb and fat % around 11%.

I do 3 meals a day with snacks in between (almonds, bananas, red peppers etc.)

Here my problem - sometimes I get extremely hungry at night (9-10pm ish) even after consuming a giant dinner with loads of lean meat and veggies and the feeling of being absolutely full a couple of hours before.

I don't understand it - I thought it might have something to do with my glycogen levels are too low after a heavy workout, but the hunger also comes after days without exercise.

eating another meal when I get hungry at night do help. But I'd rather know why than just eating dinner twice - I do admit that the hunger sometimes turns into cravings for candy, cake and other poisons.

Have any of you experienced anything similar?

Cheers

flag	asked Jul 21 at 19:41 KLNGNBRG 21●2

PaleoOutfitters · Answer 1 · 2012-07-21 19:54:57Z UTC

Why lean meat? You need fat - animal fat especially. I call ahead to my butcher to order extra fatty cuts of grass-fed meats (because the regular cuts are way too lean).

The fat will help satiate you through the night.

You could also try a tablespoon of coconut butter when you get that nighttime craving (and it may also help you sleep).

Finally, (not my favorite option, as it's not food), you could try supplementing with some L-glutamine, which has been shown to cut cravings, especially sugar cravings.

Potato Avenger · Answer 2 · 2012-07-22 00:37:35Z UTC

I think you had it right with this: "I thought it might have something to do with my glycogen levels are too low." Throw some more carbohydrate into the mix. Roots & tubers are what you're after; broccoli and zucchini are not going to cut it.

The other option of course is what was mentioned above: animal fat.

People really don't seem to do very well without both saturated fat and starch. (And therein lies the fatal flaw of Loren Cordain's original 'Paleo Diet.')

CD · Answer 3 · 2012-07-21 21:33:58Z UTC

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If I get late cravings I typically reach for a piece of fruit, night time is a good time for fruit. The sugar crash happens as your CR drops, which prevents additional cravings.

answered Jul 21 at 21:33

CD
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SCUBABry · Answer 4 · 2012-07-22 00:09:07Z UTC

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I get hungry about 1 1/2 hours after dinner. My magic pill seems to be my ever present apple. It fills me up and it satisfying. Really works well.

answered Jul 22 at 0:09

SCUBABry
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Ninds · Answer 5 · 2012-07-22 21:34:28Z UTC

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Have a whey shake & a banana. Works brilliant for me.

answered Jul 22 at 21:34

Ninds
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Excessive hunger after dinner

5 Answers