Exhausted and hungry all the time

[Aranyadevi]

Hi, I'm on day 17 and I believe I have stuck to all the rules 100%. I am completely exhausted all the time and also very hungry usually about half an hour after each meal. I also look like I'm gaining weight. Is this normal? I'm pescatarian and have branched out to some other types of seafood as well. I also have a little fruit every day (half and apple or a few strawberries), lots of nuts and nut butter and eggs (and of course lots of vegetables) . I have tried eating more meals but honestly I don't always have time for that much cooking! I'm just wondering if others are feeling the same way? I thought by now I should feel energetic but I honestly have never felt this bad for this long.

[ShannonM816]

It isn't normal to be exhausted and hungry all the time. My guess is you are probably not eating enough at each meal, or perhaps you're just not composing your meals well to keep you satisfied.

You mention nuts and nut butters -- those are fat sources for Whole30 purposes, not protein sources.

You should be eating three meals a day, plus pre- and post-workout meals as necessary. Make each of your three meals meet the meal template, and if you need to eat between meals because you are truly hungry, have a mini-meal of protein, fat, and vegetables, or at least two of the three.

Specifically, each meal should contain 1-2 palm-sized portions of protein the length, width, and height of the palm of your hand, or if eggs are your protein in a meal, have as many whole eggs as you can hold in one hand, which is probably 3-4; 1-2 thumb-sized portions of fat, or 1-2 heaping handfuls of olives or coconut flakes, or half to a whole avocado, or 4-7 oz of coconut milk, or a small, closed handful of nuts or seeds; and then fill the plate with vegetables -- 1-3 cups, aiming for three cups at most meals. Most people feel best with at least one fist-sized serving of starchy vegetable each day (potato, sweet potato, winter squashes, root vegetables). Drink at least 1/2 oz of water per pound of body weight, so a 120-lb person needs at least 60 oz. Salt your food enough that it tastes good (you do need some salt, and lack of salt can make you feel tired).

If you want feedback on your specific meals, feel free to list what you've eaten on a typical day or two, including approximate portion sizes, and let us know if you're exercising and what, if anything, you're having for pre- and post-workout meals.