Is there a standard BG level which triggers hunger?

Tropo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 04:38 PM

I was thinking today about the hunger mechanism in the brain.

As I indicated on a previous thread, my BG levels seldom drop below 100, and that's usually after intense exercise (90 -120 minutes) and even then it's usually in the high 90's. A few weeks ago I had a long swim (2 hours/4.5 km freestyle) before breakfast and even then my BG was at 102!

I find I can go fairly long periods of time without eating and it usually takes a few hours after waking before I feel hungry.

I mentioned that my FBG level upon waking is almost always above 110 and usually in the 110-120 range.

My question to all you knowedgeable people here is this:

Is there a fixed level of BG that triggers hunger, or is it an individual thing?

Do most of you eat before you are hungry?

Ronin · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:03 PM

Hi Tropo!

How would you define "hunger?" As a cyclist I have learned that by the time the signaling system registers hunger, it's too late. All of the sudden I'm lethargic, even shaky and often sweating.

Perhaps I have adult onset OCD, but I have a pretty strict schedule and fairly strict diet and exercise schedule. I cannot say when the last time was when I really felt "hungry."

Your pre-breakfast swim was probably okay and you probably did not feel hunger because your body used the stored glycogen in your liver and fat cells. I don't know your body specifics but you are probably like most folks and have more than sufficient stores of glycogen to go for a few days without eating.

The problem with waiting until you are hungry is that when you do eat you become ravenous and whatever diet you may have planned goes out the window and you over eat.

As others have said before your BG levels are not really all that bad by common standards (you haven't been studying Berstein by chance -- have you?) I seem to remember that you had an A1c done and the reading was in the mid 5% range -- that is fine if you are really a Pre-D.

All I can counsel is calming down. I know that is very difficult -- I was in the same emotional place you are now a while back.

While you want to control your BG levels you also have to live your life. Do you still enjoy swimming, the foods you eat, your time with friends and co-workers, are you generally pleased with life? If not, you are probably over stressing. There is more to life than numbers on a spreadsheet that record your BG levels.

Tropo · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 07:01 PM

I'm probably your opposite in that my eating, sleeping and exercise times vary greatly from day to day. I've always been like this, so it's a habit that I'm not likely to break anytime soon.

I like to eat when I'm feeling hungry...not ravenous, just really in the mood to eat something. I don't have a problem with overeating when I'm hungry as I can control myself well.

When I'm exercising I won't ever feel hungry, but I usually plan my meals to coincide with my workouts so that I can get through about 2 hours without getting hungry. If I did get hungry (quite rare), I'd start burning fat which would only be good for me lol.

I haven't yet had the A1c test, but will get around to that probably later this month. I want to wait until 120 days after I started my new exercise regimen.

tanyatype1 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 09:19 PM

Hi Tropo. I usually feel hunger pains when I'm low. Sometimes when my stomach is growling, I'll check my BG before eating. If I'm low then I'll just eat a glucose tablet, but if my BG's are good then I'll assume that my stomach's growling because it's truly needing food! I think this is how some people gain weight - they eat when they're low, not just when they're truly hungry.

Harold · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 02:37 AM

Yes, there is, it just changes so fast you will never know what it is.

DeusXM · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 03:24 AM

To be honest, hunger is less to do with your BG and more to do with your nutritional needs and stomach capacity.

Generally once you get into hypo territory you will feel hungry, since adrenaline is an appetite stimulant. But really your BG level won't have much of an effect on your hunger. You can be hungry at any BG level, because when you eat, your food does far more than affect your blood sugar. If you need more calories in you, you'll be hungry. If you're needing certain nutrients, you'll be hungry. If your body's used to eating at a certain time, you'll be hungry.

cheryl · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 06:01 AM

I don't know honestly but if I am way high I feel hungry and if I am really low, I get extremely hungry......

At this time in my life I am always hungry, maybe I am missing something or maybe mine is psychogical.....because I kind of hate not just eating when I want to without wondering if all this and that is gonna happen...

Cheryl

Ronin · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 06:28 AM

Hi Tropo!

Regarding A1c's. I've always been mystified by the argument you used: "...I want to wait until 120 days after I started my new exercise regimen." It is nice to see what the exercise regimine has done but what is your baseline?

Tropo · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronin

Hi Tropo!

Regarding A1c's. I've always been mystified by the argument you used: "...I want to wait until 120 days after I started my new exercise regimen." It is nice to see what the exercise regimine has done but what is your baseline?

Yes, I can understand your comment.

In my case I'm too late to find a baseline. I had a 4 month lazy period until 30 June (no exercise at all) when I restarted my exercise program. If I tested my A1c too early, then it would be a mixed result and of no use to me. It's better I wait to see my result over a period of exercise which is more normal for me.

Tropo · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeusXM

To be honest, hunger is less to do with your BG and more to do with your nutritional needs and stomach capacity.

Generally once you get into hypo territory you will feel hungry, since adrenaline is an appetite stimulant. But really your BG level won't have much of an effect on your hunger. You can be hungry at any BG level, because when you eat, your food does far more than affect your blood sugar. If you need more calories in you, you'll be hungry. If you're needing certain nutrients, you'll be hungry. If your body's used to eating at a certain time, you'll be hungry.

Thanks Deus, that clears it up nicely. It would seem there's no definitive correlation between BG and hunger and it does vary a lot from person to person and that the mechanism of hunger is extremely complex.