is my body telling me it wants junk food?

Cody Pomeray

I am a fairly fit, healthy 25 year old; I run to college and work, and I gym 3-4 times per week. I'm the right weight for my height, or maybe on the lighter margin.

I go through phases of cutting all junk food out of my diet -no chocolate, no microwave food in the evenings, no pizza, and no sugary snacks, and have wine with dinner less often.

Lately I've noticed that when I cut down on these things, and replace them with fruit, salads and home cooking, my skin gets drier, my energy levels drop and my face looks tired, and after my most recent 'detox' I even started getting hives.

This sounds totally ridiculous to me, except someone mentioned to me that I looked rundown recently, and that was the last straw. I don't understand what I could be doing wrong. I'm eating 5 fruit a day, I'm eating couscous and chargrilled vegetables and drinking smoothies for snacks and bringing healthy lunches to work, and the moment I go back to microwave lasagnes and ice cream for desserts my body seems to recover.

Am I totally imagining this? Is this some weird psychological illusion, or has anyone else gone through this?

Stench Blossoms

Post up your diet.

You mentioned smoothies and healthy in the same sentence so I'm going to guess your idea of healthy is a bit flawed.

syklops

and the moment I go back to microwave lasagnes and ice cream for desserts my body seems to recover.

How long is it between the start of your detox period and the moment you go back to microwave lasagne?

As Stench says post up a standard "healthy" days diet.

speedy2007

Have you got enough fat in your diet? Fruit and veg are healthy but are lacking in fat (apart form avocado).

chriity139

When you cut out your junk food your calories might be under maintenance which might have something to do with it. Try increasing your calories.

As for the hives you might be allergic to some fruit or something your eating as a substitute for junk food

neckedit

Are you drinking enough water, getting enough essential fats, protien?? Junk foods have very little nutritional benifits, as Im sure your well aware. But i feel the chopping and changing your diet may be an issue too....its all about balance I believe.

Dark Phoenix

Have you tried gradually reducing the amount of junk food and introducing the healthier food? A sudden sharp change might be too much for your body. Re the hives it sounds like you may have an allergy to something - I used to get them if I ate too many strawberries! Keep track of when that happens and what you have eaten and you might see a pattern.

In terms of looking run down maybe your healthier diet does not have enough fat an energy? also if its high in fruit it will be high in sugar too which may cause problems. if you posted up the diet the experts on here would be able to advise you

syklops

This sounds totally ridiculous to me, except someone mentioned to me that I looked rundown recently, and that was the last straw. I don't understand what I could be doing wrong. I'm eating 5 fruit a day, I'm eating couscous and chargrilled vegetables and drinking smoothies for snacks and bringing healthy lunches to work,

No mention of any meat. Couscous and chagrilled vegetables is not a dinner.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

If you have cut out calorie dense foods with calorie light foods and are exercising as you post it is quite possible you are not getting enough calories in. A small deficit over time causes fatigue etc. Maybe try supplementation with a protein shake or eat more.

Cody Pomeray

syklops wrote: »

How long is it between the start of your detox period and the moment you go back to microwave lasagne?

It varies. This time around I started back on my 'detox' when college term started, around mid September. I stayed in bed till 11am this morning, which is very late for me, and it's now 11pm and I'm totally wrecked. I don't think this is normal for an ostensibly healthy 25 year old.

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Post up your diet.

You mentioned smoothies and healthy in the same sentence so I'm going to guess your idea of healthy is a bit flawed.

I mean the smoothies I blend at home the night before, and made from fruit and no junk! They're grand right?


Sorry I know we're not supposed to post food diaries but this is typical example.
________________________________________________________


7am: run/ cycle to college, home made smoothie, porridge occasionally, and 3-4 days a week will gym after it.
10am: either go to work and have a sandwich & fruit, or if staying in college, go down to breakfast for yoghurt, grain and fruit.
1pm/ 2pm: lunch: home cooked vegetables and fruit, often yoghurt, maybe a protein bar
5/ 7pmpm:pasta/ cous cous & veg/ rice with prawns curry/ something with chicken.

The rest of the evening, and any snacks through the day I have fruit, some wine, the odd protein shake.

________________________________________________________


This rough guide seems like it's adequate. And yet I'm constantly wrecked. I know it's not necessarily a diet issue, but when I mix in the junk food I really do feel more energetic, this is extremely dis-spiriting, but I feel like I'm getting lots of carbs, fibre and protein for my activity, what am I doing wrong

Lux23

You're not eating enough, simple as that.

2Mad2BeMad

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

It varies. This time around I started back on my 'detox' when college term started, around mid September. I stayed in bed till 11am this morning, which is very late for me, and it's now 11pm and I'm totally wrecked. I don't think this is normal for an ostensibly healthy 25 year old.

I mean the smoothies I blend at home the night before, and made from fruit and no junk! They're grand right?


Sorry I know we're not supposed to post food diaries but this is typical example.
________________________________________________________


7am: run/ cycle to college, home made smoothie, porridge occasionally, and 3-4 days a week will gym after it.
10am: either go to work and have a sandwich & fruit, or if staying in college, go down to breakfast for yoghurt, grain and fruit.
1pm/ 2pm: lunch: home cooked vegetables and fruit, often yoghurt, maybe a protein bar
5/ 7pmpm:pasta/ cous cous & veg/ rice with prawns curry/ something with chicken.

The rest of the evening, and any snacks through the day I have fruit, some wine, the odd protein shake.

________________________________________________________


This rough guide seems like it's adequate. And yet I'm constantly wrecked. I know it's not necessarily a diet issue, but when I mix in the junk food I really do feel more energetic, this is extremely dis-spiriting, but I feel like I'm getting lots of carbs, fibre and protein for my activity, what am I doing wrong

whats your height and weight if you don't mind me asking?

Your either not getting enough calories or not getting enough fat, or both
also regarding hives, you could be just allergic to something , so I'd get that checked first, no point going on a diet if your eating something that could kill you younger:pac:

regarding protein shakes, you should only have 2-3 a day, one before gym, one straight after, then one later on in the day ( not nessecery but you can... )
get that whay protein, all they do really is repair your muscle,and give you protein, also some energy obviously. If theirs a day or two your not going the gym, cut out these protein shakes, or only have one, as it will save you money and energy/protein been wasted on muscles that are already repaired from previous days workouts, change it to fish(has good protein and will actually give you a full stomach) or chicken, something that can add to calories better or fat better, ya don't need to eat take away foods to add fat, just make sure your eating food that has fat in it, other wise all your working out and healthy diet will be for nothing, you'll feel worse with out a decent size amount of fat in you, less energy , real skinny and unhealthy looking.
thats the reason I'm asking for your height and weight, theirs calculators online to say how much fat you have comparing your weight and height,(or should have)

never understood why people have if their not working out, it does absolutely nothing for them if theirs no exercise involved during the day.

other then that your diet seems pretty healthy to me, everyones body is different, how long do you go off the snacks and fatty take away foods?

neckedit

I am far from an expert, but to me it looks like very little protein and overall low on calories.....no fuel...no energy.
Nuts are great fillers and great for snacking on, good mix of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber,

syklops

7am: run/ cycle to college, home made smoothie, porridge occasionally, and 3-4 days a week will gym after it.
10am: either go to work and have a sandwich & fruit, or if staying in college, go down to breakfast for yoghurt, grain and fruit.
1pm/ 2pm: lunch: home cooked vegetables and fruit, often yoghurt, maybe a protein bar
5/ 7pmpm:pasta/ cous cous & veg/ rice with prawns curry/ something with chicken.

Have you got something against eating meat? 5-7pm Something with chicken seems to be the first bit of meat you eat in the day. Also no mention of eggs.

How far is the run/cycle to college?

TBH, For someone going to the gym 3-4 times a week you need to read up on nutrition. Maybe skip a session this week to read the stickies in this Forum?

Cody Pomeray

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

whats your height and weight if you don't mind me asking?

60kg, 5'9'' (BMI= 20)

syklops wrote: »

Have you got something against eating meat? 5-7pm Something with chicken seems to be the first bit of meat you eat in the day. Also no mention of eggs.

How far is the run/cycle to college?

I have nothing against eggs, I just leave a little early to be cooking breakfast. I might try have eggs instead of eating breakfast in college alright.

I am not a big meat eater, but when I don't have chicken or fish for dinner, I will have a protein bar or a protein shake, or both.

I eat until I am full, and it seems to me all the necessary components of a healthy diet are there. I just cannot understand why this isn;t working.

hefferboi

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

60kg, 5'9'' (BMI= 20)

I have nothing against eggs, I just leave a little early to be cooking breakfast. I might try have eggs instead of eating breakfast in college alright.

I am not a big meat eater, but when I don't have chicken or fish for dinner, I will have a protein bar or a protein shake, or both.

are you a male or female? I'm a male, 73kg, 5 9" and I'm thin so if your only 60 you must be very small!

Stheno

To give you a comparison from someone who tried the same, I suspect you are getting too MUCH sugar from fruit etc, going by what you've posted up.

I'm 5 eight and about 65 kilos and was looking to eat more heathily recently so swapped out a lot of my diet. I don't eat breakfast, and worked out I needed about 2500 calories per day.

I was eating:

Breakfast: 16 oz latte/banana
Lunch: Salad, a full chicken breast, a boiled egg, 30g of cheese, and lots of different veg along with another latte. Veg included lettuce, peppers, tomotoes, cucumbers
Snacks: Brazil nuts/lattes/chocolate bar
Dinner: Fish or chicken with veg

Even on that with analysis on fitday etc I was consuming too much sugar so I cut some of the sugar out and it made me feel better. You've a lot of sugar in your diet (natural mind you) with all the fruit

Cody Pomeray

hefferboi wrote: »

are you a male or female? I'm a male, 73kg, 5 9" and I'm thin so if your only 60 you must be very small!

I'm male, but am not a big framed guy by nature, and although not 'bulky' 60kgs looks alright for me, by physical appearance. I think I look healthy like.

Stheno wrote: »

To give you a comparison from someone who tried the same, I suspect you are getting too MUCH sugar from fruit etc, going by what you've posted up.

I'm 5 eight and about 65 kilos and was looking to eat more heathily recently so swapped out a lot of my diet. I don't eat breakfast, and worked out I needed about 2500 calories per day.

I was eating:

Breakfast: 16 oz latte/banana
Lunch: Salad, a full chicken breast, a boiled egg, 30g of cheese, and lots of different veg along with another latte. Veg included lettuce, peppers, tomotoes, cucumbers
Snacks: Brazil nuts/lattes/chocolate bar
Dinner: Fish or chicken with veg

Even on that with analysis on fitday etc I was consuming too much sugar so I cut some of the sugar out and it made me feel better. You've a lot of sugar in your diet (natural mind you) with all the fruit

That's interesting, if there was one thing I was suspicious about it was the fruit. I'm writing a thesis at the moment and i sit at a desk pretty long hours, and as well as that I had an accident earlier in the year after which I could hardly get around and all this started happening, so maybe the fruit intake is a good one to reconsider?

syklops

Code Pomeray wrote:

I have nothing against eggs, I just leave a little early to be cooking breakfast. I might try have eggs instead of eating breakfast in college alright.

Can you post up you're unhealthy diet as well for comparison? Do you eat breakfast when not detoxing?

Eggs are one of the fastest things to have in the morning. Scrambled eggs being IMO the fastest, aside from boiled eggs which you cook the night before, or on a Sunday evening in a batch. Have you a microwave? You can get this yolk* for boiling eggs in the microwave. takes about 3 minutes to do 2.







*:pac:

Stheno

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

I'm male, but am not a big framed guy by nature, and although not 'bulky' 60kgs looks alright for me, by physical appearance. I think I look healthy like.

That's interesting, if there was one thing I was suspicious about it was the fruit. I'm writing a thesis at the moment and i sit at a desk pretty long hours, and as well as that I had an accident earlier in the year after which I could hardly get around and all this started happening, so maybe the fruit intake is a good one to reconsider?

I know guys your height who weigh less and are incredibly fit and healthy so I wouldn't be too focussed on that. However at my height and weight as a female, I'm a size eight and would be considered to be very slim

I'd probably get rid of a lot of that fruit if I were you, you can make smoothies with veg, swap out the fruit for good veg (peppers, green veg, carrots e.g.)

It doesn't sound like you are a very active person, I work in a job where I am on my feet/moving around sixty percent of the time, and I exercise at least three times a week so my cals are different to yours, and my goal is to build muscle, but I found that by eliminating sugar I felt more stable.

That said I'm no expert it was what worked for me, I work in a job where it's rare for me to be in the same place for more than a couple of days, and I can be working remotely in hotels and eating in hotels, so I regulate what I eat in that regard. I'd suggest more protein (the coffee addiction is a killer for me) less sugar and more complex carbs, swap that sandwich for a salad, it really is not that hard to make a lot of your food and bring it with you.

Mellor

From the OP it was fairly obvious you were undereating.
If you were eating junk, but were still skinny portions sizes are obviously small, switching to "healthy", without massive portion increases means you are way under on calories. Unlike somebody who is overweight, you haven't got an amble fat store to use for energy. The result is quite literally a lack of energy, which explains how you feel. The body is using every bit of energy it can for essential functions, so non essential functions get put on hold - so hair and skin looks goes to crap, you probably look a bit sick.

A return to junk food gives lots of extra energy, so the body can fix these two issue. Which is what is giving you the wrong impression.

A proper diet to avoid all of this.

7am:fruit, porridge occasionally,
10am: sandwich & fruit, or yoghurt, grain and fruit.
1pm/ 2pm:vegetables and fruit, often yoghurt, maybe a protein bar
5/7pm:pasta/ grain & veg/ rice with prawns curry/ something with chicken.

That's your diet simplified.
You first three meals are essentially the same.
Fruit/veg and a yogurt. Maybe some carbs (oats, bread, grain).
The dinner isn't much different, veg and a carb. Maybe some chicken.

I feel like I'm getting lots of carbs, fibre and protein for my activity, what am I doing wrong

You are getting some carbs (depending on which fruit and veg you eat) and probably enough fibre, but very little protein and no fat.
The chicken and protein bars are the only protein sources, and they aren;t every everyday. So your only consistent protein is the amounts as by-products of the veg and grains.

JohnnyChimpo

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

60kg, 5'9'' (BMI= 20)

I have nothing against eggs, I just leave a little early to be cooking breakfast. I might try have eggs instead of eating breakfast in college alright.

You can lash 10 eggs into a pan of boiling water for 12-14 minutes on a Sunday night, then cool them in a pan of cold water for a fe wminutes and stick them in the fridge. Boom hard boiled eggs for a week, have 2 in the morning or bring them with you. Also mozarella or tubs of cottage cheese cost about 50c each in LIDL and are deadly sources of filling protein.

You should probably track your calories honestly on myfitnesspal.com for a few weeks and see how far you're undereating for your goals.

ectoraige

I'm a disaster in the mornings, but I've managed to fit a freshly boiled egg into my routine. I leave one in the saucepan the night before, and turn the hob on first thing. By the time I've showered and dressed the egg is ready. And I really am a disaster in the morning.

JohnnyChimpo

ectoraige wrote: »

I'm a disaster in the mornings, but I've managed to fit a freshly boiled egg into my routine. I leave one in the saucepan the night before, and turn the hob on first thing. By the time I've showered and dressed the egg is ready. And I really am a disaster in the morning.

Me too, but I know it so I don't leave anything to chance in the morning and make anything I want to bring the night before. Then no matter how lazy I am I can always manage to open the fridge door and grab whatever's waiting for me. Also a big ole protein shake in the morning pretty much sets me up until noon.

Stench Blossoms

Way too much fruit. Where's the veg?

You're diet is not really healthy at all and as other have said you are under eating.

Have you had a read of the stickies here?

kilkenny12

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Way too much fruit. Where's the veg?

You're diet is not really healthy at all and as other have said you are under eating.

Have you had a read of the stickies here?

I don't think fruit is bad for you, how is he getting too much???

Fruit sugar is not refined sugar. Fruit is good for you.

Mr. CooL ICE

OP, it seems like you created your diet from relying on the food pyramid. FYI, the food pyramid is a load of debunked sh1te.

Rather than elaborating on it, just read the stickies. Loads of great info there.

Stench Blossoms

kilkenny12 wrote: »

I don't think fruit is bad for you, how is he getting too much???

Fruit sugar is not refined sugar. Fruit is good for you.

Too much of anything is bad for you. Fruit doesn't keep you full. Most of it is low calories as well and its obvious the OP is not eating enough.

LordSutch

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

is my body telling me it wants junk food?

I say satisfy your craving and go for it big time! Pig out on Maccy D's or Bks, or whatever for a massive carb fest, then wake up the next day and drink loads of water and stick to protein (only) for 48 hours. This should re-set your metabolism.

Then follow your chosen balanced diet..

Greenmachine

Mellor wrote: »

From the OP it was fairly obvious you were undereating.
If you were eating junk, but were still skinny portions sizes are obviously small, switching to "healthy", without massive portion increases means you are way under on calories. Unlike somebody who is overweight, you haven't got an amble fat store to use for energy. The result is quite literally a lack of energy, which explains how you feel. The body is using every bit of energy it can for essential functions, so non essential functions get put on hold - so hair and skin looks goes to crap, you probably look a bit sick.

A return to junk food gives lots of extra energy, so the body can fix these two issue. Which is what is giving you the wrong impression.

A proper diet to avoid all of this.




That's your diet simplified.
You first three meals are essentially the same.
Fruit/veg and a yogurt. Maybe some carbs (oats, bread, grain).
The dinner isn't much different, veg and a carb. Maybe some chicken.


You are getting some carbs (depending on which fruit and veg you eat) and probably enough fibre, but very little protein and no fat.
The chicken and protein bars are the only protein sources, and they aren;t every everyday. So your only consistent protein is the amounts as by-products of the veg and grains.

Your assumption that he is lean just because light is the only thing I would question in your post. Other than would agree.

syklops

kilkenny12 wrote: »

I don't think fruit is bad for you, how is he getting too much???

Fruit sugar is not refined sugar. Fruit is good for you.

Water is good for you. How can you get too much? Well by drowning for a start.

Same logic.

Cody Pomeray

Thanks everyone for your helpful comments, lots of great material there to build on and ideas to use. I'll also have a proper read of the stickies now.

Mellor wrote: »

From the OP it was fairly obvious you were undereating.
If you were eating junk, but were still skinny portions sizes are obviously small, switching to "healthy", without massive portion increases means you are way under on calories. Unlike somebody who is overweight, you haven't got an amble fat store to use for energy. The result is quite literally a lack of energy, which explains how you feel. The body is using every bit of energy it can for essential functions, so non essential functions get put on hold - so hair and skin looks goes to crap, you probably look a bit sick.

A return to junk food gives lots of extra energy, so the body can fix these two issue. Which is what is giving you the wrong impression.

A proper diet to avoid all of this.

When I see this written in black and white it makes perfect sense, and it's slightly embarrassing that I didn't come to this awareness by myself!

In my defence I presumed I was getting enough fat because of the sugars in the fruit. I know fat isn't exactly synonymous with sugar, but they convert back and forth pretty easily right, so I don't think that's unreasonable?

Although my diet is a bit directionless, could the same not be said of most people who don't really suffer any energy problems? I mentioned my diet problem to a work colleague today, who casually remarked
"Oh yeah I never eat fruit".
-Never?
-"Never, I just don't like it".

Are some people more sensitive to dietary balances than others?

Because while my diet is obviously lacking, it doesn't seem to be a crashingly mortal sin, does it, and yet the effects are reasonably dramatic? And some people who make (perhaps) bigger omissions, like basic vitamins and fibre, seem to get on grand.

Alf Veedersane

It's not an exact science. If you read the stickies and follow some of the advice on what you're not getting into you at the minute, things might improve. But you're right, other people miss out on certain things like fruit. But they might eat more veg or satisfy their nutritional needs in other ways, despite themselves. I wouldn't worry about what other people do or don't do. Just try to get a healthy balance, as per the advice in the stickies, and you should see things improve. But your body certainly isn't telling you to eat processed sh*te :-D

syklops

Although my diet is a bit directionless, could the same not be said of most people who don't really suffer any energy problems? I mentioned my diet problem to a work colleague today, who casually remarked
"Oh yeah I never eat fruit".
-Never?
-"Never, I just don't like it".

Are some people more sensitive to dietary balances than others?

Because while my diet is obviously lacking, it doesn't seem to be a crashingly mortal sin, does it, and yet the effects are reasonably dramatic? And some people who make (perhaps) bigger omissions, like basic vitamins and fibre, seem to get on grand.

I rarely eat fruit. Very rarely.

I do however chop 7,8,9 different veg into a stir fry which I have 1-2 times a week(sometimes more). I have chicken salad with eggs for lunch almost every day. I regularly have eggs for breakfast. I eat a lot of meat. Just because I don't eat fruit, does not mean I am lacking in basic vitamins.

You are basically crash dieting.

Read the stickies. /thread

kilkenny12

syklops wrote: »

Water is good for you. How can you get too much? Well by drowning for a start.

Same logic.

What a silly analogy.

dipdip

You need fats. Introduce good fat to every meal. Avocado, olive oil, nuts, nut butters. Cook with olive oil and butter. Everything about you will brighten up and you will not gain weight.

n1ck

I'm 5'10" and I used to be 60kg.. I looked anorexic!

syklops

kilkenny12 wrote: »

What a silly analogy.

You said:

Kilkenny12 wrote:

I don't think fruit is bad for you, how is he getting too much???

Fruit sugar is not refined sugar. Fruit is good for you.

Its completely the same analogy.

kilkenny12

syklops wrote: »

You said:



Its completely the same analogy.

There's a big difference between drinking a lot of water and inhaling it so it gets into your lungs and drowning. Ridiculous.

Too much of 1 type of fruit may be bad for you. If you eat a few different types, you can eat as much fruit as you want.

I'm not even going to start an argument on this, i'm out.

syklops

kilkenny12 wrote: »

There's a big difference between drinking a lot of water and inhaling it so it gets into your lungs and drowning. Ridiculous.

Too much of 1 type of fruit may be bad for you. If you eat a few different types, you can eat as much fruit as you want.

I'm not even going to start an argument on this, i'm out.

Oh good.

OP, read the stickies.

Mellor

Greenmachine wrote: »

Your assumption that he is lean just because light is the only thing I would question in your post. Other than would agree.

I never said he was lean. I said he was skinny.
His body fat could be anywhere lean to skinny-fat, but its not going to be too high when he is 60kg at 5'9".

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

In my defence I presumed I was getting enough fat because of the sugars in the fruit. I know fat isn't exactly synonymous with sugar, but they convert back and forth pretty easily right, so I don't think that's unreasonable?

There's no fat is fruit. You need dietary fat.
It's actually completely unreasonable to think sugar will fill this gap.
The body is pretty efficient, is not going to waste energy convert sugar to fat when is can use the sugar directly for energy. Why would it.
You body converts sugar to fat for storage as an absolute last resort. It's pretty uncommon for you body to do this, even when overeating. When you are undereating, it will never happen as it would make you starve quicker.

Because while my diet is obviously lacking, it doesn't seem to be a crashingly mortal sin, does it, and yet the effects are reasonably dramatic? And some people who make (perhaps) bigger omissions, like basic vitamins and fibre, seem to get on grand.

The problem is you are assuming that vitamins are fibre are bigger omissions. They aren't. Energy is the single most important reason to eat. Undereating will make you sick quicker than any vitamin deficiency. Fat is more necessary than any single vitamin. Protein is also essential for healthy growth, repair, skin, hair etc.