hungry despite raw veg: Mechanical Stretch vs. Nutrient-Based Satiety

 could it be that raw vegetables create a strange uncomfortable feeling in the stomach that the brain might somehow mistake for hunger even though the stomach is not empty but full of raw vegetables

ChatGPT:

Yes, absolutely! Raw vegetables can cause bloating, discomfort, or a sense of "emptiness" in the stomach, even when physically full. This can happen for several reasons:

1. High Fiber Content – Raw vegetables contain a lot of fiber, which takes time to digest and can create gas or mild irritation in the stomach. This sensation can sometimes be misinterpreted as hunger.

2. Volume vs. Calories – Raw vegetables take up a lot of space but provide very few calories. Your stomach may feel full, but your body might still signal hunger if it’s not getting enough energy.

3. Enzymes & Acidity – Some raw vegetables (like cucumbers, tomatoes, and cruciferous veggies) can slightly increase stomach acid or create mild irritation, which can feel like hunger.

4. Delayed Satiety Signals – The digestive process for raw veggies is slower than for cooked foods, and the brain may take longer to register true satiety, leading to a false sense of hunger.

👉 Potential Solutions:

• Try eating cooked vegetables instead of raw to see if the sensation changes.
• Add a small amount of protein or fat to meals with raw veggies to increase satisfaction.
• Chew slowly and observe whether the sensation passes after 20–30 minutes.

Would you say this feeling happens shortly after eating raw vegetables, or does it build up over time?

Du:

i feel hungry before and while and shortly after and even 20 minutes after eating raw veg

ChatGPT:

That definitely sounds like your body is misinterpreting signals. Since the feeling persists before, during, and after eating raw vegetables, here are a few possible explanations and solutions:

Why This Might Be Happening:

1. Raw Vegetables Digest Slowly but Don’t Provide Immediate Energy

   • They take up space but don’t deliver quick energy or satiety signals to the brain.
   • Your body may still be waiting for protein, fats, or starches to feel satisfied.

2. Your Stomach Might Be Reacting to the Fiber & Bulk

   • Some people experience mild irritation from large amounts of raw fiber, which can feel like "emptiness" or "hunger."
   • The mechanical stretch of the stomach from raw veggies is different from the satiety signals triggered by calorie-dense foods.

3. Blood Sugar & Insulin Response

   • If your meal is mostly raw veggies without enough protein, fat, or slow-digesting carbs, your blood sugar might not stabilize properly.
   • This can lead to persistent "hunger-like" signals, even if your stomach is physically full.

What You Can Try:

✅ Switch to more cooked vegetables – They are easier to digest, cause less bloating, and may eliminate the false hunger signal.
✅ Eat raw vegetables with protein & fat – Try pairing them with eggs, nuts, avocado, cheese, or meat to help with satiety.
✅ Add a small portion of starch – A little bit of potato, rice, or a slice of whole grain bread might help balance out your satiety signals.
✅ Slow down eating & check real hunger – Eat raw veggies more slowly and see if you still feel hungry 30–40 minutes later.

Do you notice the same effect when eating cooked vegetables, or is this only happening with raw ones?

Du:

could you tell me more aboutthis bullet point : The mechanical stretch of the stomach from raw veggies is different from the satiety signals triggered by calorie-dense foods.

ChatGPT:

Yes! This is a fascinating aspect of digestion and satiety. Let’s break it down:

1. Mechanical Stretch vs. Nutrient-Based Satiety

Your body has two main ways to feel full:

✅ Mechanical Stretch (Volume-Based Satiety)

• Your stomach has stretch receptors that detect physical fullness.
• Raw vegetables are bulky and full of water and fiber, so they physically fill your stomach without providing much energy.
• This stretch may temporarily signal to your brain that you’re “full,” but if nutrients (protein, fat, carbs) are missing, your body may keep sending hunger signals.

✅ Nutrient-Based Satiety (Calorie-Dense Satiety)

• The body doesn’t just rely on stretch; it also looks for calories, macronutrients, and digestion speed.
• Protein & fat trigger long-term satiety hormones like CCK (cholecystokinin) and PYY, which tell your brain, “I’ve had enough.”
• Carbs (especially fiber-free, quick-digesting ones) can temporarily reduce hunger by raising blood sugar.

2. Why Raw Vegetables Might Confuse Your Brain

• Raw veggies create a fast and strong stomach stretch, but they don’t provide quick or dense calories.
• Your brain expects nutrient absorption after stomach expansion, but with raw veggies, it gets bulk without energy, leading to lingering hunger.
• This is why you might feel hungry even when your stomach is physically full.

3. How This Affects You in Real Life

If you eat a huge salad or raw veggies alone, you might:
❌ Feel full initially due to stomach stretch
❌ Still feel a deep “hunger” because your body didn’t get protein, fats, or carbs
❌ Experience cravings for more food shortly after

4. Fixing the Problem

Instead of relying on just raw veggies for fullness:
✅ Pair them with protein & fat – A salad with chicken and olive oil will satisfy much longer than plain lettuce.
✅ Cook some of your veggies – Cooking breaks down fiber, making digestion easier and reducing bloating.
✅ Include a small portion of dense foods – Adding nuts, avocado, cheese, or some cooked potatoes can create a lasting feeling of fullness.