Eating changes

[Mr.X]

We all know that most guys experience a (temporary) gain in hunger after starting T. But what about the capacity to eat? I'm just over 2.5 years on T, and noticed I can eat a lot more than I used to.

For example, pre-T and eating out, I wouldn't want to order a starter because I knew if I did, chances were high I wouldn't be able to finish my main course. And I would not be able to eat dessert, for sure. But now I can have a starter, a main and dessert without worries, and would even have room for more! I was wondering if this kind of change in the capacity to eat has got something to do with T, or that I screwed up my hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin) in some other way.

[Dee Marshall]

Well, coming from the other side of the question I have a few observations. A body on T typically has a higher metabolism. You're also developing or have developed male musculature which requires more protein to build and maintain. Also, the extra eating for these may well have stretched your stomach and when your body signals fullness is dependent upon a full stomach which is the point behind bariatric surgery.

[Mr.X]

Dee, thanks for your reply. I'm sure no stomach stretching has been done as that is mostly a myth. See for example this study. Granted, only an N of 30 versus 20 controls, but still.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1381/0960892055002158

I still think it is hunger hormone related instead of physically being able to take more food in. As in, the capacity to eat more has always been there, I just felt full quicker because of the regulation and registration of fullness. I Was just wondering if T can influence this. And you are right about the muscle mass. I do have more muscles and less fat than pre-t. And seeing that Leptin (the hormone reducing appetite) is produced in fatcells, this could have something to do with it. Hmmm, interesting!

[Deborah]

I believe that if your body is functioning correctly then as you said its hunger hormone related and it signals that you're full when you've eaten what you need.  On HRT I think my appetite has decreased some.  But on those days where I get a large amount of physical activity usually by walking or running I can still eat a huge amount of food before I feel full.  (Like my supper on a full serving platter instead of a plate)


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[Dena]

As a teen and into my early 20's I would put away two full plates of food at dinner in addition to breakfast and lunch. I am 6'2" which is tall but not overly so and I weighed 140 pounds which is the bottom healthy weight for my hight. The combination of the lack of T and age require me to eat about half what I did before in order to maintain my weight. I have even added more physical activity to prevent weight gain.

T will cause you to eat more to build and maintain your muscles but you still need to be careful because there are many men walking around with a beer belly that wasn't caused by beer.

[Ltl89]

Having been on the opposite side I haven't noticed much xhange when I started estrogen.  My eating patterns have become more erratic as I skip breakfast and lunch cause I usually don't feel that hungry early in the day, but then I sort of binge eat during dinner: however, I think that has more to do with my lifestyle than it does hormones or hunger.  What I did notice a change in is that I tend to have a harder time losing weight and that I put on more fat which is very annoying.  Maybe the testosterone is increasing your metabolism and making you hungrier in the process.

[FTMax]

I didn't have any change in my appetite on T, or in my capacity to eat.

[blink]

The biggest difference is how much protein I not only can eat, but need to eat. There's a difference between satiated and full, and if I don't eat the right foods I can stuff myself but not hit "satiated". I could barely eat much protein pre-T before something kicked in that said, "nah, I don't want any more o'that". I only had an appetite for carbs, the idea of craving protein was almost foreign. Not anymore. Now I have to consciously decide when's enough just like with carbs.

That can't be 100% attributed to the T alone, but the combination of T and exercise sure makes me want to devour a herd of livestock.

[Mr.X]

Good point, blink. I do exercise more now, and am sure my ratio of fat/muscle changed towards more muscle. And I also feel like eating more meat. Pre-T I didn't care much for meat, and even disliked most of it. Now I feel like I want it all. Maybe it's time to listen to it, and eat more meat in order to get properly full. I do miss being full. Now, like you, I have to stop eating because I know eating more is not needed, not because I'm full.

[Kylo]

I didn't have any change in my appetite on T, or in my capacity to eat.

I'm on a diet and every time I see your av I want a friggin' cupcake.

[FTMax]

I didn't have any change in my appetite on T, or in my capacity to eat.

I'm on a diet and every time I see your av I want a friggin' cupcake.

Any diet that excludes cupcakes is not one worth being on!