Freak appetite occurrence- just wondering what happened?

I was just wondering if anyone could classify this condition for me, because I have no idea what was happening to me. I'll describe:

On Friday night, I had eaten dinner already and was about to go to bed when I got these intense hunger pains. I knew I couldn't truly be hungry, I had just finished eating a normal sized dinner after a whole day of healthy meals, so I just went to sleep.

The next morning, the feeling was gone and I ate a light breakfast before going to work (an apple and Kashi GLC cereal). I only worked for two hours, and felt fine, just the normal "it's almost time for lunch" hunger coming on. After work, I was headed straight for LA (from San Diego). I brought an apple and some veggies, planning on eating lunch when I got there, or possibly stop on the way.

Then, while munching on my veggies in the car, the intense hunger came back, only it was tenfold. I have never felt like this before. It was painful even. It was as though I had been stranded on an island for months, I am not exaggerating. I felt ravenous, like a teenage boy or something. I ate up my veggies and apple and more Kashi GLC that I had brought. You know how when you are eating, you don't become full right away, but you feel a SENSE of fullness build as you go along? Well, every bite I took left me hungrier than the last. I was beginning to get freaked out at this point. I decided to stop and get something substantial. I got this HUGE eggplant wrap with veggies and seeds and dressing. I am the type of person who likes to eat lots of small meals through out the day, but I ate the entire thing and I STILL felt like I had not eaten for days.

Well, I didn't want to just keep eating, because the feeling was obviously not going away and I had already consumed a normal amount of calories for the time of day, so I just treked through it. It lasted all day long and then the next day I felt normal.

I was wondering if anyone has experienced this, or has heard of it. If you need further information, I am female, 19 (20 in July), 5'5, 117 lbs, eat roughly 1800-2100 calories a day and am lightly active.

Thank you very much.

There's no real mystery... Cereals for breakfast and fruit/vegetables as 'lunch' are basically all carbohydrates.  Small meals throughout the day (constant snacking) is not a satisfying way to eat.  You were empty, your blood-sugars were on the floor and you felt hungry.  

In a restaurant you're served a light meal to begin with called an 'appetiser'.... precisely to sharpen up the appetite.  Your vegetables and apple acted as an appetiser. 

You need to eat real meals.... at each one get some protein, fats and complex carbohydrates.   And, just occasionally, have a day where you get a good 2500 cals .... you're young and active and you need plenty of energy.   Eat bigger meals and small snacks rather than constantly grazing.... you'll feel like you've actually eaten.  Women also need more food when they're menstruating (don't know if that's applicable here)  If it happens again, eat some more.  1900-2100 on a regular basis is rather restrictive.  You probably need more like 2000-2300.

Thank you for the advice, you're right, I probably should be eating a bit more in general.

I just want to clarify that I don't eat fruits/veggies only as meals normally, it was just one of those rushed days, you know? I knew I'd be having a big meal in LA once I got there so I wanted to be hungry for it, but then I went into ravenous mode.

The hunger thing could have been because of my blood-sugar, but I do want to stress that it was extremely abnormal hunger, like nothing I've ever felt. It was painful and it literally could not be satiated, even momentarily, no matter how much I ate. I really think something else was coming into play than just my breakfast being too small and carb-y. I was afraid I had a parasite or something! The menstruation is a thought though, I wasn't at the time but it is coming up.

Hmm, who knows, it was very, very odd. Thank you for your reply.

I've been having the same problem for a few days now, and I can tell for sure that it has to do with stress... not sure if that applies to you, too. But I know that I'll be back to normal as soon as the weekend comes. Well, I hope!! ;)

You might want to make an appointment with your Doctor. An ulcer can cause those symptoms. Pregnancy can also cause your appetite to change. Is there any chance you might be pregnant?

cantspell: Never thought about stress as a factor... I was running late and looking forward to hours of LA traffic, but I do this monthly. I suppose that could have contributed though, good point.

littleshellys: An ulcer, eek! What causes those? I know stress is linked to them as well. And about being pregnant, I suppose there is always the chance, but I would be extremely shocked if I were, I always make sure I am extremely protected. Hmm, some things to think about though.

Thank you both for your input.

They use to think that all ulcers were caused by stress, coffee or spicy food but it has been proven that 90% of ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection. Most of the time they can be treated and cured.

Good to know, as those other three factors are not common in my daily life. Guess it's time for a check-up!

Folkharpist,

I'm not sure if this is the case, but I know that I ate way more in my early 20s than I did even in highschool when I was playing three sports and staying up past midnight to finish homework. It's not like I had a growth spurt or anything, my body just changed and started demanding not only more food (*much* more) but different food as well. Living in LA will make it easy to vary your diet a little more, trying different kinds of protein in different proportions with complex and simple carbs. Might help. Good luck.