Need to put on weight but no appetite

[ReturnofSaturn]

I really need to put on some weight, have lost quite a bit recently and I'm already a very slim person to start with! I dont look good and have even missed a period this last month.

The thing is I have no appetite whatsoever and I think this is due to a bit of depression, stress, and also a bit of illness I had recently.
I'm really struggling to eat much at all at the moment so does anybody know of any high calorie really simple food/drinks that would help maybe pack some weight back on. Nothing complicated that requires much cooking, just stuff thats easy to get down.

TIA

[IcedVanillaLatte]

Nut butter of any kind is very nutritious. Would you manage calorific drinks? Milkshakes with extra cream, that sort of thing?

[GentlyGentlyOhDear]

I struggle with my appetite and losing weight when stressed or anxious so try to eat little and often. I have things like cheese, cashew nuts, hummus, yogurt and banana, the little custard pots and rice pudding pots you can buy, hard boiled eggs cut into slithers, Philadelphia cheese spread on crackers and for so e reason I can always manage homemade apple crumble! Psychologically a big meal is really off putting, but I can manage a lot of smaller, high calorie snacks.
I hope you're starting to feel better soon.

[danTDM]

I had this feeling last year, I also live in a hot country and in the summer I was totally unable to stomach anything. It did not end well so do be careful.

I still am off food in the summer months, I find the following are easy to eat. (preparing food also puts me off) cold, hard boiled eggs for protein just boil loads at once and keep in fridge, cheese (all types) almonds, avocados are brilliant if you could manage an avocado and tomato/mozerella salad.

Lentils I don't know why but the one thing I could stomach were lentils/soup/stew etc.

Make yourself eat a yogurt in the morning. Force a banana down too. That will really set you up.

I know, I know, food makes you feel physically sick, but, if you can just eat some yog, bananas and a few boiled eggs for protein/ maybe a tuna sarnie? It will help. Nuts are your friend.

Good luck, I feel for you. It's horrid.

[sadie9]

Can I ask about other lifestyle things. Do your smoke or drink coffee, and do you exercise, and if so how much would you be exercising per week about?

[ReturnofSaturn]

danTDM how did it not end well for you, if you don't mind me asking?

[danTDM]

Ended up in hospital on a drip with Malnutrition. They said I was anorexic! I wasn't, not at all, seriously, definitely not. I've always been thin and had no weight to lose. Anyway, I got back on my feet but I wouldn't recommend this, really, do all you can to eat. Just find something, anything that you can stomach with protein and eat it.

Oh, I smoked too, not clever! It's not as if I didn't know what I should be eating, I just didn't want to. I am normally so healthy. I had many, many, outside stresses that summer and I think that contributed hugely. Good Luck return I know it's sooo hard when you have just no appetite.

I no longer smoke and I am obsessed with checking that I eat properly! I felt like a right idiot.

In hospital I had high protein drinks am, pm. Could you do this?

[danTDM]

P.S My periods stopped too, it's a very big warning sign.

[ReturnofSaturn]

Blimey danTDM I'm sorry to hear that!

Yea that's what I'm worried about now too as I haven't had a period this last time and it's the first time I've missed a period in bloody years so it must be to do with my weight! And I don't wanna fuck that stuff up as I'm only 27 and will be wanting kids in the future!

Did your periods return?

It's so difficult though my appetite is literally zero. I feel like I could happily go a couple of days eating nothing at the moment!
This has been going on for 2/3 months and is so weird I've always had a big appetite in the past.

I'am very thin Don't know how much I weigh as I don't own scales and no access to any, but be bit scared to find out anyway!!

[Atenco]

I recommend that, among other things, you start taking Vitamin B complex. It is good for regulating your appetite. I mean overeatters cut down and undereaters get an appetite. It is also good for nerves and energy levels

[wfrances]

i was put on mirtazapine -its an anti depressant but works as an appetite stimulant -it worked for me.
(dont know if you want to go down the med route though )

[wfrances]

forgot to add hospital told me to eat ice cream and drink fortified milk drinks like complan /ovaltine ect.
im not skinny ,lucky i had some weight to play with, i lost nearly 3 stone in 6 months from illness and lack of appetite.

[sadie9]

ReturnofSaturn I think you should take a trip to your GP. Do you exercise much? If you are losing weight you should stop exercising if you are, or reduce it until you put on a bit of weight. Have others commented on your weight loss?
The GP may be able to give you something to help with your appetite. Write down everything you eat and drink in a day, and how much physical exercise you do like ('walk to work half an hour').
Like you say it's important that you stay healthy so your body can do the things you want it to do. Your periods will come back once you reach a healthy weight again.
Have you tackled the depression issue, maybe getting some help with that might help. Sometimes its not just a food thing.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

You can get a Complan powder that you can add to normal food/drink if the milkshake type drinks don't appeal. Obviously not helpful if really can't stomach any food or drink at all though.

I hope your appetite picks up soon

Is there anything you do feel like eating? When I've been unwell I like mashed potato (I just buy the ready made one from M&S!). It just sort of dissolves, so not much effort to eat. You could add extra butter, cream and/or cheese for an extra calorie boost. Also Angel Delight is quite good (made with full fat milk).

[DoneRacing]

Complan and full fat milk. It's hideous but works.

Have multiple health issues and had cancer at a very early age. I'm thin anyway and any stress leads to complete loss of appetite. Solid foods are a complete no go for me when I'm unwell.

[ReturnofSaturn]

Thanks I will look up Complan, not sure if I can get it here, I'm in Canada.

[danTDM]

Ah ha so, you're abroad too. Unless you are Canadian, I do think missing English comfort food is doubly tough in times like this.

If you are Canadian, I'm not surprised that poutine doesn't appeal!

I'm sure there's a protein shake equivalent over there. Try and find one and good luck. Be careful OP Good luck x

[danTDM]

I second the B vits... super important

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

I am sure there will be a Canadian equivalent if they don't sell Complan. Here it is sold in pharmacies so it might be worth asking a pharmacist if you can't find anything obvious :)

[ReturnofSaturn]

No I'm not Canadian, I'm English.

Ok so what vitamins is it,. Vitamin B ?

[TweeBee]

You can add 2-4 spoons of skimmed milk powder to a pint of full fat milk OP to increase energy and protein content. Then just use as normal.
Little and often might be best, eat what you fancy but avoid diet / low fat etc.
If these suggestions don't seem practical ask your GP, they might refer you to a dietitian.
Take care.

[elephantoverthehill]

I find stewed fruit, homemade with sugar served with yoghurt good, but make sure you buy full fat yoghurt. Also soup. I don't know why but if you can buy something from a café or supermarket ready prepared it is sometimes easier to eat than always preparing your own food.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

I've just remembered another of my dietitian's recommendation. (I was never actually underweight, but they were concerned I might be following major bowel surgery.)

Custard made with full fat milk (do they have Bird's or equivalent?) or the ready made one. It's another thing that's quite easy to slurp.

I can often manage cheese and Ritz crackers even when I'm feeling quite grim.

I've just reread your OP and you mention a recent illness. Was that something stomach/bowel related?

[ReturnofSaturn]

Just a quick update.

I'm still really struggling to eat anything at all. I think my depression is worse than what I previously thought. Iam at my wit's end.
I can't eat, don't seem to ever get proper sleep and when I do, wake up early with my mind racing 100mph with weird stuff.

Getting tension strains as well in my muscles and neck. So worried how thin iam, but I just can't eat!!

[ReturnofSaturn]

Feeling very very low in mood.

[Turbinaria]

Have you seen your doctor for your depression/ stress they may be able to help control some of the symptoms you are experiencing. Malnutrition can also contribute to those symptoms. If nothing else drink a pint Of fortified milk a day ( 1 pint full fat milk with 4 tablespoons milk powder stirred in) also take a multivitamin mineral supplement daily