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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I’ve gone from having a giant’s appetite to a fairy’s appetite!

60 replies

Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 17:04

Hello!

Historically, I’ve had a very large appetite. When I was a child, we would have McDonalds literally 4 times per week and we would also eat sugary cereal, unlimited crisps and chocolate plus other takeaways (and we were encouraged to have a large pizza all to ourselves). I had no issue with this even though I was a child-it was delicious and fun to eat all that. This eating carried on until my early 30s as it was normal to me. I am overweight but not as badly as you’d think (weight 13.5 stone at 5’6”) and my weight does not fluctuate.

I got married yesterday and me and DH are having a mini moon. I have been eating less naturally as I’ve got older (now mid 30s). Partly because DH had a stomach condition where he can’t eat massive portions and partly because I wanted to trim some fat for the wedding (I did it and am 13 stone now and did look nice in my dress though I say so myself). I typically have weetabix or fruit for breakfast, salad or fish and veg for lunch and something like baked potato or sushi for dinner.

Because I’ve historically adored food and lots of it, I booked what I thought were normal but indulgent meals on this mini moon. Like a 3 course dinner yesterday and afternoon tea today. I’ve found it really really hard to eat though. I could only eat half my afternoon tea (even though I’m not having lunch or dinner today and I deliberately had a small breakfast and a walk to make space for afternoon tea). At our wedding dinner last night, I could only eat two courses and half a bottle of wine and I was uncomfortably full to the point it wasn’t nice. This was when I’d just had a cereal bar for lunch to make space!

It’s odd to me! Also, my mother (who I suspect had eating and drinking disorders among other things) would praise me for being ‘fun’ because she could always count on me to eat lots of food and be her drinking buddy. It was about the only thing she liked about me. I feel like I’m no fun now that I’ve got this mouse appetite. I think I’m being unreasonable because I can still be ‘fun’ without eating and drinking a lot.

I do see other people in the hotel tucking in to several helpings of breakfast and then large meals for lunch and dinner plus lots of alcohol throughout the day. The servers have seemed surprised when I’ve asked for the bill! I don’t know what to think.

YABU: Your appetite is too small now and maybe something is wrong.

YANBU: Your appetite is fine, it’s normal to get full after one course of food.

OP posts:
Timeforthesummer · 26/05/2023 17:13

I don't understand.

You e gone from eating 4x McDonald's a week to eating 3 healthy meals, you've lost half a stone and your appetite has decreased?

Well that sounds normal, your appetite will be smaller if you've been eating less.

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 17:15

I guess that’s what it is. I just think eating and drinking a lot was part of my identity before and it’s weird to me to not be able to be like that anymore!

OP posts:
Indoorcatmum · 26/05/2023 17:27

Unless you are dropping weight rapidly and it doesn't make sense with your caloric intake I wouldn't worry.

Also, rememeber that at the beginning of summer animals and humans naturally begin to eat less.

Maybe now you are just more in tune with your body and noticing the hunger cues changing.

As for being fun, most people dont notice what others eat! Your personality and conversation is what matters.

The only thing I find annoying is if I'm tucking into my food and someone says things like "ooh, I couldn't eat all that" etc etc

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 17:36

@Indoorcatmum you are so right. I think I’m a lot more in tune with my body and I think summer may have something to do with eating less. You’re right about conversation and personality mattering more too. I guess it’s a new era for me and I’m surprised that even on my actual wedding day, I can’t overeat!

I would also never say to another person that I couldn’t eat all that; you’re right that it’s rude and unnecessary. Thank you.

OP posts:
LysHastighed · 26/05/2023 17:41

Possibly you have reset your ghrelin and leptin levels through the change in your eating habits.
If you don’t have any pain or vomiting (I had
gastropareisis and there’s quite a high level of discomfort if not pain) I wouldn’t worry.

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 17:46

@LysHastighed thats interesting! I might research that. It would explain a lot.

No, I don’t have any unusual symptoms apart from not being able to fit much in!

OP posts:
MouseKeys · 26/05/2023 17:49

It's probably just the change in diet and enjoying healthier eating options but just in case, I went through something similar when I had a massive ovarian cyst. I typically have a big appetite but for the 5-6 months before I had it removed I was barely eating as I would feel full pretty much straight away and would get tummy ache when I ate. Just something to think about if you're worried but hopefully its nothing!

Burnoutright · 26/05/2023 18:06

What happens when you eat? Do you feel bloated? Or do you just feel full, like before when you'd eaten enough?

Burnoutright · 26/05/2023 18:07

Are you going to the loo for a wee more frequently?

Any bloating generally?

Tinybrother · 26/05/2023 18:09

It sounds fine. But watching what other people in the hotel are eating over the course of the day and comparing to yourself is a bit odd.

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 18:15

MouseKeys · 26/05/2023 17:49

It's probably just the change in diet and enjoying healthier eating options but just in case, I went through something similar when I had a massive ovarian cyst. I typically have a big appetite but for the 5-6 months before I had it removed I was barely eating as I would feel full pretty much straight away and would get tummy ache when I ate. Just something to think about if you're worried but hopefully its nothing!

I’ll bear that in mind! Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 18:18

@Burnoutright I am quite bloated, yes. It goes away fairly easily though as long as I don’t eat for the rest of the day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 18:20

Tinybrother · 26/05/2023 18:09

It sounds fine. But watching what other people in the hotel are eating over the course of the day and comparing to yourself is a bit odd.

Oh yeah, I made it sound like I was watching individuals all day! I wasn’t actually doing that; I people watch a lot as I find it interesting and it does seem like people are generally eating and drinking a lot. I’m not tracking individuals through the day, I just meant I was perturbed at my lack of appetite and people watched a bit to see what others were doing.

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 26/05/2023 20:51

That's exactly the issue with ultra processed 'junk' foods, they at

FinallyHere · 26/05/2023 20:53

That's exactly the issue with ultra processed 'junk' foods, they

stimulate the appetite rather than satisfy appetite and make you want to eat ever more.

This is great for the people producing and selling this kind of 'food' which is not really good st all.

Real, good food satisfies appetite and leave you feeling, well, satisfied.

Enjoy.

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 20:56

@FinallyHere that’s a good point. It does make life easier to not be hungry all the time!

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 26/05/2023 21:08

Just been reading https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/451300/ultra-processed-people-by-tulleken-chris-van/9781529900057 following a recommendation on another MN thread

Such interesting points, so well researched.

SophiaElise · 26/05/2023 21:15

Are you in America by any chance? Or somewhere with American-sized portions?

veneeroftheyear · 26/05/2023 21:23

@FinallyHere I've just listened to this book on Audible and thought exactly the same. OP it could just be that you're eating proper food now.

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 21:25

SophiaElise · 26/05/2023 21:15

Are you in America by any chance? Or somewhere with American-sized portions?

I am in the UK! I usually live in England but I’m in Scotland for a mini moon at the moment. I think my eating as a child was influenced a bit by what I saw on tv (I’m a 90s kid) so it was quite American!

OP posts:
Sissynova · 26/05/2023 21:27

I think your perception is just a bit off.
Just because you had McDonald’s 4 times a week as a child doesn’t automatically mean you are eating a massive portion.
And this ‘I could only eat two courses and half a bottle of wine’ just sounds totally normal. It would be a large amount to have more than 2 courses and more than half a bottle of time!

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 21:27

FinallyHere · 26/05/2023 21:08

Just been reading https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/451300/ultra-processed-people-by-tulleken-chris-van/9781529900057 following a recommendation on another MN thread

Such interesting points, so well researched.

I’ve just downloaded this! It looks brilliant, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 21:28

veneeroftheyear · 26/05/2023 21:23

@FinallyHere I've just listened to this book on Audible and thought exactly the same. OP it could just be that you're eating proper food now.

This is likely! Thank goodness!

OP posts:
Greengold123 · 26/05/2023 21:28

Going completely against the grain but if its that dramatic and obvious to you please see a GP and ask for some fairly basic tests (ovarian cancer blood test, abdo scan and so on).

Yes it could be you've reset your body, great.

But a close relative started out like this and had bowel cancer so it's not worth taking a chance.

Original poster
Feliciacat · 26/05/2023 21:32

Sissynova · 26/05/2023 21:27

I think your perception is just a bit off.
Just because you had McDonald’s 4 times a week as a child doesn’t automatically mean you are eating a massive portion.
And this ‘I could only eat two courses and half a bottle of wine’ just sounds totally normal. It would be a large amount to have more than 2 courses and more than half a bottle of time!

That’s a good point. Honestly though, as an under 10, I would eat a super size meal at McDonalds plus an ice cream. If we had takeaway of another kind (which was also several times a week) then I’d get an adult large pizza (meant for four adults) to myself.

Then as an adult, I’d typically eat McDonalds for breakfast, pie and chips with crisps and chocolate for lunch and Chinese takeaway in the evening. As for wine, I’d have about two bottles a day if I was at my parents. One bottle if I was at mine. That was into my early 30s. It’s just a massive surprise that I can’t even touch that now!

So I think you’re right, my perception is wrong. I pretty much had a binge eating disorder before and maybe now I’m healthier!

OP posts: