Need help starting to eat properly again, I know it sounds dumb but how can you get your appetite back after youve lost it?

[LittleCarlos]

Have been rather stressed lately and its been affecting what ive been eating to the point where ive more or less stopped. Its not an intentional thing but its happened before when ive been stressed and it made me quite ill so I dont want to go down that road again. For example

Today - havent eaten yet
Yesterday - I only had a bit of fish pie and potatoes at 7pm
Day before - 2 rice crackers in the am, and toast in pm
Saturday - Chicken&Mush pie, with potatoes & veg and a papyia fruit

Its not enough i know but I cant seem to get my appetite back on track. I just dont feel hungrey.

Any tips?

Is there anything that tempts you at all, in the way of food? Do you still feel hungry, but don't feel like eating? Or do you even feel hungry?

(I've been struggling with appetite lately, but not to the degree you seem to be. I still get hungry, but don't feel like eating. It seems to be getting better, though.)

Chocolate is ALWAYS a good place to start

Seriously, just give yourself time. Make sure what you eat is packed full of nutrients and good stuff. (Someone who is knowledgeable on good stuff will be along shortly im sure). But basically - chuck those rice crackers in the bin, snack on nuts, pumpkin seeds, fruit, cereal etc.

Loss of appetite can also be a sign of depression. It might be worth taking a visit to your GP.

I just dont even feel hungry, to the point where I could be offered any meal in the world cooked by any chef and would still say no thanks.

I dont feel at all depressed, have had a lovely afternoon, laughed alot etc. This seems to be the way for me that stress shows itself but even when the stress has passed the effects of it still linger.

Do you feel dizzy and weak?

Do you have a history of dieting and other food issues?

(I feel I would say "no thanks" but then if I don't eat enough, I get nasty dizzy spells like I'm going to faint. So I eat regularly.)

I dont DO dieting iykwim. I had a good at weight watchers a few years ago but havent got the will power. I dont really need to lose weight (toning up would be good though!) Yes, to dizzy spells and nausea now which I think is linked to the not eating properly thing.

Hmm, I would try to eat really healthy food, and see what tempts. Easy for me to say, I guess, as all I want since my appetite went south is really simple food, mostly vegan, lots of fresh fruit and veg.

Can't you just make sure you eat when your kids eat?

You have to eat if you're going to have the energy to look after your boys. Little and often might be the way to go - even if you don't fancy anything, have something small to keep you going.

It could still be a sign of depression you know; have you ever heard of "smiling depression"? When depression hides itself behind smile, when you turn everything bad into a joke, when everyone thinks you're fine but your smile is forced and fixed in place, when you over-compensate and laugh when you want to cry.

i feel like this sometimes too, i wish there was a pill you could take to just get eating over with!

i can get a bit like that to the point where as i am still breast feeding i really do need to forse myself sometimes!!! it is just lack of time and interest in food. i always find if i go to someone elses for tea i will eat loads as it takes the stress out of thinking about it or just get a take away for a few nights... have lots of snack foods and easy foods in the house as well...ie apples,melon,yoghurt,chocolate,crisps at least you can browse your way through the day then also try getting some milk shake supplement drinks just to top what you are eating up........ good luck!

things like this are often a vicious circle because your metabolism slows down in anticipation of "famine".

why not start by getting a decent breakfast every day - doesn't have to be huge, but make sure it has wholegrains and fruit and some protein (an egg, some milk or yoghurt). then try to eat something every 3 hours, even if its just a handful of seeds or berries, to get your metabolism moving again.

I honestly dont feel depressed, really. That just sounds like denile now though - but its true. Little things still make me happy and I still look forward to each day although some more than others, but on the whole I feel fine.

I will have to go shopping! Havent been for a couple of weeks cause i couldnt see the point in buying anything and letting it go off. I guess now would be a good time to change my eating habbits too - I eat far to much crap, and whilst food doesnt really taste of anything I can force healthy normally yukky tasting stuff down there!

(Am logging off now, will check thread tommorrow - thanks )

(Tamba)