Emotional NOT eating

[tobee]

So I need to lose weight and have started Noom this last week.

Tonight I've received some upsetting news and have fallen into my default habit of losing my appetite and can't face the idea of eating. Probably last until I feel I've made peace with news.

This is obviously an emotional response to the stress/upset/anxiety. I've experienced it many times before.

Surely this is as tricky as comfort eating? Anyone else? How do you deal with this? I've been repeating this pattern for well over 30 years!

Thanks

I have the same reaction to really bad news. Just can't eat. Tbh, it doesn't bother me if I have weight to lose anyway. If it goes on for more than a few days I try to eat small, light nutritious meals, like fresh veggie soup or muesli, and I drink my bodyweight in tea so the milk helps. I sort of trust my body that it can't face food.

Sorry if that's not much help but if you are not already underweight, a few days of appetite loss won't harm you. You could take a multivitamin and iron supplements so you don't feel too worn out.

I've always swung between binge eating til I'm sick, and not being able to put the food in my mouth at all.

It's quite normal for people to do this. If you think you could manage, grab some protein shakes so you're getting something inside you.

Thanks for your replies @Cowbells and @SpongeCakeAddict!

I'm not worried about losing a few pounds; it's quite useful! But do you think it stems from the same mindset as comfort/binge eating? Should I be addressing my emotions? Part of me thinks it's not very (mentally) healthy to almost enjoy not eating; losing 2 or three pounds without trying might be seen as a bonus!

I think not eating as a reaction to very upsetting news/stress is pretty common. Think it's a reaction to the fight or flight response our body goes through in response to a threat.