How does one "forget/not want to" eat?

RecognitionT

Only once in my life have I not felt the constant urge to eat at least once every 2-3 hours, and that's when I was in the hospital practically dying and crying my eyes out, and my stomach couldn't fit any food in it even if I wanted to.

For the most part, I eat like clockwork. And ever since I counted every calorie that entered my mouth, it's been significantly more difficult staying under my limit than just "watching out for bad foods."

Then I read stories of people that forget to eat or can't be bothered preparing a meal, so they just skip it, and for the most part it doesn't even disturb them.

Since I started using MFP, not a day has passed since my eating was dictated by the clock, every couple of hours without fail.

Seriously, if I could just "forget to eat" between breakfast and suppertime and then stuff my face with all my day's calories at once, I'd totally do that, but I get too hungry too often to ever pull it off

Tips, tricks? Most of my day is spent at home studying, nothing physically strenuous beyond walking around the house cooking, cleaning, and ~20 minutes of jumping rope.

I feel like most of the eating I do isn't so much because I'm hungry... but bored.

RadishEater

I might be posting twice because of an error in the app but hopefully not

I also feel like I constantly eat food and look forward to the next snack. The only time I can't think about food is a very stressful day/half day at work. Usually once I sit down to eat I am surprised on how easily I finish my meal when I thought I didn't feel hungry.

I have pondered if others perhaps operate at a higher stress level where food isn't important.

Also I love cooking and batch make homemade lunches and dinners for the week so I am always looking forward to the meals. I have friends who subsist on yogurt a protein bar and chips for lunch.

Meelisv

I don't have an answer for you, but I have always wondered the same thing. What also baffles me, is that the same people who say that they forget to eat or simply aren't hungry or say that they struggle to eat 1000 kcal per day, have somehow found their way here, because they need to or want to lose weight. People don't get to a point where they want to lose weight by barely eating 1000 calories per day. Still it's a story that repeats itself over and over again.

Sabine_Stroehm

The few times I played around with low carb I forgot to eat a couple of times.

concordancia

My husband just gets so wrapped up in his work. He is doing it this week. He takes a salad for lunch, brings it back home and finally finishes it off at 8pm or so. He is also sleeping about 4 hours a night and getting very pissy.

MegaMooseEsq

My husband often forgets to eat at work, but he usually makes up for it in the PM. There's nothing wrong with eating frequently, but I hear you on the dangers of bored eating when you're stuck at home. Have you tried meal-prepping as if you were going to be out of the house for the day? Make the kitchen off-limits other than what you've prepped in advance. Or if you can afford it, try studying at a coffee shop and planning what you'll eat/drink there in advance. Maybe look at your macro balance too - I get filled up quickly by fats, other people find protein more filling. Good luck!

tulips_and_tea

I lose interest in food when I'm sick or injured, so I can relate to that.

Now that it's just me I can get pretty lazy in the evening when it comes to cooking something and then having to clean up afterwards. I try to cook things that last several meals because of that but if I don't have something I'd much rather skip dinner than go out and get something.

Boredom eating is a different subject. I don't eat out of boredom because I either 1) find something to keep myself busy (I can't sit still for very long anyway) or 2) know that the calories are not necessary.

yirara

I was overweight at a certain time. However, every now and then I was so absorbed into my work that I simply forgot to eat. I felt rubbish at a certain time, but if you're able to hyperfocus on something then yes, it's very well possible even though I'm usually eating small things within fairly short intervals. Btw, I did gain weight because I was snacking too much. Not because of hunger, but because I liked the snacks.

manderson27

I NEVER forget about food. I can go without it if I choose to or if the situation demands it but my stomach will rumble to remind me I havent eaten yet.

sardelsa

Everyone has varying levels of hunger and deals with it in different ways. For example, when I get stressed out I lose my appetite completely. Also when I am really busy or running around, I will forget to eat, and even if I do get hungry I tend ignore it since it doesn't register as high priority to my brain (which is really frustrating especially since I'm trying to gain weight) I get more annoyed with it, like "uch can't you see we are in the middle of something, now I have to feed you?"

And yea, sometimes I am so lazy to cook or prepare a meal, if I don't have meals prepared, I can't be bothered and give up (again not right now since I have to fight hard and I meal prep and make eating a priority or else I won't reach my goals).

No tips and tricks, some people are just wired a certain way. Maybe you have to figure out a way not to get too hungry... time your meals a certain way, play with your macros, more protein, fibre, volume etc. Some people work with small more frequent meals, other people like larger meals that keep them full. Also, at the end of the day, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. As long as you are not starving yourself, trying to get super ultra stage lean and you are getting adequate calories/nutrition, hunger is just hunger.. Eventually you can learn to ignore it (to an extent) with keeping busy and distraction. Find something to occupy your time to not eat out of boredom, so finding activities that don't go well with eating for example. Also keeping the munchie/tempting foods out of reach (in the basement, freezer etc) can help too. Or don't buy them.

SpanishFusion

Once 30 years ago, my brother was getting married at 2 pm. After the service, I realized that I didn't eat lunch! Once.
I usually am thinking about what I'm going to eat for dinner while I'm eating lunch. My husband, who is tall and thin, looks at me crazy when I asked him what's for dinner while we're eating lunch. He says, "I can't think about that now." I however, when I'm counting calories, think about it all my waking hours. How do I deal? I just plan my foods, and I just deal. Try to focus on something else.

jaxsmama123

I'm in the same boat. I love to eat, I eat out of boredom, I eat cause its supper time or breakfast or whatever. However, my sister in law's (both stick thin) can just not eat all day. They "forget" to eat or just weren't hungry for like 10 hours and by 7pm they decide to eat. like WTF!? The one works a 8-5 job like me and the other is a stay at home mom/studying for school. I honestly do not understand how they can do this EVERY day..

ValeriePlz

I have literally never forgotten to eat a meal in my whole life. My husband will sometimes forget to eat lunch and I don't get it.

spiriteagle99

My husband will get focused on what he's doing and forget to eat. It irritates me because if I'm out of the house, he'll skip meals so I feel bad if I'm not there to feed him. He'll also eat junk when he does realize he's hungry because it's too much trouble to fix something healthy.

I don't hyper-focus on food unless I'm doing a strict diet, which I prefer not to do because I hate the obsession with food that comes with that. I tend to eat to a schedule, which means I'm not always in touch with whether or not I'm actually hungry. If I want something to eat outside of regular meal times, I've learned to ask myself whether I'm actually hungry, or just in the mood to eat. If I'm not hungry I'll find something else to do. If I am hungry, I'll ask myself what is the least I can eat that will satisfy the hunger. Usually a slice of cheese will take care of it. I get a lot of exercise and am currently maintaining so I have a lot of flexibility in what and when I eat.

SoozeE512

For the most part, I'm like you in that I feel the constant need to eat. I consider myself a 6-small meals a day kind of person...even if in reality those "meals" seem to run into each other and really there's barely a moment that goes by where there isn't a bite of food going into my mouth.

But, on rare occasion, if I get caught up in a personal project at home, something that really interests me and I really focus in on -- I'll think only an hour or two has gone by until I look at a clock and realize it's been 6 hours instead. It always shocks me when this happens, because like I said, it's very rare for me. But I suppose it helps me to understand how other people get caught up in things and forget to eat.

I guess I just don't have that level of interest in things on a more regular basis like they do. My focus is more often on food!

mom23mangos

^ This! I'm a boredom eater. I don't get hungry. Staying very busy and/or hyper focused on something is the key to me not constantly snacking. If I was sitting at home all day doing nothing but studying, I'd be HUGE!

BTW OP, if that's you in your profile pic, I don't think you have too much to worry about.

kep308

I used to be VERY much that way, for years, but whoa is me, not anymore.

AnotherPlate

When you find you're engaged in something which makes time almost disappear, food is the last thing on your mind. I find when I'm not busy, food is a frequent thought.

LivingtheLeanDream

Nope I never forget to eat.... my belly tells me when it's time

Christine_72

When you find out let me know....

Someone posted this here the other day, which sums it up perfectly for me

PeteTheGamer18

I work days and nights. If i am super tired after my final night shift i have to make myself eat. If i left it to natural rhythm i could go 24 hours forgetting food

valiantrunner

As a mom...sometimes I look up from what I'm doing and realize I should have eaten lunch hours ago. Sometimes I'm watching that clock waiting for a reasonable time to eat lunch LOL!! Every body (not to be confused with everybody) is different in how it regulates, and some people can go 3 - 4 hours between hunger urges. It's within the realm of normal.

shadow2soul

I have my days were I'm just not hungry. It's not so much forgetting. I know I should eat, but I'm just not hungry. It's hard to describe. Then other days I am easily satisfied eating my allotted calories for the day. And then there are days were I want to eat everything and have to be careful not to over eat. Usually it balances out over the week though. If I am super stressed I won't have an appetite at all.

corinasue1143

I am one of those people who just forgets to eat. Be careful who you are jealous of. Like you said, I'm here, trying to lose.
I just have no hunger signal. I have appetite. Food looks good and smells good. But if I don't make the effort, I may go all
Day without eating, realize I am way too tired, then eat 2 candy bars and a pint of ice cream while deciding what to eat.
Sometimes I cook something healthy. More often, I am too tired and run to Sonic.
And that's why I'm here, setting a mental alarm to eat regular, reasonable amounts of healthy good foods.

genchiyu

I mindlessly eat when I'm in front of the TV out of boredom.

Today I couldn't do that at all because I woke up late and had to make late breakfast around 10am. I cook for my younger brother so that he can get his calories in when he comes home from school. (He's struggles with gaining weight.) I kept myself busy today and made my own breakfast while I cooked for someone else. Right now I'm at school figuring out what to eat for lunch/dinner.

Keep yourself busy if you get hungry/eat because of boredom. I, for one, am a product of eating out of boredom. The worst of it all is eating in front of a TV, mindlessly eating, before I realize I was full 20 minutes ago, but still go for that bag of chips and a 2-litre soda.

Lounmoun

In my youth I was able to ignore hunger and it went away when I was busy. I didn't exactly forget but I was able to ignore it. When you are in the habit of doing that I think it becomes easier. I have different habits now.
If you are in the habit of eating every 2-3 hours you will get hungry then. If your habit was skipping breakfast you probably wouldn't feel hungry in the morning most days. If you always have had a huge dinner it is going to be harder to change to the habit of having a smaller dinner.
Develop new habits and hobbies I guess if you eat out of boredom. Leave the kitchen. Leave the house. Get some projects going. Chew some gum. Drink some water. Wait 20 minutes before eating something. It takes time to change habits. If you stick strictly to a schedule for weeks then you will likely feel less hungry at times you don't typically eat.
Or
Eat frequently as is your current habit but stick to your calorie goal. Plan your eating. Stock up on low calorie snacks. Get enough protein, fats and fiber to help you feel more satisfied. Change calories or type of food but not frequency of eating.

goalsforever03

Plain coffee with some cinnamon helps me

RoxieDawn

I work from home. So I have full access to an open kitchen ALL day! That is how I got fat.

The only way I can control when and how much I eat is through logging. I have a few days here and there where I am not that hungry, but I never forget that I have to eat. Exercise drives my calorie goals and my calorie goals is how I get my overall results. When I leave the house, I eat terrible that day because I will skip a meal or 2, but I will come home and eat what ever I have to, calorie dense has its place sometimes to get my cals in.

I witness people that say are so full on 1,000 -1200 calories and I honestly think they have 100% overhauled their diet, become so heath food conscious (think eating clean/food is now bad/junk). I will say that when on a 1200 calorie diet eating volume foods is a big help, but you are eating that way because you are 'hungry'.

Maybe they say "hey, I feel fine on this calorie amount, I can lose faster if I don't eat my exercise or cut out another 100-200 calories, etc".

To be fair, usually they eating more due to logging issues, but they are still psychologically in a low calorie diet which is not mentally healthy. Most post here here after the fact when weight loss has stopped when eating 1200 calories and exercise a fair amount.

I think most everyone gets hungry, I think they formed a new ability to ignore their hunger cues. Sometimes you will see someone that knows they are under eating, may even say they have side effects and they are seeking approval for what they are doing. It so easy to fall victim to an eating disorder.

All this said, I often wonder what happens to the cases I have seen the past 4+ years of these individuals that struggled with this.

ccsernica

For me, it's usually happened when I'm focused on something other than the sensations coming from my stomach. If I'm unfocused or bored I get hungry right on schedule.

Crafty_camper123

I understand the feeling. I am always thinking about when my next meal will be, even if I'm not particularly hungry yet. I have never forgotten to eat, or went a whole day without food. Even when I am busy. It'll delay the hunger for a while, then I'm hit and am suddenly starving. The only time I have no appetite is when I'm sick or depressed, which isn't very often.

peggy_polenta

i am not an eater. i eat once a day (OMAD), because i have to. sometimes i will go 36 hours on purpose because the thought of the effort of shopping for, preparing and eating a meal is too much to deal with. i am not an emotional eater either and i dont see food as a reward for things. now, i love to cook and very very much enjoy cooking for other people but for myself...meh. does my tummy rumble? yes. but it goes away and i won't die of starvation just because my stomach is growling. i'll eat when im ready. i also do intense cardio 5-7 days per week and has not real impact on my hunger.