Not eating enough but not hungry?

kcampbell570

Hi all. I’ve had an issue with not feeling hungry and only eating 50-60% of my daily calorie goal, and sometimes less. My calorie goal is 2,100 and most days, I eat anywhere from 700-1100.

I’m not doing this on purpose, and I know it’s really bad, but if I try to force myself to eat more during the day to hit my goal, I can often feel sick and “overfull”. I’m also not a morning or breakfast person so that doesn’t help.

I’m new to the weight loss scene but I have a LONG way to go - currently 270lbs and 5’5, so I want to go ahead and solve this.

Does anyone else struggle with this (or used to)? How did you resolve it? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

manderson27

You didn't get to 270 by undereating or forcing yourself to eat, so know you are capable of eating more. And as you seem to be aware you are certainly not doing yourself any favours by undereating to that degree. Add in some high calorie foods like peanut butter and full fat cheese/cream/ oils. That will get your calorie count up.

You should not be eating less than 1200 otherwise you will be depriving your body of nutrients.

I often don't eat breakfast as I am not a morning person either but it doesnt matter WHEN you eat just ensure you get enough calories when you do eat.

Eating so little will leave you lacking in energy and over the long term you will be losing muscle which is not a good thing (your heart is a muscle) and can lead to a lot of other health issues which I am sure you don't want.

If you feel sick everytime you eat then maybe you need to see a doctor in case something else is going on with you digestion.

I hope you find a way to increase your calorie intake. I am sure others with more knowledge or experience with this will come back with good advice/suggestions.

kcampbell570

My issue before was eating too quickly and I also struggled with binging, but I’ve learned to eat slower and I have more self control now - so that’s where this became an issue. Even before, I would feel “overstuffed” to the point of nausea but my body wouldn’t recognize it at first since I ate so quickly.
Hopefully I’m able to figure this out in terms of balancing nutrition, and I may see a doctor if trial and error doesn’t resolve this. Thank you.

nutmegoreo

Aim for more calorie dense foods, rather than "diet" versions. Full fat mayo, full fat dressings, etc.

nutmegoreo

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1

kami3006

nutmegoreo wrote: »

Aim for more calorie dense foods, rather than "diet" versions. Full fat mayo, full fat dressings, etc.

Yep. Don’t have to eat more food, just more calories.

kcampbell570

That makes sense. Thank you so much! That’s really helpful.

hroderick

Be sure you are measuring accurately, use scales and the database selections with green check marks.
It was easy for me to undereat and lose fast at the beginning. I use 1% current weight weekly loss as a maximum loss rate. As you lose, enter your new weight, get attagirls from your friends, and get MFP to recalculate your daily calories. It will slowly drop to 1200 minimum as you lose.

Francl27

Make sure that you're actually logging accurately. I highly doubt that a 270 lbs person can feel 'not hungry' at 1100 calories...

paperpudding

How long have you been doing this??

are you losing weight?

If not, then i think logging is the issue and you are actually eating more than you think.

If you are losing weight, particularly if it is more than expected and you are feeling unwell and unable to eat more - see a doctor. Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite should be investigated

kcampbell570

Yes, I’m logging correctly. I’ve checked and considered that multiple times, I assure you. I’m not hollow in the head. Not sure why I even posted this, should’ve known I’d probably be doubted.

Thanks anyway

TavistockToad

kcampbell570 wrote: »

Yes, I’m logging correctly. I’ve checked and considered that multiple times, I assure you. I’m not hollow in the head. Not sure why I even posted this, should’ve known I’d probably be doubted.

Thanks anyway

Opening your diary might help? People can give you ideas of more calorific swaps you can make?

JoP2508

kcampbell570 wrote: »

Hi all. I’ve had an issue with not feeling hungry and only eating 50-60% of my daily calorie goal, and sometimes less. My calorie goal is 2,100 and most days, I eat anywhere from 700-1100.

I’m not doing this on purpose, and I know it’s really bad, but if I try to force myself to eat more during the day to hit my goal, I can often feel sick and “overfull”. I’m also not a morning or breakfast person so that doesn’t help.

I’m new to the weight loss scene but I have a LONG way to go - currently 270lbs and 5’5, so I want to go ahead and solve this.

Does anyone else struggle with this (or used to)? How did you resolve it? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

kcampbell570 wrote: »

Hi all. I’ve had an issue with not feeling hungry and only eating 50-60% of my daily calorie goal, and sometimes less. My calorie goal is 2,100 and most days, I eat anywhere from 700-1100.

I’m not doing this on purpose, and I know it’s really bad, but if I try to force myself to eat more during the day to hit my goal, I can often feel sick and “overfull”. I’m also not a morning or breakfast person so that doesn’t help.

I’m new to the weight loss scene but I have a LONG way to go - currently 270lbs and 5’5, so I want to go ahead and solve this.

Does anyone else struggle with this (or used to)? How did you resolve it? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

kcampbell570 wrote: »

Hi all. I’ve had an issue with not feeling hungry and only eating 50-60% of my daily calorie goal, and sometimes less. My calorie goal is 2,100 and most days, I eat anywhere from 700-1100.

I’m not doing this on purpose, and I know it’s really bad, but if I try to force myself to eat more during the day to hit my goal, I can often feel sick and “overfull”. I’m also not a morning or breakfast person so that doesn’t help.

I’m new to the weight loss scene but I have a LONG way to go - currently 270lbs and 5’5, so I want to go ahead and solve this.

Does anyone else struggle with this (or used to)? How did you resolve it? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

Hey! I used to struggle with this and still do to a point. I’m quite a bit taller but I was 310 at my highest weight. I’m at 260 now. You can certainly feel full after so few calories because you’re not eating “empty” food now. You’re trying to be healthier and there are SO many other things that go into gaining weight than simply eating yourself to that point. So, ignore those comments. A huge thing could be the fact that you’re not eating a pack of cookies and a bag of chips. Those foods usually contain chemicals that make our mind and body want more. With healthier food, it isn’t like that as much. So, try finding something you really like and watch your protein % because that could lead to it as well. good luck!

kimny72

kcampbell570 wrote: »

Yes, I’m logging correctly. I’ve checked and considered that multiple times, I assure you. I’m not hollow in the head. Not sure why I even posted this, should’ve known I’d probably be doubted.

Thanks anyway

There are plenty of posters who are not dumb but don't really know how to log accurately. People weren't doubting you - you are a random anonymous stranger with a closed diary and we were just double checking to be sure, as logging issues are often the problem.

If you are logging accurately, it can sometimes take a little time for your digestive system and appetite to adjust to a new way of eating. The link to calorie dense foods should help. If after a couple of weeks you are still struggling, you might want to get a checkup to be sure there are no physical issues.