86lbs...no appetite

I've Been Struggling to gain weight for about 6 months now but I have no appetite. any ideas about what I should do?
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Replies

  • snowmoon13
    snowmoon13 Posts: 165 Member
    seek medical help...

    if you have done that follow medical advice...
  • mccbabe1
    mccbabe1 Posts: 737 Member
    :noway: wow.. are you super short??? I hope so...
    start exercising and it will give you an appetite.. and lift your moods.. and make you want food!
    try eating some carbs.. they are an appetite builder..and make you MORE hungry in the end vs protein!
    of course you need a variety.. but sugars/carbs make your appetite GROW.. gain wt.. etc....
    i dont have this problem of not being hungry/eating... next to NEVER... EXCEPT when im depressed or stressed then maybe no appetite....
  • kckBxer396
    kckBxer396 Posts: 460 Member
    My step mom has this issue. She barely weighs 90 pounds,and hates that everyone comments on how "skinny" she is. I've never had that problem,but, if it were me, I would set an eating schedule. Eat something no smaller than your palm every 2 hours, even if you aren't hungry. Losing weight can be a struggle,but I don't think many people think about the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm sure it can be just as difficult to gain weight. If you find that you are unable to eat due to psychological or physical reasons, definitely seek professional assistance.
  • sanndandi
    sanndandi Posts: 300 Member
    I would say that if you don't have any underlying medical conditions as to why you are underweight that you eat calorie dense foods. Whole milk, eggs, nuts and nut butters, avocados, and those types of things when you DO eat. If you do have a medical condition or some such, then I would suggest as the above poster says to seek medical help and follow the Dr.'s advice.
  • wisher40
    wisher40 Posts: 15 Member
    When you do eat, choose healthy but more calorie dense foods. Whole wheat pastas, cheeses, avocados, mangoes and bananas are all higher in calories while still providing a good mixture of healthy fats, nutrients, etc.
  • norahwynn
    norahwynn Posts: 862 Member
    I'd see a doctor. But if you choose to take the advice of strangers on the internet, then I'd suggest eating more calorie dense foods.
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    Maybe it's just the way your body is right now? I'm 5'7" and was pretty thin when I was young (naturally, I didn't 'diet' or restrict food intake in any way)...I wanted to gain weight SO BAD because I had that thigh gap that everyone seems to want now, but back then, it wasn't "cool". It took me until I was around your age to weigh over 100 pounds.

    If that's the case, then enjoy it while it lasts, hon, in 26 years you'll be back here saying "I can't lose my last 10-15 pounds for the life of me!". :laugh:
  • SMOKE WEED!
  • MexicanOsmosis
    MexicanOsmosis Posts: 382 Member
    SMOKE WEED!

    +1 for the lolz
  • How about vaporizing or smoking some weed? Marijuana can help increase your appetite.
  • Happy 420!
  • chadraeder3
    chadraeder3 Posts: 279 Member
    I am not saying to do anything illegal depending on where you live but I have heard this plant called Cannabis Sativa when used is known to stimulate appetite.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    How tall are you?
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    You pretty much just have to eat even when you're not hungry. Eat things that are healthy and nutritious but also 'packed' with calories AKA nuts, cheeses, avocado, meats, dried fruits, whole wheat pasta and breads. Drink milk, protein shakes, juice, or smoothies with your meals and in between meals.

    Or just become addicted to Starbucks and grab yourself a hazelnut macchiato and a slice of pumpkin bread like I do every day. ;) What an easy 600 calories.
  • arghbowl
    arghbowl Posts: 1,179 Member
    ICE CREAMMMMM
  • BHKLEIN
    BHKLEIN Posts: 104
    :noway: wow.. are you super short??? I hope so...
    start exercising and it will give you an appetite.. and lift your moods.. and make you want food!
    try eating some carbs.. they are an appetite builder..and make you MORE hungry in the end vs protein!
    of course you need a variety.. but sugars/carbs make your appetite GROW.. gain wt.. etc....
    i dont have this problem of not being hungry/eating... next to NEVER... EXCEPT when im depressed or stressed then maybe no appetite....

    This is good advise! It's possible you may have an unknown issue as well.You may need to seek a Dr. Maybe something is off in your system or maybe it's physiological. Are you stressed, having any issues at home or work, are you active? Just some suggestions.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    There are people on MFP trying to recover from eating disorders. Chill with the meth comments and such.

    OP...talk to your physician and see if they can direct you to a registered dietitian. Also seek counseling if you are recovering from an ED if you aren't already. Ask about support groups and hotlines. You can also search for free hotlines to call in to find services if you aren't talking to a counselor and are unsure how to go about finding one.

    ETA: And all of you do know you are in the GAINING WEIGHT part of the forums where those looking to gain weight (bulkers, ED recoveries) post to get info, right?
  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    OP, I'd recommend setting a schedule and eating at that schedule, no matter what. See a doctor if for whatever reason you cannot physically do it (i.e. get sick) or mentally can't do it (i.e. anorexia-like issues). Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • pankuneho
    pankuneho Posts: 7 Member
    I never understood why my underweight friends were underweight until I spent time a lot of time with them (either a full day, or over a weekend, etc.). (And I have the opposite problem of gaining weight easily). I realized they get so caught up with activities or projects/work that they forget to eat meals. Completely forget! If you are the same, you might try setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to eat your 3 square meals a day. Also, make sure you aren't taking anything that dulls your appetite, like coffee or cigarettes.
  • thinklivebefree
    thinklivebefree Posts: 328 Member
    DRINK ENSURE, NUTRAMENTS GALORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Before anyone can give advice, they may need a little more information about you. How tall are you, what are your normal eating habits, are you recovering from an ED, are you seeing a doctor, is it that you just forget to eat, do you have a healthy relationship with food, basically, the more information you care to share, the better information you'll get in return.

    Otherwise...

    People will just start spouting what they assume your problem is based on their own personal experiences.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    If you have an eating disorder, the best thing to do would be to seek professional help. If you don't have an eating disorder, the best thing to do would still be to seek professional help (and perhaps look into products like Ensure). Either way, I think you're going to accept that you need to eat regardless of your appetite. If you can manage to eat the amount that your body needs, you will probably find that your appetite returns.
  • Fithealthyforlife
    Fithealthyforlife Posts: 866 Member
    Assuming no medical issues (diagnosed or not yet diagnosed) that would cause a decrease in appetite, I've found the best way to stimulate appetite is to eat more meals per day, move around a little every so often if you're not, and do some strength training. Eat soon after you become hungry, and never eat until you're stuffed. I recommend eating a meal of at least 400-500 calories every 2-4 hours.
  • chantels1
    chantels1 Posts: 391 Member
    Before anyone can give advice, they may need a little more information about you. How tall are you, what are your normal eating habits, are you recovering from an ED, are you seeing a doctor, is it that you just forget to eat, do you have a healthy relationship with food, basically, the more information you care to share, the better information you'll get in return.

    Otherwise...

    People will just start spouting what they assume your problem is based on their own personal experiences.

    This is awesome!
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    There are people on MFP trying to recover from eating disorders. Chill with the meth comments and such.

    OP...talk to your physician and see if they can direct you to a registered dietitian. Also seek counseling if you are recovering from an ED if you aren't already. Ask about support groups and hotlines. You can also search for free hotlines to call in to find services if you aren't talking to a counselor and are unsure how to go about finding one.

    ETA: And all of you do know you are in the GAINING WEIGHT part of the forums where those looking to gain weight (bulkers, ED recoveries) post to get info, right?

    This is all fantastic information, I agree with it completely.
  • east2west14
    east2west14 Posts: 161 Member
    There are people on MFP trying to recover from eating disorders. Chill with the meth comments and such.

    OP...talk to your physician and see if they can direct you to a registered dietitian. Also seek counseling if you are recovering from an ED if you aren't already. Ask about support groups and hotlines. You can also search for free hotlines to call in to find services if you aren't talking to a counselor and are unsure how to go about finding one.

    ETA: And all of you do know you are in the GAINING WEIGHT part of the forums where those looking to gain weight (bulkers, ED recoveries) post to get info, right?

    420 is not meth. Just want to put that out there. I didn't see anyone that recommended she'd take meth, maybe I missed it.
  • metacognition
    metacognition Posts: 626 Member
    Do what heavy people avoid doing in order to lose weight.

    1. Drink your calories. Your body can't release a "full" signal in the time it takes to down two glasses of orange juice.

    2. Calorie dense high fat food. Consider homemade weight gainer shakes with things like peanut butter and avocado in them.

    3. High sugar low fiber foods every few hours. They will spike your insulin and leave you hungry quickly after. It's not healthy to do this...

    These are not good habits to have but they make weight gain a breeze if that's what you are looking for.
  • FixIngMe13
    FixIngMe13 Posts: 405 Member
    DRINK ENSURE, NUTRAMENTS GALORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ^ This.

    We use this in the hospital. Especially because of the nutrients and with those that are ill they really need those nutrients, AND it does pack on the weight slowly.

    :flowerforyou: Hope you find your balance. Wishing you the very best.
  • Carmella9
    Carmella9 Posts: 171 Member
    Do the opposite of what most of us are trying to do, set a high calorie goal and make sure you meet it everyday, regardless if you are hungry or not eat whatever you have prepared. You may forget to eat sometimes but when you get in a routine of having breakfast, am snack, lunch, pm snack, dinner, desert youll soon start seeing results (aslong as the food you are eating is fairly high cal).

    Also do you have a very active lifestyle?
    If it persists see your doctor as you could even have an thyroid problem causes you to loose weight
  • Leijing
    Leijing Posts: 21 Member
    I feel your pain. I weigh a little over 90 lbs--and most of that is bone and muscle--and I have had problems of just plain not being hungry. Exercise will help add to your appetite, but that wasn't ever enough for me either.

    Recently I've been trying products from the nutrition company Genesis Pure. Their "Cleanse, Balance, Build" set is liquid nutrients from plants and your body can actually absorb them better than multivitamin tablets. I've been taking them for about a month and I have started to notice that I have more energy and appetite.