not eating enough, but im not hungry?

aribugg

I eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack through out the day. but im still not getting enough calories in. I tried forcing myself to get at least 1,000 calories, and i went a little over but i felt sick and over fed.
I am working on speeding up my metabolism, and i believe it's working because the need for a snack per day is fairly new.
I've tried six small meals a day, and it didn't work. I ended up gaining more weight, and getting sicker.
If im already eating three meals a day, and eating until im full, how am i supposed to get more calories in without making myself sick?

jonnythan

Based on a quick review of your diary, you are not logging consistently. It's difficult to give specific advice when we can't see what you're eating.

You definitely need to eat more, but your first priority needs to be accurate logging. Purchase a food scale (there are quality digital units for as little as $10 on Amazon) and focus on making your diary an accurate representation of the things you actually eat. Don't use Quick Add Calories.

Beyond that, your nutrient goals appear reasonable. They're there for a reason - meet them. The protein and fat goals should be considered minimums; don't worry about the carb, sodium, or sugar goal unless you have a known medical condition that requires you to monitor them. Meet your calorie goal, every day. This shouldn't be hard, assuming you aren't trying to limit your diet to super-low-fat or "healthy" or "diet" foods. One big spoonful of peanut butter is 200+ calories by itself; I certainly don't think that you're constantly so full you can't fit that in.

mschicagocubs

It is hard to help when you use quick add calories for a lot of your foods. So I can't really see what you are eating and possibly what is causing you to feel sick.

It might be simply you are not eating enough and your body is mad at you! Try eating higher calorie snacks ... yogurt and granola is a good option.

aribugg

I am going to stop using quick add so much. I need a high carb, low refined sugar diet, because i have hypoglycemic seizures. But these aren't new things to me, it's all this calorie stuff that has me confused >.<

jonnythan

I am going to stop using quick add so much. I need a high carb, low refined sugar diet, because i have hypoglycemic seizures. But these aren't new things to me, it's all this calorie stuff that has me confused >.<

If you have seizure issues related to food, you should be speaking to your physician or RD about how to eat to lose weight. None of us are qualified to help you with that, really. Assuming your physician and/or RD give you appropriate nutrient goals or guidelines that you share, we can help you meet those goals.

Honestly, I'd expect that if you experience low blood sugar-related seizures, the last thing you want to be doing is severe calorie restriction like you're doing now. Healthy bodies are pretty good at maintaining blood sugar levels during calorie deficit, but if you have problems doing that normally you want to be really careful with how you diet. I'd strongly suggest you up your calorie intake significantly in the short term until you speak to a professional about what to be aware of while losing weight with whatever medical issues you currently have.

aribugg

He didn't really give me specific nutrients goals. he just lectured me for being fat, told me to eat six smalls meals a day, then lectured me for being fatter.

mschicagocubs

Aw hun, sounds like you need a new doctor that will help you reach healthy nutrition goals!

jonnythan

He didn't really give me specific nutrients goals. he just lectured me for being fat, told me to eat six smalls meals a day, then lectured me for being fatter.

You should look into making an appointment with a registered dietitian. Physicians are often not well-educated in nutrition at all.

If you call the doctor's office, they will send you a full copy of all your medical records. Take these to the RD. Chances are your insurance will cover the RD visit with a doctor's referral, so ask for one when you call about the records.

aribugg

Tell me about it lol. but insurance and all. The doctor himself isn't bad, but it's rare we get to see him, we normally end up talking to his side kick from hell.

aribugg

He didn't really give me specific nutrients goals. he just lectured me for being fat, told me to eat six smalls meals a day, then lectured me for being fatter.

You should look into making an appointment with a registered dietitian. Physicians are often not well-educated in nutrition at all.

If you call the doctor's office, they will send you a full copy of all your medical records. Take these to the RD. Chances are your insurance will cover the RD visit with a doctor's referral, so ask for one when you call about the records.

I didnt know i could do that! thank you!

jonnythan

He didn't really give me specific nutrients goals. he just lectured me for being fat, told me to eat six smalls meals a day, then lectured me for being fatter.

You should look into making an appointment with a registered dietitian. Physicians are often not well-educated in nutrition at all.

If you call the doctor's office, they will send you a full copy of all your medical records. Take these to the RD. Chances are your insurance will cover the RD visit with a doctor's referral, so ask for one when you call about the records.

I didnt know i could do that! thank you!

First thing I would do is call my insurance company (follow prompts for benefits, or whatever) and tell them I have a blood sugar issue and am curious about what sort of coverage I get for nutrition-related services; specifically a registered dietitian.

Then I'd call the doctor's office and say "I was treated at your office by Dr Whatever for a blood sugar issue about XX months ago. I'm making an appointment to see a registered dietitian to help me devise a food plan and would like you to send a copy of all my medical records to me please." If you have a fax number they can probably fax, but you'll probably either have to wait for it to come in the mail or go pick it up at the office. Also ask for a referral if your insurance tells you that you need one.

Then take the records to the RD and the RD will help you. Tell the RD that you are a member of MyFitnessPal and you are using the site to log your food and count calories and nutrients. If you have a smartphone bring it with you because they may like to see what you've been logging.

Good luck!

aribugg

I have a question about the exercise and the Net MFP gives us, what should that look like through out the day? It's gotten to be a pretty scary thing for me, but clearly i dont know what im doing lol. where should the balance between eating and exercise be?

jonnythan

I have a question about the exercise and the Net MFP gives us, what should that look like through out the day? It's gotten to be a pretty scary thing for me, but clearly i dont know what im doing lol. where should the balance between eating and exercise be?

You should be eating back your exercise calories. You want the "remaining calories" to be roughly zero at the end of the day. Your "net calories" at the end of the day should be your goal, which is 1450.

So "Food" minus "exercise" should equal the goal of 1450. If your exercise is 0, food should be 1450. If you do 200 calories of exercise, your food should be 1650 (1650 - 200 = 1450).

aribugg

oohh I see. Alright, thanks again! So i guess for now I'll try to relax about calories, add in another snack through out the day and see where that gets me to start off. I get a little nervous if a meal gets me 300+ calories, i've got to learn to relax some.

jonnythan

I get a little nervous if a meal gets me 300+ calories, i've got to learn to relax some.

That sort of thinking leads to eating disorders. Seriously. Eat your calories, and eat all of them. I think this is very important for you. Peanut butter, milk, cheese, ice cream, nuts, avocado, etc are all great ways to get extra calories.

aribugg

I'm trying to get better and relax about things. This is why i want to learn more, and see how things are supposed to be done. maybe then it won't be so scary. What would be too many calories in one meal?

jonnythan

I'm trying to get better and relax about things. This is why i want to learn more, and see how things are supposed to be done. maybe then it won't be so scary. What would be too many calories in one meal?

I know several people who eat literally all their daily calories in a single meal. So if you did 200 calories of exercise one day, then 1650 calories is the most you should eat in a meal because going over that means going over your total daily intake.

But most people don't do that. The most calories you should eat in one meal is however many you want, as long as you don't go over your total for the day.

Compliance is what matters most. Some people like a big breakfast, some don't. If I eat 1200 calories at breakfast I'm starving the rest of the day and there's no way I'll be able to hit my goal. But sometimes I'm OK if I eat 250 calories at breakfast and then 1500 at dinner.

If I were personally working with 1450 calories, I'd probably look at 250 for breakfast, 350 for lunch, 600 for dinner, and 250 for dessert. Roughly; that can alter depending on how I feel.

In general it doesn't matter how often you eat or how many calories you get in a given meal. However, since you have blood sugar issues it might matter. It might matter a lot. So definitely speak with a professional before you do anything unusual.

aribugg

Alright, thank you