Trouble getting enough calories - Help please!

weaveratropos

Hey guys. I've been trying to lose weight for about half my life, and it never really works well (if at all). From everything I've heard, it seems to be because I don't eat ENOUGH food and my body is in a permanent sort of starvation state. Psychologically, I find this an extremely difficult barrier to overcome. All my life, I have just eaten when I'm hungry. Lately, I've been forcing myself to make sure I actually get three meals a day (which balances out to around 1200 calories on average), because left to my own devices, I would only eat 1-2. I estimate that, if I only ate when I'm hungry, I would only eat about 700-900 calories a day.

Obviously this isn't healthy and it isn't going to help me, especially since I'm exercising now. I was hoping someone out there might have overcome the same problem and have some advice for me. How do I get myself to eat when I'm not hungry? I'm a software engineer and I have a bad habit of letting time slip away from me, and meals along with it!

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds!

s1lence

Everyone has different ideas of how to eat, some eat several times a day and some only twice. If you do end up being one that doesn't eat regular meals or snacks try to up your calories for the meals. Simple things that are healthy for you but are high in calories so that you can feel comfortable with the idea of you are eating enough.

Please do more research on the subject. I am not a medical person and I have not done much research on how often one should eat. But forcing yourself to eat because you think that your body is starving is only going to place a larger mental barrier on your weight loss, in my opinion. I wish you luck.

weaveratropos

Made an appointment to talk to the health center people at work and have a metabolic test done.

sdow

Made an appointment to talk to the health center people at work and have a metabolic test done.

Good idea. Maybe you should take your MFP data with you.

sdow

good idea. Maybe you should take your MFP data with you.

k8lyn_235

add some more healthy high calorie foods so you don't have to eat "more" per say, just higher calories. i.e. avocados, peanut butter, whole grain rice/pasta, use olive oil when cooking, full flavored regular mayo..

marpeters

Another part of the losing weight equation is to make sure you are exercising enough. You will boost your metabolism and therefore might be a little more hungry. Try swimming, walking...buy a used DVD or video at the local thrift store. Begin anything just make sure you are moving 6 days a week...starting easier of course. Good luck!

TheAncientMariner

Nuts, nuts, and more nuts. Get some raisins in there. Give oatmeal (especially steel cut oats) a gander. They are calorie dense, filled with protein and healthy fats, and are something crunchy that you can munch on throughout the day and between meals. 600 calories is easy with a handful of almonds, pecans, or pistachios! Good luck!

JupitersGhost

A metabolic test and getting checked out is definitely a good step to take.

Other than that, the only suggestion I have is that you could always add protein powder/shakes in to your day. I struggle to eat breakfast and get enough calories in throughout the day, so I mix protein powder with water every morning. It gets my protein intake up to a reasonable level, adds the extra calories I need and I don't feel like I've had to force myself to eat.

Good luck with everything.

TurnLeftNow

Eat some calorie dense foods; things that pack a lot of calories in small portions. Add nuts, regular dressings, peanut butter, whole bagels... etc. Things like that help a lot.

tabulator32

2 tbsp PB = 200 calories.

I could eat my daily calorie limit within twenty seconds of getting the lid off and I don't even need a spoon.

:noway:

Shayztar

Check out these links. It's the opposite of what you are talking about, because it is exactly what you are talking about. Stay with me here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/512956-tdee-what-is-it-and-why-you-should-not-eat-below-your-bmr
and
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/521728-upping-cals-what-to-expect-why-you-need-patience

Consider that you have hurt your metabolism. You don't feel hungry because your body has no idea when the next full meal is. In order to fix what is bothering you, you might have to eat even when you are not hungry. Pre-plan your meals. Eat at regular times. Set a watch if you need to. Read the links. I have lost weight consistently while eating 1800 calories a day, plus most of my exercise calories. That's close to 2200 calories some days! Just something to read about and see if it works for you. I know 1200 calories was very detrimental to me. That's when I educated myself.

Good luck!

KathyJSR

When my daughter was little, she was diagnosed as failure to thrive - she was TINY. We kept a food diary & the doctors gave us ways to boost calories without adding bulk - eat cream of (fill in the blank) soups instead of broth based soups. Stir sour cream or cheese into dishes. Keep quick snacks on hand - dried fruit, peanut butter & crackers, etc. I realize everyone on this site is trying to lose weight, but for some, being able to gain is a problem.

jjelizalde

Almonds, olive oil, peanut butter, glass of milk and avocado. These are all calorie dense good for you foods.

ShanR77

2 tbsp PB = 200 calories.

I could eat my daily calorie limit within twenty seconds of getting the lid off and I don't even need a spoon.

:noway:

Woohoo! I could do the same...until i think of the sodium then i want to start crying. Love my PB :blushing:

ansonrinesmith

Assuming you are healthy with no thyroid issues....
Take a little more time and listen to your body. If you are exercising, your body will tell you that you need to eat.
I don't believe that anyone is to busy to eat. Yes, sometimes meals get skipped, but this should never be a regular thing.
I've seen people on here who have changed to eating healthy and aren't getting enough calories. I've found that eventually they fall into two categories. They are eating foods that are better for them and make them feel full (lots of healthy veggies and the like), or they are estimating the calories they eat and are not being very accurate. In the end, if you don't have a medical condition, then the combination of calorie reduction and exercise will result in weight loss.

ansonrinesmith

Making your diary public will also help people diagnose your diet with you.

graelwyn

As another poster suggested, I also advise you to get in some bags of nuts - walnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios and seeds too - pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds etc. It is a really easy and nutritious way to up your calories without having to eat loads extra. You could also try protein shakes or some other sort of nutritional shake to get in some extra. Full fat yoghurt, cheese, avocado. There are many ways to get the calories in a healthy manner. A slice of toast or bread with some peanut butter is another way that isn't too much to stomach either.

weaveratropos

Thank you everyone for the advice! I'll definitely pick up some nuts and avocado tomorrow (I love both of them)!