medication, loss of appetite and.. calories??

BeautyFromPain
BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
edited January 3 in Chit-Chat
I try to keep my calories up between 1600-2000. With the amount of exercise I do a day it seems that dropping lower than this causes me to not lose weight.

I just started on a new medication yesterday and have absolutely no appetite. I will feel "hungry" if you can call it that after about 6 hours but then after just a few bites I will feel like I'm stuffed from christmas lunch.

So my question is.. what should I do? To try increase my calories?
I ate 1400ish today but was a few bites at a time and very uncomfortable. Felt like I was eating forever as well.. to try get my calories up I had to have a few bites wait half an hour then have a few more.

I need fuel for my body but what do I do when the car tries to tell me it doesn't want it anymore? :S

Replies

  • seardefilip
    seardefilip Posts: 96
    What medication are you having to take? Is this a permenant thing? I would talk to your doctor about other options-
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    What medication are you having to take? Is this a permenant thing? I would talk to your doctor about other options-

    Sertraline..
    It is not possible for me to come off it anytime soon.
  • eyeforinfo
    eyeforinfo Posts: 7
    I agree - you should discuss your concerns with your doctor.

    In the meantime, I'm thinking calorie density. Perhaps try to make whatever you do eat as calorie dense as possible so even those few bites at a time pack a big punch in terms of fueling your body.

    I truly hope your doctor (or a nutritionist?) can help guide you. Best wishes!
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    I agree - you should discuss your concerns with your doctor.

    In the meantime, I'm thinking calorie density. Perhaps try to make whatever you do eat as calorie dense as possible so even those few bites at a time pack a big punch in terms of fueling your body.

    I truly hope your doctor (or a nutritionist?) can help guide you. Best wishes!

    I have an appointment with him in a week, booked out until then. Looking into what I can/should do in the meantime.
  • SavvyCake
    SavvyCake Posts: 150 Member
    When I first got started on antidepressants years ago, I went through the same thing, and have experienced it again with each med change. What works for me is eating breakfast cereal. Sometimes I couldn't even handle having it with milk, but even then, it's still pretty nutritious for something that is super-easy on the belly. People would say, "Oh, eat crackers or toast" but that doesn't really have any nutrition at all. Cereal is mostly empty cals too, but at least it still has fiber, vitamins, minerals, and some amounts of protein, calcium, and iron. Might be worth a shot?
  • SavvyCake
    SavvyCake Posts: 150 Member
    Also, I'd keep plenty near me at all times, so that if I got "full" after only eating a few bites, in 15 or 20 minutes I'd eat a couple more bites.
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    When I first got started on antidepressants years ago, I went through the same thing, and have experienced it again with each med change. What works for me is eating breakfast cereal. Sometimes I couldn't even handle having it with milk, but even then, it's still pretty nutritious for something that is super-easy on the belly. People would say, "Oh, eat crackers or toast" but that doesn't really have any nutrition at all. Cereal is mostly empty cals too, but at least it still has fiber, vitamins, minerals, and some amounts of protein, calcium, and iron. Might be worth a shot?

    Will try- thanks :)
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