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No Appetite on Medication... Help!

52cardpickup
52cardpickup Posts: 379 Member
edited February 11 in Motivation and Support
I started a new medication a while ago, and it suppresses my appetite something fierce. While this may be GREAT for weight loss, I am having a really difficult time meeting my calorie goals for the day, and therefore often do not have enough energy to complete a workout without collapsing. I had been working out consistently before, so it's not that the exercise is too strenuous. Not working out is not an option either: I've been "skinny" before, and I look like a skeleton, so I definitely want to tone rather than just losing fat.

Does anyone have any tips for eating more calories without eating junk? I feel like I need a high calorie, nutritionally dense food to help me reach my calorie goals and to help me feel better when I'm working out.

Replies

  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Whole milk, protein shakes made with whole milk, peanut butter, avocados, nuts, cheese, whole fat greek yogurt.....

    You really should force yourself to eat and meet your calorie goals.
  • ebayaddict0127
    ebayaddict0127 Posts: 523 Member
    I too started a medication that diminishes my appetite. I'm taking Nuvigil (not sure what you're taking) and am struggling to meet 1200 calories a day. I have a lot of weight to lose, but also don't want to sabotage my diet by starving myself. I asked the same question and everyone said to either have liquid calories (shakes, smoothies) or to eat full calorie/fat foods and not diet.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Some more high calorie ideas: seeds (eg sunflower, pumpkin, sesame), nut butters, dark chocolate, eggs, olive oil (on salads, use extra in cooking), oily fish, houmous, dried fruit. Not sure what you count as "junk", but all of those are nutritious as well as higher in calories. If you're eating anything "diet" or "lite", switch to the regular versions. If you eat skinless chicken breasts, switch to skin-on chicken thighs or other higher fat meats.

    You could also try making some protein bars. I've been experimenting with some recipes, trying to get them as low calorie/high protein as possible, but it would be easy to take a lower calorie recipe (google) for protein bars or energy bars and add in lots of calories with eg. flax seeds or peanut butter.
  • AestheticMike
    AestheticMike Posts: 8
    There are a few additional factors to consider (the idea of high calorie, regular fat foods, shakes, etc. are all great ideas).

    First, try to get a feel for timing on appetite suppression when you're taking the meds (depending on what medication you're on and the frequency you're taking it, you may have some windows prior to your "next dose" when your suppression isn't quite as bad). Additionally, you can work on your meal frequency - there are a lot of conflicting reports in the fields of diet and nutrition regarding meal frequency for weight-loss, but similar arguments can be made for timing in your situation. If you're only eating a few times daily, you may find that you do better if you kind of "graze" continuously throughout the day. I just wanted to add the ideas of meal frequency and meal timing to your toolbox as you approach things. Best of luck!
  • 52cardpickup
    52cardpickup Posts: 379 Member
    I'm on 1500mg of Keppra per day, which I take all at once (if I take one pill in the morning and one at night, then I never eat). I thought the suppression would go away after a while, but I've been at this dose for almost a year and it hasn't changed at all. I will definitely try incorporating those foods and grazing. I'm already not eating "diet" foods, so I'll add in the nuts and oils and such! Any tips on protein powders at all?
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