Is it bad I'm NOT hungry?

sdawnpat
sdawnpat Posts: 7
in Health and Weight Loss
I have a habit of usually not getting over 1,000 calories, and today I've only had 437. I don't feel hungry at all and I sort of feel like I've at a lot. But I'm worried that I'll go into "starvation mode" and damage my body, but is that REALLY a problem if I'm not hungry?

Replies

  • Arranna1212
    Arranna1212 Posts: 143 Member
    Yes it is a problem. Your organs will not be able to function properly and you will start getting very light headed. I know, because I have recently went through this. Is it because your stomach hurts when you try to eat, nothing sounds good, are you forgetting to eat? Because not being hungry is just not the answer... I ended up having to take some meds to clear my stomach out and now I'm hungry again. NOT eating, is NOT good.
  • SKME2013
    SKME2013 Posts: 704 Member
    Did you calculate your BMR and TDEE? I think, but I am no doctor, that if you occassionally eat like you did today it is no problem at all, but not in the longer term.
    Stef.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    Yes it's a problem. You are eating so little that you've shut off the feedback mechanisms that regulate hunger. This does not mean your body is not starving. Follow MFP guidelines on how much to eat, the minimum intake MFP ever recommends is 1200. Start eating more and you'll find you appetite comes back.
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    That's a big problem if it's a frequent occurrence. Ongoing loss of appetite could be related to another medical issue. On top of that, feeling 'hungry' is a signal that your body can actually stop sending, especially if you frequently deprive it of calories. Feeling hungry, or lack of hunger is not an accurate measure of if you're eating enough. You need to eat more. Many people will find their appetite returns/increases as they increase their calorie intake to a more suitable level.
  • freemystery
    freemystery Posts: 184 Member
    So short answer, no. It's not bad that you're not hungry.

    HOWEVER
    Just because you're not feeling hungry doesn't mean you need to eat.
    The opposite is also true- Just because you're hungry doesn't mean you need to eat.

    So a 500cal day isn't bad in itself.
    However your habit of staying under 1000 is going to do long term harm to your metabolism at the very least. Just stick to the guidelines and don't fall for the weight loss philosophy that if less food is good, no food is better. What you're doing isn't sustainable long term. Again, the world isn't going to end, I'm hoping you don't sabotage yourself in the long term for the sake of being in your comfort zone.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Hunger is not the best indicator of what the body needs.

    If you consistently stay under 1200 calories you will have issues with energy levels, hair falling out, lethargic, sleep issues, etc.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I have a habit of usually not getting over 1,000 calories, and today I've only had 437. I don't feel hungry at all and I sort of feel like I've at a lot. But I'm worried that I'll go into "starvation mode" and damage my body, but is that REALLY a problem if I'm not hungry?
    How did you put on weight? My guess is by eating when you weren't hungry. When you reduce your calories to the extreme frequently people will not get hunger signals. Eat some food have some smoothies get some calories in you. When you start eating a healthy amount you will find that over time your hunger signals will return.

    Do you want to lose weight or be healthy? Getting to a healthy weight is part of being healthy but so is eating enough food to sustain your body. So my advice go and eat some food
  • arguablysamson
    arguablysamson Posts: 1,709 Member
    I have a habit of usually not getting over 1,000 calories, and today I've only had 437. I don't feel hungry at all and I sort of feel like I've at a lot. But I'm worried that I'll go into "starvation mode" and damage my body, but is that REALLY a problem if I'm not hungry?

    Well, there are various reasons for not wanting to eat. One is being sick. Another is going through a natural period of stress or other biological reason where your body instinctively gets you to cut back. In the short term, this isn't a problem. If you force yourself to eat when you are not hungry, you usually do damage.

    Do not drop less than 1,100 calories or you will run into some long range problems. "Starvation mode" is a myth. There is a "preservation mode," but it takes days to dip into that and it comes from multiple forms of trauma, not a day or two of low calories.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Hunger is not the best indicator of what the body needs.

    If you consistently stay under 1200 calories you will have issues with energy levels, hair falling out, lethargic, sleep issues, etc.

    This. Of course, you could be eating more, do you weigh your food?
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    I have a habit of usually not getting over 1,000 calories, and today I've only had 437. I don't feel hungry at all and I sort of feel like I've at a lot. But I'm worried that I'll go into "starvation mode" and damage my body, but is that REALLY a problem if I'm not hungry?

    Thats because your body is catabolizing itself!
    Yay for failing!

    Listen, get help for your issues and do it sooner than later.
    Hire a nutritionist and possibly a therapist if you have disordered eating habits.

    I'll paint you a picture!
    You at 50, a shiny wheelchair or motorized scooter.
    Your significant other shaking his head saying "I don't think you have the strength to stand today sweety! I'll pick you up and walk you to the toilet!"

    Awesome huh?!
  • sdawnpat
    sdawnpat Posts: 7
    I understand. I honestly just didn't think it was a problem because I haven't been hungry. I'm not doing it purposely to lose more weight or anything, promise lol. But I do understand that I definitely need to eat more. And just pointing this out for some people, I put on weight like everyone else, by over eating. It's when I started counting calories it dropped. My guess was because I was more aware of what I was eating maybe? And yes I do weigh my food.
  • loubidy
    loubidy Posts: 440 Member
    You don't need to feel hungry to eat. If you can convince yourself that even on an off day your body NEEDS at least 1000kcals (though on good days 1200kcals minimum) just eat something you want to bump your calories it doesn't always have to be nutrient dense. Chocolate? Pudding? Fat coke?
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    If it is a day or two of eating almost nothing, it is not a big concern, you could be ill, tired, stressed. As long as it is just a day here and there, it happens, same as overeating happens. But if you are for long periods of time around 1000 or below, no this is not normal, and you risk your health by doing so. Maybe it is time to talk to your dr.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    Once in awhile, it's fine. However, lack of appetite is a side effect of VLCDs and of drastically reducing your intake. (VLCDs are anything lower than 800/day, so you may be right on the edge of that). You're causing your lack of hunger by eating an unsafe number of calories if you're consistently under 1000. No matter what your hunger cues are telling you, your body can't consistently function on that low of an intake.
  • eimaj5575
    eimaj5575 Posts: 278 Member
    Does your diet consist of alot of protein? I found that when I tried to up my protein i could not eat, I was never hungry and had to force myself to eat. I was stuffed all day and wasnt getting enough food bc of it. I stop it bc I didnt wanna feel grossly stuffed like that all the time and I wanted to want food again lol. Just a experience I had.

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