I’m Sorry it’s long, I can’t eat enough to get the proper calorie requirement HELP!!

Londablank · July 26

SORRY REALIZED THERE WAS A BETTER FORUM TO POST THIS. I WISH I COHLD REMOVE IT BUT I CANT.

I’m becoming frustrated and might have to cancel the premium membership. I’m glad we get the free month to figure this out!

I have had a massive weight loss in the last couple years, due to a medication change (not a purposeful one for diet or weight loss). My appetite Massively decreased and then I had all of my teeth removed and what I was able to eat became even More restricted. My teeth were never completed so my food choices are Still limited, so I struggle a bit with choices, but my Biggest problem is I have No Appetite!

My doctor isn’t too worried about my low caloric intake since my blood work is fine (checked every 3 months), I’m coming off of almost all my meds (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetic pills, was insulin dependent. Take Nothing now), have lost 160 pounds, but I’m still obese! Was 360 and now 211, but I am only 5’1”

I’ve been at the same stagnant weight for 4-5 months now and my son referred this app. I started counting calories of all snacks, drinks, and meals. Getting a TRUE count of what I intake. The app has me at a 1200 calorie diet to lose 2 pounds a week, which is less than what I was consistently doing at my constant weight loss for the year and a half prior when my massive weight loss happened, but my doctor said 1-2 pounds a week is ok at my size. Especially since he is constantly monitors my labs.

I make a meal: example today’s lunch 4 oz of GF chicken strips (2 pieces) and one yellow squash (air fried). I used 1 melted tbsp of butter for the coating and seasonings since my calories are so low I’m not too worried about it AND their are less calories in butter than olive oil and most others anyway and I can’t afford the fancy stuff. Plus I prefer the taste of the real thing.

I ate A chicken strip and about half of the squash, it took me 30 minutes to do that, and I was stuffed!! I don’t ever get 3 meals in because I’m NEVER hungry first thing in the morning. Anything on my stomach makes me nauseous when I get up.. I usually have to wait a few hours, then it’s basically lunch time. By the time it’s ready and I’m FINALLY done eating (always been a slow eater), I’m not hungry again until 5 or so and again it’s a super small meal. If I do have a snack or two during the day. It’s 10 pieces of pepperoni and Full. A serving of cheezits is about 30-35, I can only eat about 15. Many times I will just measure out 2 cups of milk and drink on that for about 10 minutes and it works great as a snack for me.

Still Not getting enough calories so the Stupid app won’t give me a weight progress or goal. It just constantly gives me a “you’re not eating enough warning”. I get it that people have eating disorders and mine looks like a SERIOUS Red Flag, does this app stop working if it thinks you Have an eating disorder? I do not want to pay for something that’s going to not let me use the stuff, kick me off, shut down, etc... HOW the Heck can I get myself where my appetite will fit a healthier caloric intake with how small my appetite is?? Bad food has a lot of calories, but good food is low…

AAAHHHHH I’m on the Verge of tears

Michieb125 · July 26

I was just browsing the comments on some discussions today and read about your dilemma of not having an appetite. I’m no expert but I do know there is a physiological connection between the stomach and brain and hunger signals should occur (when a person is eating regular meals) naturally, unless medication is interrupting this.

It sounds to me as if this function is seriously off kilter, and as you say you are not eating much so that is the issue.

The MFP app is great but yes you need to be getting the minimum calories for basic nutrition
levels and are having a hard time with that. Can you enter in some good foods you like (shows calories) and try them?

At minimum, I would start incorporating two Ensures or high protein/high vitamin content drinks each day to get the calories up to 1200. This is easy. You can also add in cheese slices, and one high calorie, nutrient dense and balanced serving of a favorite meal each day, such as spaghetti - maybe 600 calories. This isn’t bad for you. It’s full of macro nutrients.

If you don’t eat for much longer you may have to have to take drastic measures due to declining health in organs and brain. Tell your doctor you may need a temporary appetite stimulant if you cannot do it on your own. But don’t wait too long. He could also send you to a registered dietitian for an eating plan and support.
Good luck!!

Lietchi · July 26

"Bad food has a lot of calories, but good food is low…"

First of all, I don't think we can class individual foods as good or bad as such, it all depends on the whole picture of all the foods you're consuming. Balance is key and less nutritious foods are fine occasionally.

Secondly, it's also not true 😉 nuts, seeds, eggs, avocado, full fat dairy... are nutritious and higher calorie.

As for this app not working If you don't eat enough: the only thing that will happen is that you cannot close your diary and won't get a prediction of your weight in 5 weeks. The prediction is unreliable anyway and closing your diary is entirely optional.

Londablank · July 27

I know when I said “bad food has lots of calories” looks bad, let me explain… I haven’t been able to finish getting my teeth fixed so I have to “gum” my food since my dentures are not permanent.

So hard/tough meats are out of the question. A lot of fruits and veggies are out unless cook them to death. Nothing crunchy or hard at all.

Breads/potatoes/starches of course are Easy foods but all carbs, turn directly to sugars and as a previously insulin dependent diabetic, it’s a road I am SO very cautious about. With no teeth I’m a bit limited. The easy to eat grab and go meals (since they’re so much smaller) are all pretty much starches with some form of gravy/sauce and all of a sudden your at 600+ calories and it’s mostly carbs.

I didn’t think about the drinks though and I like cheese, avocado, and eggs too and those are all soft! Sometimes it gets overwhelming

Lietchi · July 27

Also, il wondering if you've tried stews? Some types of meat get really tender and 'fall apart' after stewing, and you'll have soft veggies and potatoes too if you cook it long enough 🙂

mjbnj0001 · July 27

I hesitate to chime in on what seems to be a major issue with little or background info from you and no pro qualifications on my part, but it does sound as if you've got lots going on. One thing might be your gut microbiome. That's the buzzword concept of the year, but that doesn't mean that it might not be an issue for you. Sometimes, we think "we" (our brain, etc.), are in charge, and we focus on what we do or can do to fix things from a "top-down/outside-in" approach, when, esp. with digestive issues/etc., sometimes our gut microbiome is actually in the pilot seat whispering directives into our brain (metaphorically, of course), impacting our eating habits. Add a specialist gut doctor (gastroenterologist/etc.) to your consultants list, and you might be told, "make your bugs happy and properly hungry and you might find yourself happy and properly hungry too." Meds and whatever can impact the gut balance pretty hard, and no amount of calorie counting and food macro balancing will matter much until they are returned to functioning well. IMHO. Don't trust my amateur and from-a-distance speculation, seek out pro help. I use MFP as a recording tool, a log of how I'm keeping to my plan, and a "fellow travelers" social support group type of forum. But it isn't the whole program for me. BTW, I have heard assertions that it takes a (variably) long time to re-establish a healthy, diverse, balanced gut microbiome after meds have impacted it. It isn't just a matter of eating some live-culture yogurt for a week or anything like that. Good luck.

Londablank · July 27

Thank you I will need to research more about the gut health and talk to my doctor. I actually have an appointment on Tuesday. I will add the drinks in daily and that should help. Thanks for the advice Everyone!!

lisakatz2 · July 27

I'm glad you're seeing a doctor. You need professional (medical) advice. Please keep us posted!

I’m Sorry it’s long, I can’t eat enough to get the proper calorie requirement HELP!!

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