Do I have a problem?

[Guest Shaylee Alexandra Parks]

For the last 5 or 6 months my friends and boyfriend have said I've been slowly eating less and less.

For example: I don't eat for hours after I get hungry and when I do eat I only eat half a sandwich at most. I don't really see this as a problem I just don't feel the need to eat after that half a sandwich. So....do I have a problem? This has been consistent for a good 2 or 3 months buy my appetite has slowly decreased over that 5 or 6 month period.

[Guest KimberlyF]

This is something to take up with a doctor. Eating less isnt in itself a problem. Not eating enough for your body or not eating a good mix is.

[Guest Holly S]

A good rule of thumb: if other, trustworthy people, tell you to eat more/better, do so. It's so easy to go with your instincts, and then only realise when it's too late. Of course, maybe your body is going through a stage of really low, natural metabolism. Which is fine. Oh, and don't trust those scales either, there was a time when I lived mainly off ice cream for a month, and I lost weight - doesn't mean you're getting any wealthier.

My advice: work out the calorific values, nutriitional values that YOU need per day, and then make sure you exceed them a tiny bit. Of course, talking to the doctor is the best way to work out those values, but I'm sure that there are things online where you put in your age etc and it gives you a load of rough values.

By the way, is the issue that you just can't be bothered to eat any more? E.g. it's lunch time, there's ham and bread out, but you decide to have a cookie or two instead? If that's the case, try and make what you eat exciting and new every meal, like one day put loads of chilli in a sandwich, the next day make a salad with refried leftovers. Just spice it all up. Worked for me .

Hugs,

Holly

[Guest Zeda]

I would personally be concerned if my diet started looking like that. My diet gets like that under three conditions: When I am sick, when I am stressed, or when I am engrossed in one of my hobbies. As long as you are making sure you get the right nutrition, though, you should be fine. It could also be that you aren't growing as much. I noticed that when I stopped growing and whatnot that my diet went from about 6000 calories a day to about 3000.

[Guest Shaylee Alexandra Parks]

Sorry I probably should have made it more clear, I basically REFUSE to eat after that. Unless I'm with other people. Then I try to eat more so they don't worry as much.

[Guest Elandili_Aier]

Shaylee, you do need to be eating more. There are days when you're hungry and refuse to eat. I know you aren't happy with yourself right now, but you're not going about it the right way. Not eating all day except for a half of a sandwich isn't healthy. It worries me when you refuse to eat.

[Guest MsGsptlsnz]

Appetite is a strange thing in humans. Fundimentaly it is based on your body's perception of how much energy and nutrients are available in the bloodstream, not neccesarily if the stomach is filled. That's why often a good bowl of soup is so satisfying, it's easy for the nutrients and calories to get digested so your body is happy with less food. A full stomach feeling is secondary to that, which is why after a large salad you may feel "full" in the belly but still want to snack on something with carbs. Also emotions can play on your appetite. Some people eat more when depressed, others eat less. My wife eats her feelings away, so she weighs over 300 pounds. You might be one whose appetite diminsihes with depression. I'm that way. When I feel down I just don't feel hungry. My emotions overide my body telling me I'm hungry. Then eventualy I eat so much I feel like I'm going to burst.

If you are eating less be sure to eat smart. Eat more "super foods" and less filler. Keep more nuts and fruits around for the compact nutrition and make sure to have a couple eggs each day for protein. Find a good meal replacement shake and drink one of those with lunch. Avoid high carb, low nutrition snacks as those will mess with your bodies feeling of satifaction. You get the sugars for energy but no nutrition for the body, but the blood sugar feedback cycle still thinks you are ok.

You should talk to a doctor and perhaps a therapist too. Depression can be a sneeky thing and you may not notice it at first. This may be a symptom of depression and there are some very good meds for it. I should know, I'm on them. They help a lot. But in the end you are the only one who can really say if you are getting what your body needs. If you feel like you have the right amount of energy, you are sleeping good and your mind is clear then you are problaby ok. But make sure to get a well balanced diet while cutting down intake because your body needs protein and fats to build muscle and nerve tissue. You need minerals for strong bones and healthy organ function and you need those carbs and fats for energy.

Be well.