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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
ARGH!
I have hunger. But I have no appetite.
So I'm starving, but nothing sounds good, nothing at all.
I can't drink slim-fast, and most granola and nutrition bars are too sweet and/or too damn expensive.I'm actually nauseous right now, cuz I need to eat, but the granola bar I'm eating is too sweet and the only thing that sound good is coffee but that's not enuf for breakfast and I don't have time to go the "eggs and toast" route.
I'm heavy enuf that skipping a meal here and there certainly won't hurt me, and I take lots of vitamins.What do you do to shut your belly up??
thanks,
sl
Posted by mopey on February 24, 2003, at 16:36:16
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
are you on meds that might be affecting your eating? or is your change in eating pattern a sign that depression is on the scene?
i find i eat nonstop when i'm depressed....
if you don't feel like eating, could you manage a slice of toast to take the edge off your hunger? perhaps then you could think of a food that appeals. i often eat snack-like mini-meals throughout the day -- but relatively healthy ones, like peanut butter on crackers or a banana, or perhaps a handful of nuts.
sorry, not a scientific answer, but hope it helps.
Posted by juanantoniod on February 24, 2003, at 17:20:28
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
I have the same problem, I could go all day without eating except for the hunger. One of my solutions is chocolate/vanilla swirl pudding cups with whipped cream from a can squirted into them, or tapioca pudding cups with chocolate whipped cream from a can squirted into them. Hey, not the most healthy but at least it's food and sometimes it's the only thing I can eat. It may be too sweet for you, but I don't like the things you mentioned either, but this isn't that sweet to me.
If you want to go with a healthier alternative, try Myoplex RTD (Ready To Drink). They are a nutrition shake developed for bodybuilding, but the RTDs aren't that sweet and goopy like the others usually are. You can look them up at www.eas.com.
Hope this is helpful in some way, even if only to say, 'I hear ya'.
Antonio
> ARGH!
> I have hunger. But I have no appetite.
> So I'm starving, but nothing sounds good, nothing at all.
> I can't drink slim-fast, and most granola and nutrition bars are too sweet and/or too damn expensive.
>
> I'm actually nauseous right now, cuz I need to eat, but the granola bar I'm eating is too sweet and the only thing that sound good is coffee but that's not enuf for breakfast and I don't have time to go the "eggs and toast" route.
> I'm heavy enuf that skipping a meal here and there certainly won't hurt me, and I take lots of vitamins.
>
> What do you do to shut your belly up??
>
> thanks,
> sl
>
Posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 20:08:16
In reply to Re: Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by mopey on February 24, 2003, at 16:36:16
> are you on meds that might be affecting your eating? or is your change in eating pattern a sign that depression is on the scene?
Oh, it's all of the above, I'm sure.
The Trazodone seems to be affecting my hunger-levels but not really consistently, I'm usually hungry in the morning but not-so-much at night. Which is fine with me, but I gotta find something filling for breakfast, cuz my old "coffee and granola bar" breakfasts aren't working.> i find i eat nonstop when i'm depressed....
I used to. Not lately. I think it might be the zinc supplement or the Trazodone.
> if you don't feel like eating, could you manage a slice of toast to take the edge off your hunger? perhaps then you could think of a food that appeals. i often eat snack-like mini-meals throughout the day -- but relatively healthy ones, like peanut butter on crackers or a banana, or perhaps a handful of nuts.
Mostly the stuff that sounds good is expensive and requires going out to eat. And I can't afford to keep doing that, but I don't have the energy to cook it all myself. Nuts...I should start eating nuts and pb again. Maybe on the ever-present granola bars. :P
> sorry, not a scientific answer, but hope it helps.
Good enuf for me. ;)
thanks!
Posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 20:14:24
In reply to Re: Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by juanantoniod on February 24, 2003, at 17:20:28
> If you want to go with a healthier alternative, try Myoplex RTD (Ready To Drink). They are a nutrition shake developed for bodybuilding, but the RTDs aren't that sweet and goopy like the others usually are. You can look them up at www.eas.com.
I did...it LOOKS like that company doesn't make anything non-dairy, but I'll check it out at my local GNC. It's a really good idea, I just need to find something without milk.
> Hope this is helpful in some way, even if only to say, 'I hear ya'.
Yeah, thanks! :)
Posted by noa on February 24, 2003, at 21:13:01
In reply to Re: Appetite vs. Hunger! » mopey, posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 20:08:16
ZINC--when I've used Zinc losenges for colds, it definitely makes my appetite go away and causes slight nausea.
I sometimes have that where I'm hungry but not in the mood for anything that is available. Usually, I will drink some water and wait a while and usually my appetite comes back somewhat. But for me, the periods without appetite are well enough balanced by the times when I have a huge appetite.
Posted by male34 on February 25, 2003, at 7:25:06
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
EAS ,SIMPLY PROTIEN ,it powder mix taste great no suger no carbs and its great ,wont gain weight will stay lean, different flavors
Posted by IsoM on February 25, 2003, at 14:46:42
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
sl, I'd advise trying to get enough food in you as your body will adjust for your starvation level intake & adjust appropriately. This means you won't lose much weight & will only eat up using a certain amount of fat as fuel (leading to higher levels of ketones as a by-product, it slowly poisons your system) & burning body protein too.
When I feel nauseated, veggies are the one thing that won't make me feel worse. Nothing fancy - raw or lightly steamed. A suggestion:
ONce a week, buy a few diff vegetables you like & clean, prepare & chop them. You can do it while watching a TV show on the weekend - it's relaxing. Put them in various ziploc baggies along with a pinch of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) powder & shake to distribute it evenly. The vitamin C will prevent oxidation (browning & spoiling) for about a week. You'll have a ready supply of veggies for the week to snack on or stir-fry, whatever you have energy for. You can do it with diff fruit, except bananas, too.The vitamins, minerals, & phytonutrients will slowly make you feel better allround, & stop that starving feeling. It's not like a hot meal that needs to be eaten immediately either. You can snack as you feel like it.
There's pita or soft flat breads that taste good dipped in some of the healthy dips that you can buy - tzatziki or humus types. They provide a lot of food value too without adding to your weight. Just don't buy the extra rich types. A cheddar cheese dip is good too.
Posted by male34 on February 25, 2003, at 17:00:26
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
quick note food and water is brain food keep in mind starving the body is starving the brain get something in the belly every 3-4 hours ,
Posted by viridis on February 25, 2003, at 20:13:38
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
When I slip into depression, I completely lose my appetite, and things that normally taste good to me taste awful. I've sometimes lost over 20 lbs in a month -- definitely not healthy, since I'm not substantially overweight (although I could stand to lose a few pounds).
I try to maintain a reasonably balanced diet when this occurs, although it's a struggle -- the things I've found tolerable are vegetables (prepared simply, as IsoM said, and as great a variety as possible); soy milk (helpful for protein intake); fruit juices (in moderation); nuts (sometimes); fish and chicken (prepared simply, not fried); and bananas, which I normally dislike, but are bland, reasonably filling and somewhat nutritious. Avoid dairy foods if your stomach is upset, although a little low-fat milk probably won't hurt if you can tolerate it, and it supplies many nutrients.
It's good to hear that you're taking vitamin supplements. Also, don't discount fish oil (although go easy if you have nausea). It may help you feel better in general, and supplies the omega-3 fatty acids that many people appear to be deficient in.
Good luck!
Posted by noa on February 26, 2003, at 4:46:08
In reply to Re: Appetite vs. Hunger! » sl, posted by IsoM on February 25, 2003, at 14:46:42
Re Vegies--true for me, too. Sometimes, when I'm not sure what I want to eat, but am hungry, if I have a ready raw vegie to munch on, that works. And I'm pretty lazy about cutting and washing, but there are options for lazy folk like me. I sometimes buy the pre-cut celery or broccoli and cauliflower from the supermarket. Sometimes I'll buy a whole cauliflower, just break off pieces from it as I go, or sometimes, I buy a small head of red cabbage and just cut in half and munch on that. Red cabbage is so easy because all you have to do is peal off the outer layers of leaves. Or, the little pre-washed carrots are good, too.
Posted by bluedog on February 26, 2003, at 21:29:58
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
Just like baby food
Hello sl
Whenever I have the problem your going through I throw in the most nutritious concoction of ingredients that I can come up with into my blender and puree my meal with Soy milk so that I can DRINK my meal rather than EAT my meal.
I find it helps enormously If I'm hungry and need nutrition but can't eat normally. I get this particularly when I'm suffering from my anxiety symptoms.
Here's an example of some of the ingredients I'll throw into my blender to give me some nutrition
-Banana
-Apple
-Linseeds (flaxseeds)
-Organic rolled oats
-A handful of almonds
-A handful of RAW cashews (roasted cashews are not healthy because the natural healthy fats have been altered by the heat process)
-Pumpkin Seeds
-Whatever else takes your fancy (eg tomato, carrot or other vegetables you normally like)I normally sweeten the whole thing with honey or maple syrup and then add JUST enough soy molk so that it's thick but still able to be drunk out of a glass rather than actually eaten.
I hope this tip helps you a little
By the way I actually had that feeling your talking about just this morning as I'm feeling a little anxious so the above concoction actually served as my breakfast this morning :)
Good luck
bluedog
Posted by syringachalet on February 27, 2003, at 13:02:52
In reply to Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by sl on February 24, 2003, at 9:10:07
sl,
I find that simple is best when you are not.
I have been known to eat cereal and milk for supper.( A whole grain cereal and milk are a complete protein and take no more trouble than pour and eat).
I also eat canned soup, chili or stew and a piece of toast sometimes with a slice of cheese.
I have a friend who is a nuts and tigs kind of gal and she takes two pieces of whole wheat toast and puts a Reeses peanut butter cup in between them and squishes it together. The whole grain toast and the peanut butter make a good source of protein and fiber and the small amount of chocolate that coats the Reeses just makes it fun.
( Did you know that a 12 oz bags of Reeses peanut butter cups have less fat than most sweetened granola bars or cereals?)
Just a thought... take care.syringachalet
Posted by noa on February 27, 2003, at 17:33:24
In reply to Re: Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by syringachalet on February 27, 2003, at 13:02:52
I eat cereal and milk for lunch or dinner fairly often! Sometimes it IS the only thing I can imagine being up for.
I learned from my mom that it is ok to eat cereal and milk for dinner. She would sometimes do that herself. She would cook the regular "balanced" meal for the rest of us and then just eat a bowl of cereal and milk herself. Funny, none of us kids ever asked to eat the cereal instead of the regular dinner food. Wonder if she would have let us if we had!
Posted by sl on February 28, 2003, at 21:38:59
In reply to Re: Appetite vs. Hunger! , posted by noa on February 27, 2003, at 17:33:24
(well actually milk and cerael would probably make me sick to my stomach, milk usually does, but I see your point.)
thank you all for the good ideas! :)
sl
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