I'm hungry, but I have no apetite. Nothing sounds good. Should I force myself to eat anyway? I haven't been eating breakfast, and if I do it's just a handfull of almonds and some coffee. Is this just a phase? Whatcha think......

Nellie

You need to eat at least 3 meals a day, especially if you are not hungry. Your body needs calories from fat and protein to maintain it's functions, too little and the body will think it's starving and hold on to all the fat to stay alive longer. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Make sure you eat a good portion of protein in the morning. Some people like to make protein shakes for breakfast. You could check out for some recipes.

Elihnig

If you're having a hard time eating 3 regular size meals, try 5 or 6 smaller ones. Try not to skip meals...it's not good for your body or your metabolism. Better to eat a small meal than none at all. Decreased appetite is a benefit of low carbing...you're not so hungry all the time that you can't control your cravings, but don't let it keep you from eating regularly. Dr. Atkins recommends never going more than 5 waking hours without eating something, even if it's a small protein snack.

Definitely EAT!!!!

The smaller meals are an excellent idea! I've struggled with this for the entire time LCing....... but I eat 4-5 times a day and thats easier. To make this work.... you have to get in the food.

Lots of luck! Ellie

Nellie, believe me I know from experience:

TOO LITTLE EATING MEANS NO POUNDS LOST!!

Boil some eggs, cut some raw veggies, or package some 1/4 servings of nuts. Anything to keep those calories up. I know it's hard when nothing sounds good, I too have looked over and over for something that catches my eye...and eventually I just eat whatever! LOL

If you are hungry, but have no appetite, you need to force yourself to eat. You are falling into a cycle that can lead to depression or may already be a symptom of depression. And as all the others have said, not eating will make your body go into starvation mode and hold onto all of its reserves.

Evaluate how you are feeling otherwise, also. Eating a good breakfast will actually make you feel better during the day. I find if I skip breakfast, I just can't get it going throughout the day.

I have a concoction called Joe's Special every day for breakfast:

2 tbl butter
chopped onions
sliced mushrooms
1/3 10oz pkg frozen chopped spinach
1/4 pound hamburger
2 eggs

I add each item to the skillet and saute for a minute or two before adding the next item. It doesn't take long to fix and is very filling and starts my day off right.

Hope this helps.

;-Deb

Thanks for all your suggestions! I have been doing better. I have started eating non-breakfastie type stuff for breakfast. I make a killer turkey, broccoli and cheese soup. That is nice on a cold morning. I just can't look another egg in the face! I am so sick of eggs!
Someone had mentioned watching out for depression, not a problem! I've been on Zoloft for years (wonderful stuff).

Nellie

I'm glad it's not depression. And eating non-breakfast foods is a great idea. Before I started low-carbing, I couldn't handle eggs for breakfast. Whenever I went to breakfast with my parents, I always ordered off the lunch menu. The people at the restaurant (we always went to the same one) got very used to it. (BTW: My parents have moved away and that's why we stopped going to breakfast all the time )

;-Deb

Nellie, I've gone through the same thing (I'm sure many of us have). All the advice you've gotten so far is right on, I think.

I remember once not eating enough and getting very light headed. I really couldn't imagine anything I wanted to eat. I had no energy, felt really awful -- this was after several days of probably eating 1000 calories. Not trying to cut down on calories, but that's all I wanted.

I've gone the small meals route too. For some stupid reason, I can eat three slices of bacon for "breakfast" when I'm not at all hungry and then, in an hour or two, be quite hungry for the eggs -- or something else.

Good luck! Glad you asked

What's "breakfast food?" Even before LCing, my morning food has generally been a hunk of cheese, luncheon meat, or last night's cold leftovers. (I didn't buy cereal because a box would barely last a day. )