forcing myself to eat

[bhandywi]

The past 3 days I have literally had to force myself to eat. It sounds like a dream come true, but is actually a little disturbing. I started Atkins 1/2/2004 and noticed the decreased appetite right away, but in the past few days it has become very severe.

Problem is I don't have an appetite, then I get sick to my stomach, probably from not eating, and it's even harder to take a bite.

Any suggestions for some bland, lighter foods that may help to bring my appetite back.

Thanks. :q:

[kathroon]

Sorry that I can't offer advice. Only that I have been on Atkins since 1/20/04 and I have experienced the same thing lately. I feel the same way you do. Happy but yet worried where the appetite has gone. Thanks for the asking the question and looking forward to seeing some veteran responses to this problem. Good luck and welcome.

[mb99]

I wouldn't worry about actively trying to bring your appetite back, that will probably happen as you move through OWL. In fact, the severe symptoms you are experiencing make a good case for following the plan as written and reintroducing carbs - this should stabilize your appeitite.

Rather then forcing yourself to eat proper meals, try to eat every 6 hours something nutrient/calorie dense and high in your fuel - fat. When my diet was reduced I put my veges in the morning when I was feeling most hungry, but later in the day found macadamia nuts (or any lower carb nut or nut butter really) or cheese, or later in OWL a very fatty greek yogurt, gave me the calories I needed to avoid 'starvation mode' without that sick feeling from forcing down food.

[black57]

Loss of appetitie is a symptom of insulin/glucose balance and ketosis. It really is a good sign. When this happened to me I made sure I ate regularly ( every 3 to 4 hours ). I didn't always have a "full" meal but I did eat. My appetite is now normal although hunger is a much more pleasant feeling since my high carb days.

[Tina120]

thanks mb33 its answer my question too. I just do not feel hungry like bhandywi and khatroon. I will try to add veges in morning. I have started my diet on 21Jan2004. and I will wait another week to get on scale..

[kathroon]

Isn't it good to know that we aren't weird? This site definitely helps alot!! I was worried about going out of ketosis if I didn't eat, and forcing the issue just made me even less hungry. Thanks for asking the question, you helped several others!!!!!!!!!

[gilibel]

You wouldn't go off ketosis by not eating. However you could switch your metabolism into "starvation mode" where it stops burning energy to "save you from famin". So, it's counter productive not to eat. Or to - for a longer period - eat under 10 x your bodyweight (=kcals) So when you eat, try getting the most nutrient-dense and fat-dense food possible, in order to keep metabolism happy.

[bhandywi]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will try the macadamia nuts and veggies in the am, I love them both. I am worried about going into starvation mode, since I have only been able to manage about 1000 cals for the past several days. I have also added Nature's Choice Healthline Bread (5 net carbs pers slice). This variety has helped.

[gilibel]

The best way to up your kcals and speed weightloss would prolly still be to boost the intake of fatty foods, rather than carby ones. (I suppose you're on OWL now, since you eat bread and nuts?)

Drench the afternoon veggies (steamed broccoli or similar?) with butter, sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Yum!

I went through a period of low appetite as well. Sometimes made a (pure) whey protein vanilla shake with lots of grapeseed oil and some crushed flaxseed in it. Or sometimes I'd mix fat (10%) Greek yoghurt with fat (34%) creme fraiche, oil, flaxseed and vanilla whey protein powder for a smooth, "ice creamy" snack. Or creme fraiche with oil, liquid sweetener, crushed almonds and unsweetened cocoa powder.

The oil "disappears" in all the abovementioned snacks, you don't feel it, but it boosts the kcal intake.

Macadamia nuts are the best. Very rich in fat and oh, so yummy.

Some potassium supplement might increase appetite as well.