What to do when you can't eat?

[ElisabethC]

I could really use some help! I'm on two medications. One has a side effect of weight loss and the other suppresses my appetite. I cannot go off of either of these medications and, unfortunately, none of the alternatives to these drugs have worked for me. I've dropped about 10 lbs which I did not need to lose (see I got it right! Lose!). I have tried to just force myself to eat and it makes me physically ill. I have been drinking a lot of protein shakes which I can usually choke down but I know that's not enough. I'm afraid I'm losing muscle mass along with fat especially since it's really hard for me to eat after working out. I don't know why it's harder after working out but it is. Any suggestions? Thank you!

[jaleena]

Add carb powder to your PWO shake, so you can just have the shake then and not worry about eating.
And make gainer shakes for other times of day...add pb, oats, fruit...just try to get the cals up without upsetting your tummy. Not ideal, but better than starving.

[Erik]

Maybe smaller, more frequent meals? So that you're not eating very much at once? That and liquid meals, or easy to digest (ie. lower fiber carbs) is all I can really think of.

[krispy1138]

Have you tried drinking something like Ensure?

[Erik]

Have you tried drinking something like Ensure?

:blink: What? That's crap.

[jaleena]

DIY gainer shakes would be better than Ensure.

[Erik]

DIY gainer shakes would be better than Ensure.

Agreed.

[krispy1138]

:blink: What? That's crap.

Sorry, that's what my parents' doctors had them drink when they couldn't eat anything. :oops:

[Strive2Define]

Doctors are not the best source of info for nutitional advice IMO

[Ana]

Doctors are not the best source of info for nutitional advice IMO
I absolutely agree with that.

[Tricia]

I'd like to know what medications you're taking ... not that I'd be able to get them, I'm sure you need them. Just curious, cause nothing cuts my appetite, not phentermine, ephedra ... a stomach flu did it once, lasted 3 days, and then I doubled everything I lost in 2 weeks!

TRicia

[kat2002]

Not an expert, but I would try to get all your protein in first since, as far as I know, it does the most to protect your muscle mass. 1g x your bodyweight or so..then, just "graze" on carbs and healthy fats after that, whatever you can stand to eat.

That might work or then again protein also has a way of making you less hungry too so it's a double edged sword but I'd give it a go.

[rachel.]

eat a lot of calorically dense foods

maybe add regular mayo instead of light, use salmon instead of tuna, use 2tbsp of olive oil instead of 1.... substitutions like that may help

[ElisabethC]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have been trying to eat small meals but well let's just say that lately a meal has been a few scoops of cottage cheese. I will try adding more substance to my shakes. I'll try getting more fats in too. I know I need it.

I agree doctors are not good sources of nutrition information. Mine also recommended drinking Ensure but after reading the nutrition label, I decided it wasn't for me.

Thanks for all the advice.

[abbatoir]

I say blend everything. And add chocolate pudding mix to everything. It works! :)