Eating if not hungry?

[Thucydides 250]

I realize that this is an exceptionally dumb question, but I am wondering if I am ever supposed to eat when I don't feel hungry. I started the soft foods stage this week and have had no problems with the foods that I am eating. During the liquid phase, I was fortunate enough to have no problems getting enough fluids and Protein in. The problem that I am running into now that I am eating actual food is that I am simply not hungry, but this means that I fall short of my protein target. I could eat, even though I am not hungry, but I am uncertain on whether my priority should be getting enough protein or only eating when hungry. Today I have had 350 calories and 59 grams of protein, which is about 15 grams short of my protein target.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I find it important to make sure I eat, especially if I am not hungry, and especially early post-op.

Like with staying hydrated, if I wait until I feel like it I have a very hard time getting in all my Protein and fluids.

I actually am facing that today. I ate some relatively light meals and now I am going to be up way too late just so I can work in a Protein shake.

[Babbs 14,681]

Yes, you need to eat even when you're not hungry. I think for most of us, if we only ate when we were hungry, we would never eat!

food is now your fuel, like a car. You can't go vroom without your fuel!

It's definitely a balance to eat when you need to, but not find yourself grazing all day. That's why I do best when I just eat on a schedule. Breakfast at 7, snack at 10, lunch at noon, snack at 3 and dinner at 5 or 6. Been doing it that way for the last 15 months, and it's certainly worked for me

[Kindle 8,667]

If I only ate when I was hungry I wouldn't have eaten at all for the first 4-6 months. I wasn't painful or nauseous or anything like that. Everything went down just fine, in teeny tiny amounts. It's just that I was never hungry or thirsty. Eating and drinking was such a chore. I had to get IV fluids 3 times due to dehydration from uncontrollable diarrhea during my 3rd month postop (I got C. diff from a dental procedure) and I can seriously say those were 3 of the best days because I DIDNT HAVE TO DRINK ANYTHING!

But still, I forced myself to eat and meet Protein and Fluid goals every day. I don't think I was ever under 600 calories and that was only for the first couple of weeks. Getting in your Protein is definitely more important than only eating when you are hungry. Besides, I didn't want my body to get used to a low calorie intake. Didn't want my metabolism slowed down which would make maintenance that much harder. Not to mention the benefits of protein on healing and hair loss.

[Kathy812 794]

Not a dumb question at all. Early on I was told to do my best to get in all of my Protein, Water and calories.

Believe it or not, eating too few calories can actually cause you to NOT lose weight.

Trust me in time you'll WISH you weren't hungry, this stage will pass-at least for most people.

[Thucydides 250]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I guess I should think about eating the same way that I have thought about drinking. I drink even if I'm not thirsty to get my requisite fluids in. Sounds like I need to do the same thing in terms of eating.

[Kindle 8,667]

Like Kathy said, I only wish I could go back to those days when I was never hungry. THAT would make this surgery truly a miracle!

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Before surgery physical hunger wasn't my issue, head hunger was. Once I worked through my emotional issues with head hunger, I was in the right head space for surgery. Fast forward to now, I have to basically force myself to eat. It is getting worse with each passing week. I have little interest in food, and zero hunger.

It is important to get your Protein in, so weigh, measure, make a schedule and stick to it. Just because you aren't hungry or are not interested in food doesn't mean your body doesn't have needs.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I realize that this is an exceptionally dumb question, but I am wondering if I am ever supposed to eat when I don't feel hungry. I started the soft foods stage this week and have had no problems with the foods that I am eating. During the liquid phase, I was fortunate enough to have no problems getting enough fluids and Protein in. The problem that I am running into now that I am eating actual food is that I am simply not hungry, but this means that I fall short of my protein target. I could eat, even though I am not hungry, but I am uncertain on whether my priority should be getting enough protein or only eating when hungry. Today I have had 350 calories and 59 grams of protein, which is about 15 grams short of my protein target.

Early on I went through a period where I had no appetite at all. I literally just went through the motions. However I knew it was important to meet my protein and fluid goals so I aimed for that and nothing more. I just made sure I hit that. Protein is what helps us heal and allows us to lose

[BCs 1000 364]

I struggle with this too OP. It is very counterintuitive. Eating when I am not hungry is how I got into trouble to begin with. It scares me to make myself eat when I am not hungry now as I worry I am not learning the eating habits I need for long term success.

[Shainadelphia 69]

Hi! just a logistical suggestion because I was also weighing myself too often. I took my scale to the basement so now it has to be a concerted effort to get on it.

Good luck!!

[Babbs 14,681]

Hi! just a logistical suggestion because I was also weighing myself too often. I took my scale to the basement so now it has to be a concerted effort to get on it.

Good luck!!

Awesome!

[Babbs 14,681]

I struggle with this too OP. It is very counterintuitive. Eating when I am not hungry is how I got into trouble to begin with. It scares me to make myself eat when I am not hungry now as I worry I am not learning the eating habits I need for long term success.

That's why our mind set toward food has to shift from just primarily pleasure to primarily fuel. It's not an easy thing to do!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I struggle with this too OP. It is very counterintuitive. Eating when I am not hungry is how I got into trouble to begin with. It scares me to make myself eat when I am not hungry now as I worry I am not learning the eating habits I need for long term success.

That's why our mind set toward food has to shift from just primarily pleasure to primarily fuel. It's not an easy thing to do!

Complete relearning process. Most of us not only ate when we were hungry, we ate when we were happy, we ate when we were sad, we ate when we were bored. Now we're being asked to eat to live and fuel our bodies. That may mean in these early days, creating a schedule and sticking to it. No more no less.