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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can I gain healthy weight back when I have hardly an appetite?

    Related Topic
    Eating Disorders
    I have basically lost my appetite and even forget to eat. The only time that I eat is about 11pm at night.
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    Ashleigh Keep

    Dietitian

    Ashleigh is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD, AN) and registered with the Dietitian's Association of Australia with experience in both clinical and private practice. Ashleigh's … View Profile

    Trying to gain weight when you have no appetite is difficult. The use of nutritional supplements can assist with weight gain, however if you try the following methods to help stimulate your appetite; you may be able to gain weight the natural way. * Set a time schedule - set a strict time schedule for yourself eg. every 3hours; whereby you are to sit down and have a meal or snack. As your body adjusts to eating at these times everyday, you should begin to feel hungry (and have an appetite!) leading up to this time. * Try incorporating small, frequent meals into your daily regime. There is nothing worse than sitting down to a large meal when you have no appetite (you are likely not to touch at all!). Instead, adjust your meals to consume 6 small meals a day. This way you will ensure you are consuming adequate nutrients over the course of the day. * Avoid consuming fluids before, or during, mealtimes. You will fill up on these fluids and further reduce your appetite. Try having your fluids after your meal. * Make food fun! Look up some new recipes, enjoy shopping for fresh foods and try cooking with friends. Food is a social thing so enjoy it! If you are still concerned regarding your poor appetite, seek a Dietitian who will be able to assist you further and tailor to your nutritional needs.

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    Tyson Tripcony

    Dietitian, Nutritionist, Sports Dietitian

    Tyson is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Accredited Sports Dietitian and ISAK Level 2 Anthropometrist. Tyson is the owner and Managing Director of Sunshine Coast Dietetics … View Profile

    I would take a different tact. Instead of focusing on gaining "weight" back, I would focus on getting eneryg back, improving immune system, meeting my bodies nutritional needs. Too often do we focus on a number on the scales and forget about the imporantance of food for our bodies. Being "healthy" often has very little to do with your weight. 

    You could use something like the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating as a template, I would slowly start adding different foods into your plan. I would focus on nutritious dairy foods (2-3 day), adding in a good lean meat source at least once a day from fish, chicken or lean red meat. I would then look at including the other food groups, including breads and cereals, fruit and vegetables.

    If appetite is an issue, and you struggle to get in all the food groups you need, adding fruit and dairy to smoothies, and juicing vegetables can sometimes assist. Although these things aren't often recommended by dietitians (because we believe wholeheartedly about eating food) they can be a useful tool when appetite is an issue.

    For more assistance, seeing an Accredited Pracitising Dietitian is a good place to start.

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    Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    Adding to the other contributions, it is possible that your lack of interest in food reflects an underlying physical health issue (maybe an endocrine problem?). Getting a full physical health check-up from your GP would be a good plan.

    It is also possible that it arises from a mental health issue (maybe depression). Again, discuss this with your GP - s/he will be able to refer you to a mental health professional (a clinical psychologist and/or psychiatrist) who will be able to check out that possibility with you.

    All the best.

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