the high anxiety weight loss plan :(

I'm experiencing high anxiety (marriage related) and don't anticipate any real change in things soon; it could go on for months. I already do a lot of things to help with the anxiety (meds, exercise, etc).

The main issue is, I'm not eating. When I was normal weight and this happened, I'd lose a lot fast but never worried b/c I knew it would come back on. Now I want to continue losing at a healthy pace, so I know I have to eat more.

I don't like most nuts (peanuts and cashews are the exceptions). What other foods are really high density to help me through this?

I'm sorry to ask a question I know has been asked, but since I never imagined I'd have trouble eating again, I never paid attention to the suggested foods.

TIA.

What is your target calorie intake? Are you looking for a food that if you do decide to eat will pack a lot of bang for the buck so to speak?

mkculs:  try something like peanut butter, avacados, cheeses of all kinds, eggs, whole milk or milk with chocolate (sugar free chocolate), add olive oil to what you are already cooking, slimfast shakes, fiber one bars (in moderation), dry roasted edamame (Seaport lightly salted is very tasty) ... there are others but that is a decent start.  Good luck to you!  I know it can be hard to choke down stuff in times of high stress and anxiety ... or when you just don't feel hungry.  Good for you for keeping your nutrion in mind even with all the other stuff that is going on!  You can do this ... hang in there!

~Gwen

Avocados are excellent! If you can try to sip milk throughout the day like water if that fits into your plan. I think steamed milk can be rather comforting so perhaps you can take a moment and enjoy a cup. Is there any food that you really enjoy, like a particular comfort food? I think it would be fine to eat that in moderation if it gives you nutrients and comfort. Good luck!

Sorry to hear you're going through such a stressful period. All I can suggest is to go easy on yourself. You're already anxious; try not to be anxious about your body as well. Do add a few calorie-dense foods to your diet, and keep on with light, relaxing exercise (I found swimming in a lukewarm pool to be the most relaxing). You could try drizzling olive oil over the foods you're already eating, too. But don't beat yourself up about not eating. You have enough on your plate as it is.

Incidentally, a regular massage, even if it's just from a friend or family member, does wonders. But above all, what I recommend is marriage counselling. EVERYONE needs it sometimes, and a good counsellor can help you resolve all sorts of things you thought were unsolvable.

Ah man, been here.

Guacamole, tortilla chips, salsa.  Easy to eat while doing wedding plans, don't require a lot of prep, and can be decent for you (make your own guacamole, get salsa from your local restaurant, and baked tortilla chips).  Lifesaver.

need more info.

When was your last medical? Are you taking any perscription drugs?

Do not listen to anyone on this site who recommends eating anything until you answer these questions.  And do not do anything different until you are sure your blood and heart are okay.   Some people might think you have some anorexic problems developing.

What you are saying about anxiety would indicate you have a B vitamin deficiency.  Because the body will burn a lot B's when under this kind of stress.  Good sleep is critical too.

I am Concerned.

Original Post by themassageguy:

need more info.

When was your last medical? Are you taking any perscription drugs?

Do not listen to anyone on this site who recommends eating anything until you answer these questions.  And do not do anything different until you are sure your blood and heart are okay.   Some people might think you have some anorexic problems developing.

What you are saying about anxiety would indicate you have a B vitamin deficiency.  Because the body will burn a lot B's when under this kind of stress.  Good sleep is critical too.

I am Concerned.

 massage guy, who the heck do you think you are to tell CC members not to listen to other members?  CC members share their experiences to the benefit of all.  It's the business of each member to take care of their own medical needs, and you have no place telling them how to do it.  All we are doing is answering a straight, honest question.

I've not seen you share one single personal experience of something that works for you. Alll you do is spout off like an infomercial.  I think we're all waiting for the product or book plug.  We don't know your weight or any of your stats, we dont' know if you are overweight or under.  We don't know where you get your information because you never give a reference we can check.  Personally, I think you just make this stuff up.

Last summer when I was suffering an attack of thyroiditis I had no appetite at all and experienced rapid weigh loss.  What I did was make a few simple switches that were easy to change back - 2% milk instead of skim, regular butter and salad dressings instead of lite or fat free, higher calorie breads, olive oil added to things like my vegetables, and some vitamin supplements reccomended by my endocrinologist.  My weight stabilized with proper medical treatment, and it wasn't too hard to switch back to weight loss mode when my thyroid was finally regulated.

I hope this helps you.  Being under a lot of stress is enough to make anyone lose his or her appetite.

I have some really deep-rooted social anxiety... although it never affected my eating. Maybe my exercise habits though, what with going out for exercise at 10 pm or 4 am or whatever.

I would recommend that aside from searching for calorie-dense foods (There's not really too many healthy options as far as protein and carbs go..), you start planning out your meals and just get in the habbit of eating them when you planned to eat them. I'm still not exactly sure why anxiety would make you reluctant to eat... maybe you don't feel like eating, but it doesn't have to be a bad experience, right?

High calorie foods - pastas, oils like olive, sesame and walnut oils, oily fish, whole fat dairy, nut butter - I don't know if you'd like this even if not a fan of nuts generally, but cashew nut butter is really nice, dense breads like seeded batches, avocado, dried fruit, coconut. There's a list in the Weight Gain forum, too.

Themassageguy: I am a recovering anorexic and I can TELL you I can see she does not have "anorexic tendencies". Anorexia - the loss of appetite - as a symptom, certainly, but nothing close to scraping on the disorder anorexia can be related with.

Original Post by ibez:

I'm still not exactly sure why anxiety would make you reluctant to eat... maybe you don't feel like eating, but it doesn't have to be a bad experience, right?

 I hate to be graphic, but I feel like I'm going to throw up all the time; that's what makes it hard to eat. I'm hungry and I actually want to eat, but then the reaction kicks in. . .

I appreciate all the suggestions, and I've done better in the last 3 days, making sure I get at least 1200 cals in although I definitely need more. There have been suggestions here I never would have thought of and they should help me add those extra cals easily. Great ideas, and THANK YOU for the great support!

Original Post by themassageguy:

need more info.

When was your last medical? Are you taking any perscription drugs?

Do not listen to anyone on this site who recommends eating anything until you answer these questions.  And do not do anything different until you are sure your blood and heart are okay.   Some people might think you have some anorexic problems developing.

What you are saying about anxiety would indicate you have a B vitamin deficiency.  Because the body will burn a lot B's when under this kind of stress.  Good sleep is critical too.

I am Concerned.

 How dare you suggest that this person might have anorexic problems developing, clearly if someone is on here asking for suggestions, they want to eat but honestly physically don't feel like it.  Hope you have something to back that up, I for one have never suffered from anorexia but alot of awesome people on this site have and I find it so offensive that you would suggest this. 

As for mkculs, as others have said switching out dairy products and things like that for full fat versions and using more oil, I think those are awesome suggestions.  Looks like you've been doing well in the last 3 days! Good for you!  Hope you're well and things are improving for you!!!!

For Ibez -- loss of appetite (often accompanied by nausea) is actually a pretty common response to anxiety (or depression, for that matter), as is increased appetite.  I've experienced both these extremes.

WRT this becoming a bad experience -- when you're experiencing serious and constant anxiety, almost anything can become a bad experience. 

It sounds like Mckuls is trying hard to find ways to cope with a difficult situation, which is commendable.

Original Post by mkculs:

 I hate to be graphic, but I feel like I'm going to throw up all the time; that's what makes it hard to eat. I'm hungry and I actually want to eat, but then the reaction kicks in. . .

For foods when feeling like you're going to throw up, I suggest things that you know you can hold down when sick.  Drink broth with vegetables in it (a mild soup).  Have some milk (if that's your thing).  Crackers that are easy on your stomach.  Sometimes just having some broth calms my stomach down enough to where I can eat other things.

I'm really sorry you're going through this right now, and hope things get better soon.