Not many of us like feeling hungry. It’s uncomfortable, awkward, and generally unpleasant. As much as we might want it to go away, sometimes we can take this feeling for granted. 

We only notice how much we appreciate hunger when it disappears on us, leading us to ask questions like, “Why am I not hungry after not eating all day?” 

If you’re not feeling quite as hungry as you used to, you’re not alone — everyone loses their appetite at some point in their life. 

When we feel this way, it’s important to take stock of the changes in our lives or bodies that might be leading to a loss of appetite, while making sure to give ourselves the energy we need.

We’ve compiled a short menu filled with calorie-dense, easy-to-digest foods along with some tips and techniques to help us rediscover that awkward, well-meaning friend — hunger.

Why Am I Not Hungry?

Our bodies need a lot of energy. A lot.

For instance, a 450 calorie doughnut has about the same energy as a stick of dynamite. Because the average person eats between 1500-2500 calories a day, that means we eat the equivalent of four to six sticks of dynamite a day! 

But don’t worry, a cinnamon twist doughnut won’t explode in your belly any time soon. Our bodies burn these calories slowly in an efficient, controlled manner, pumping the energy wherever it’s needed. In other words, food is our fuel. 

Even when we’re lying absolutely still, we consume huge amounts of energy by breathing, maintaining our body temperature, pumping blood through our body, and using our brainpower — 20% of your energy needs come just from your thoughts! 

To keep our tanks full and our machines running, we need a signal that tells our body that we need more energy — hunger

Normally, hunger’s pretty good at telling us when we need another snack. But sometimes, this hunger signal doesn’t come through as strongly as we’d like, or we simply don’t feel like eating. Everybody goes through phases when their appetite wanes, but our bodies still need food. 

Here are some signs that our body needs food even if we’re not hungry:

• Fatigue
• Low concentration levels
• Irritability caused by low blood sugar

It’s tough to eat when you’re feeling this way, but there are some foods and practices you can bring into your life to increase your appetite and make refueling a bit easier.

What to Eat When You Don’t Want to Eat

When our motivation to eat is low, we can compensate by filling our stomachs with energy-dense foods and those that are easiest for our bodies to digest. 

These picks infuse us with the fuel we need to conquer the day without upsetting our stomachs.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Rich in protein and healthy fats, hard-boiled eggs are a great option if you have an upset stomach. Their soft texture is fun to chew and they can quickly fill you up with long-lasting energy to power you through your day. 

Bananas

As fun to say as they are to peel, bananas are an everyday low-fiber fruit that fill your body up with essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium. 

Eating a ripe banana also infuses your muscles with electrolytes which can help reduce cramping and even relieve nausea. 

Smoothies and Shakes

Drinking your energy in liquid form gives you the fuel you need quickly and deliciously. Because they’re already broken down, liquids are easily digested by the stomach, so you might feel a quicker energy pick-me-up than a fiber-heavy food. 

White Rice

One of the easiest foods to digest, white rice is an easy option for someone who’s dealing with stomach issues. Each spoonful is packed with magnesium, iron, and B vitamins. While it’s usually served with other foods, white rice can be a tasty treat all on its own.

theEATBar

Tasty, convenient, and perfect company for a short walk outside, theEATBar can be just the fix we need to make eating fun. Coming in four unique flavors and layered with sweet meringue flavor, theEATBar is a great option to fill your stomach when your appetite’s MIA. 

Stimulate Your Appetite

With all these easy eating options in mind, there are still many techniques we can adopt to make regular eating a staple of our daily life even with decreased appetite.

Make a List of Foods You Love

It’s easier to eat when we love what we’re eating. Take out a pen and paper and make a short list of foods that you love.

This could be dark chocolate, cheese and crackers, or a bowl of your favorite cereal. If you’re not quite ready to take a bite of these foods yet, then look forward to getting reacquainted when the time is right.

Work It Out

If you’re physically able, try going for a light jog or a scenic hike. Working out our muscles helps ramp our metabolism into a higher gear, boosting our appetites and lowering stress levels. 

If you’re wondering which workouts are best suited for you, talk to your healthcare provider and find out what they recommend.

Surround Yourself with Friends and Family

Eating is always more enjoyable when we’re with loved ones. And there’s nothing more satisfying than cooking up a home-cooked meal in the kitchen, all working to make the best dish possible. 

Sometimes, all we need is the right environment to get in the right mindset. By surrounding yourself with friends who love eating, you just might find some appetite creeping back into your stomach.

Set Yourself a Reminder

In general, we’re advised to eat every three to four hours. If you find yourself forgetting or postponing a snacking session, set yourself a reminder on your phone.

When it buzzes, stop what you’re doing and take a few scrumptious bites of a snack you love. Once you’re done, reset the timer and be ready to go again in a few hours. 

Reverse the Golden Rule

We all know this one — treat others how you’d like to be treated.

But sometimes, we forget to apply it to ourselves — treat yourself how you’d like others to be treated.

Struggling with eating can be a frustrating experience, but it’s never helpful to beat yourself up. We all go through tough periods. The most we can ask ourselves is to do our best and spend time with people who care about us.

So take a deep breath. Take time to be grateful, not just for others but for yourself. Once you’ve done that, you can take a small step on your journey to falling even further in love with food. 

Love Eating with an Eat Bar

There are dozens of reasons we might experience a lack of appetite — side effects of a new medication, underlying health conditions, even the common cold. 

The trick to making it through these periods is to bring foods into our life that are energy-dense and easy to digest. Make a list of your favorite dishes, set a reminder on your phone, and surround yourself with friends who love eating. 

While you’re at it, add another treat to your growing list of favorite foods by using our discount code BLOG15 at checkout to receive 15% off your order.

We believe that eating is one of the most enjoyable, unique aspects of being alive. That’s why we created theEATBar, a delicious bar bursting with meringue flavor perfect for anyone living with eating troubles, especially those with secret superpowers.

Remember, you can process the energy equivalent of a half-dozen sticks of dynamite a day! If that’s not a superpower, we don’t know what is.