Decreased appetite

Hello all!

I'm new to the HCRV lifestyle. I'm currently on day 6 of all fruits and veggies (YAY -- so proud of myself)! However, I've been noticing that I'm not getting past 2000 calories a day :( I'm usually getting just over 1000 cal per day.

I'm wondering if it's just because I've been under a large amount of stress lately. I just finished my school finals and research papers for the quarter (which kept me up late and took up, literally, most of my day).

Also, my mother was recently hospitalized for a (possible) heart attack and pulmonary hypertension. She's been home for a little over a week now and I think it's finally started to hit her that something worse could have happened (like an unexpected exit from this world). So she's been calling me late in the evenings (on the phone for over an hour) because she's sad, tired, and scared. I have been a major support system for her.

At work I get so busy I forget to eat too @.@

That's the emotional, mental stress I've been dealing with prior and during my 6 days. Prior to going raw I definitely was eating more calories, but now I'm obviously not.

s it just because stress? Is it that I'm eating in my same old eating habits but just not eating enough (since you need to eat a larger quantity to get the calories from fruits/veggies)?

HELP, PLEASE!

Tags: appetite, calories, eat, enough, lack, more, not, of, stress

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Permalink Reply by Esperanza Vite - The Raw Monkey on July 1, 2012 at 10:05pm

Hi there Courtney,

I am really sorry to hear that you've been having to deal with so much recently. I really hope things get easier for you soon.

I would say that a number of factors are probably contributing to your lower appetite. Definitely the stress will be making you feel less hungry. But also, since its only your first week raw, your body won't have adjusted yet to eating the large volumes of fruit and veg required to meet your calorie needs. I would reccomend that you gradually try to increase your calories until you are having enough food each day. Smoothies are a good option for easily digestible quick meals, and dates are also a good way to eat more calories in a lower volume. Water also plays a large part in appetite regulation, so make sure you are drinking enough (3 liters or more) each day.

Hope this helps and I wish you all the best,

Esperanza xxx

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Permalink Reply by Athena on July 1, 2012 at 10:15pm

I second what Esperanza says.

As an extra tip, I highly recommend buying/eating dates, they are really easy to get so many calories from (and are addictive as well). I'm so hooked on them that I can't go a day without them. :p

But seriously, I hope you can sort out your stress soon, though I also emphasise (from my own experience) that when you live 811 and eat enough calories that you become (suddenly) more aware, can think more logically, and eventually deal with at least some problems better.

I wish you the best!

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Permalink Reply by Courtney Walton on July 3, 2012 at 12:20am

Thank you both for your advice! I believe the amount of stress I'm dealing with is definitely going downhill now (YAY!)

I will definitely start increasing the smoothie and date factor into my everyday habits! Do either of you recommend a site to order dates in bulk? The largest I've found at the farmers markets here are very small and can get very pricey >.< I'm sure There's somewhere else to find them.

Thanks again for the great advice and well wishes!!! :)

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Permalink Reply by Esperanza Vite - The Raw Monkey on July 3, 2012 at 12:43am

Hi Courtney,

Really glad the stress is getting better now :) Here are some links to online dates suppliers:

http://www.datepeople.net/

http://www.shieldsdategarden.com/

http://nuts.com/search?q=dates

http://7hotdates.com/ (These ones are now sold out, but the new harvest will be in early fall)

Hope that helps :)

Take care,

Esperanza xxx

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Permalink Reply by Athena on July 3, 2012 at 3:14am

Hi Courtney,

you're very welcome. I'm glad as well that your stress is going downhill. I notice that since I began this lifestyle that I am able to handle stress better than ever before. Though I'm not perfect, I've definitely improved.

Regarding your date question, since you live in the States, I can only echo Esperanza again, as I believe those mentioned shops are in the States.

Good luck and stay fruity! :)