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Avatar universal

I'm never hungry & seeing/smelling food makes me sick

I used to always love food. I never had a problem with it. I'll admit that I was and still am a picky eater, but for the past 6-7 years, I've never really been hungry. I seemed to have forgotten what hunger feels like.

I have no problem with my wieght or with the way I look. I'm active because I play sports year round. I'm currently 17 years old and this never being hungry thing tends to get in the way of many activities. Being that most people my age enjoy going out to eat or pigging out at a friends house, it poses many problems for me.

I can't eat big meals at one sitting, and I must force myself to eat small snacky stuff. Some times throughout the day, if I see or smell food, it can make me sick to my stomach. I've been to the doctor concerning the stomach issues, but the only thing they came up with was that I had a little more acid in my stomach than normal. That wasn't what was making me not hungry though.

I went to a psychologist just to see if it was something to do with, well...me. But nothing came out of it. It is quite frustrating to deal with and nobody seems to understand. Some people even take it as rude when I don't eat. I guess I could live with the eating snacky stuff throughout the day thing, but my biggest concern is me being sick to my stomach most of the time.

I feel sick every morning. The sickness usually tapers off by the afternoon. Some people I've talked to said to try to eat breakfast, since I never do/can. I've tried to force myself, but it jsut seems to make matters worse. Are there any people out there with some of the same symptoms? Are there anyways to stop myself from feeling nauseous?
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Avatar universal
Haha its called food trauma, maybe you dont eat breakfast(not hungry symptom) or everymorning you see the same food(brain tells trauma)
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have same problem. Stop eating fake food such as slice cheese that is plastic that is not food. Stop eating white rice that is plastic too, don't eat parmashuan cheese that is wood chunks, and alot of other food i fake as well. This world is posioning us anymore foe money and half of us are allergic to trees and eating that food is killing us. Anyone can have stroke to soon, anyone any size any age can die because the secrets they hide feom us is poisonous. You could have food posion. Or could have food allergy and have loss of senses and that could cause smelling strange things that arent there. Only God knows.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I always feel the exact symptom like all of you. Eventhough i'm don't know anything about medical but i'm pretty sure it is because of gastric ( stomach acid). Most people who don't know anything will ask you to eat but i don't. 1) What i do is i just take my mood, make the urge to vomit so that we can vomitted the acid from stomach. The acid usually make people feel dizzy. 2) Go to place or make yourself warm and cozy. Relax and lie down. 3) Put any oil or balm and massage at the left part of stomach ( you will hear gas sound), forhead and neck. 4) Go or sea something you like as to garden, sea and mountain cause it has a lot of fresh air and green to.
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Anyone still reading this very old post, please do not do what the above post recommends.  The reason you're told to eat if you have excess acid is because it gives the acid something to work on other than the lining of your stomach and intestines.  Vomiting increases the inflammation caused by digestive problems, especially forced vomiting.  It forces the acid to flow up all the way through your system and out your mouth, but your stomach then just produces more and now it's empty of anything to soak it up.  The ways to deal with excess acid without medication is to use plant remedies that repair the lining of the digestive tract and reduce the inflammation, as well as control acid production gently so the stomach isn't forced to produce more which it will need every time you eat protein or minerals.  But never force yourself to vomit unless you've swallowed something toxic.  To the above poster:  please, so some homework and learn some biology before telling people to do something that could well harm them.  If you don't know anything about a subject, it's fine to not comment on it.  
Avatar universal
I feel the same way and I am 20 almost 21 I am having trouble just going to work cause I feel sick cause I work around food I hope to find out soon and I hope I am just pregnant and nothing worst.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I'm 19, I feel the same. I cannot even enter the college canteen because the smell makes me feel like throwing up. All I have is a can of Coke in our canteen but I need help to finish it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am having the EXACT same syptoms . I am 17 years old & even the thought of food makes me want to vomit . Hoping to find answers .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had this exact problem for years! From age 12-21 I had an awful relationship with food. I couldnteat very much and I never had an appetite, I had to force myself to eat so I wouldnt get sick (I wasnt super thin, average weight). I would be especially sick in the morning a lot of times even if I didnt eat anything. I wasnt losing any weight though. After years of this I found out I have hypothyroidism and stomach ulcers!! I honestly believe that it was stomach ulcers that made me so sick, they put me on a medicine that decreases the acid in your stomach and a liquid coating medicine that helped heal the ulcers. It took weeks of this medicine to help, then some came back and I went on it again. But it has changed my life, I finally am hungry again and enjoy food! I dont hate food anymore because it used to make me so sick. I hope this helps someone! All you have to do it go to your PCP and tell them you think you have stomach ulcers and go from there! There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I need help with this too. Im 15 and for the last few months I've barely eaten. I can only stomach certain foods. I can eat dips and crackers, guacamole, and candy/anything that's like a sweet. I've talked about it in therapy but she couldn't figure out. I don't think its an eating disorder but it does stress me out. Not eating causes your metabolism to slow which makes you gain more weight every time you eat. I went from getting down to a 213 to going up to a 241. Thats the worst part to me
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I do have problems like this I'm 13 being around food makes me sick I'm usually not hungry like ever. I'm losing weight randomly. I'm pretty active and sporty but I'm never hungry. I have trouble sleeping as well. I'm a picky eater as well but I just haven't really been hungry and up for eating. My mom said I've had a weird appetite since I was born. At one point in time I stopped eating all together but I started back but it was rare I did. Now it's far if I do eat at all I'm a  vegetarian and I'm the only one in my house. I used to excercjse a lot but I sorta laid off when I have busy with other things.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im 17 yrs old and I've been having the same problem lately but with headaches and fatigue.when I went to the doctors they all said that nothing is wrong with me except having iron defiency. Just the thought of food makes me sick. When I finally decided to just get though with it, I got as far as making it and losing my appetite at the sight of it no matter how delicious it looked. No one understands what it's like. Hopefully we'll all find an answer to our problems one of these days
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I'm 23 suffering from no appetite & when I do get hungry the food makes me nauseous & I'm totally turned off to eating. I'd  seriously much rather starve than eat b/c when I attempt to force myself to eat, it won't stay down.  Or if by chance it does stay down. I'll be full off 3 bites literally. This is terrible
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Marijuana may be a blanket solution. But I would not advise an ambitious 17 year old kid to start smoking up every day just to eat. There are numerous studies that support the idea that it is best to hold off on smoking cannabis until you are in your twenties. I am a 21 year old male, and I have experienced the symptoms you are describing off and on over the past few years. I noticed mainly when I tried to quit using cannabis ironically enough. However, with some discipline, making sure I am drinking lots of water and getting physical exercise, and forcing myself to eat atleast something at structured times (breakfast lunch and dinner) I found myself able to re-habituate my body back into a healthy eating routine. What was suggested to me was that I carry around a bag of almonds with me during the day so that when hunger pains arise you can satisfy them immediately. (ignoring it seems to make it worse in my experience and sometimes we just get too busy to eat a meal). Perhaps try some lighter foods such as a whey protein shake with yogurt and fruits. (i am sure you have had shakes before seeing that you are an athlete.) The shakes can be a great way to start re-igniting your appetite. You can also increase the amount of calories you consume by including peanut butter or oatmeal. Try investigating some appetite stimulator. They say cinnamon is a good choice to get your appetite stimulated. I personally found water with lemon was very effective.

If cannabis is your solution then so be it. I have smoked cannabis since I was 13 years old and my testimony is that I would advise younger people to wait until they are in their 20's purely for the effects it CAN have on a developing emotional and psychological intelligence.. Not to mention its denominational side-effects.

Good luck man, I hope you find a solution that works for you!
Helpful - 2
3 Comments
Denominational, not denominational in the context of cannabis symptoms.
Demotivational*** (dear lord auto-correct)
I'm turning 21 in June and I just quit smoking because I was finding myself only eating or even sleeping only when I would smoke. The withdrawal (depending on how frequently cannabis was used; for me it was everyday) it was and still is a rough couple of weeks readjusting to "normal" habits. Everything described in the post above are symptoms I've found in myself and it sucks to go through. After reading your post though it makes me stay positive, last year I had taken a tolerance break and went through these same feelings. At that point in time as well I had caused myself to get a stomach ulcers which made it worse for me when my appetite faded. I wasn't used to snacking all the time and keeping up with what my body needed. Going through this the second time and reading your comment defiantly makes me feel a lot better and I just wanted to say Thank you for sharing! The almonds is a great idea and I totally agree with your advice that smoking marijuana isn't the best solution when wanting to cure the feeling of nonhungry. It adds to a cycle and puts you in a position where you might make yourself even more uncomfortable because you then become reliant on not just you having to eat but you having to spend more money so you can smoke before everytime you eat. Best advice would defiantly be your comment! I wish you all the best!
Avatar universal
Im 17 and I have the same problem the doctor told me its too much acid and prescribed me omeprazole. But those even didnt help. Honestly the only thing that helps me is smoking weed. It calms the burning nausea and actually gives an appetite to where I want to eat, I enjoy eating, and I can hold it down afterwards. I smoke a bowl before and depending on if Im having any nausea afterwards I will smoke another . Once you turn 18 you can get a Medical Marijuana Card from your doctor for It.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Z_e
Same in 12 and when ever I see food or smell it I fell sick like I'm about to puke and I'm not a picky eater or anything and when I do eat I can only eat a tiny tiny bit like I don't have any problems with my body I'm healthy I play football with my guy friend basketball and some times hockey but when they say 'lets go eat' I eat like 10 fries and say I'm full so I don't puke on them
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same symptoms but I'm 13. I can swallow food but it taste like nothing. Whenever I see food I loose my appitite. I can eat bread, cheese, and certain soups without feeling this way. I hope everyone finds a way to feel better
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ive also been feeling this way too. Im 17 and lately, ive been getting the strong desire to eat but when i go downstairs to get food, all the food doesnt seem appealing. I go back upstairs, only to come back downstairs and repeat in a frustrating cycle. I just want to eat! All ive eaten today was a pancake. The only thig that works is when really good food is presented to me, i change my mind. For the past 2 months ive been feeling sick to my stomach. Like nausea, especially in the morning when i eat a regular sized meal the night before.  Doctors also said it was just acid build up and prescribed me Omeprazole but they dont work
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Marijuana is the answer lol I got prescribed the same thing and it didn't work for me either.
I have to smoke a bowl before I eat, and it takes away the burning nausea, gives me an appetite, I actually enjoy my food and hold it down. if I'm experiencing any nausea after I eat I smoke a little more and I'm fine. Since I started smoking I've gained 10 pounds (which is good cuz I was only 90 ) And rn yes it is illegal but as soon as you turn 18 youcan get a medical marijuana card from your doctor for it.
Avatar universal
I'm 15 and soon realized that I had anxiety. School had just started back and I am talking to a boy and I always almost have a anxiety attack around him. About  a week ago I stopped eating because everything made me sick to my stomach and I have lost 4 pounds in 2 days which isn't normal at all. I try eating something everyday but everytime I do I get really sick to my stomach and I feel like I'm going to throw up. So I've just been eating like once a day and I have to force myself to eat it. I've told my parents but they don't know what it is and I haven't been to a doctor yet. I'm not sure what to do.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i too treat this problem in a similar manner but have found that unless i treat it. i literally cannot eat. i often wonder if i am not becoming too dependent on this. do you have the same problem?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same. Im 16.  I never get completely starving but I get fairly hungry sometimes. but anytime I smell or see a certain food when Im not hungry I get completely nauseated and feel like throwing up. And sometimes a certain random foods smell makes me sick even when I usually like that food. And that happens when or when Im not hungry.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's scary how much we are alike,  I get nauseated just the thought of food I get nauseated when I eat and I get nauseated when I do not eat food. I play sports difficult for me to eat out with friends or family. It's really annoying. I went out to eat with family today ordered a sprite, half pound burger, and steak fries. In ten minutes I had only eaten half the burger and a few fries by force, But I had to stop. My stomach was BURNING. I have acid reflex so if I don't eat I get sick. I don't feel hungry alot of times, I could go an entire day without eating if I don't realize it. But the burning and nausea are my reminders. Being a seventeen year old that used to be able to eat two plates full on thanksgiving dinner plus desserts makes this super annoying. Just know you're not alone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I get the same, its a recent thing I;ve just started having and Im 13, I used to eat absoutley everything but now I find it hard to eat a little bit of food, Im worried that this will affect my growth and health because I am only 13, is there an thing I can do?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been having this problem for the past few months, everything makes me urge and feel like im about to throw up except sweets. Sweets are the only thing I seem to be able to eat without urging or being sick. It might be a psychological thing for me though and maybe for other people too, the main reason I think this is because on Sundays its at its worst. I cant eat anything on Sunday without wanting to be sick. I still would like to know why I feel like it and the reason for it because you know, as much as I like sweets I dont think I can keep eating them to stay alive.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
this happens to me too, I think it's psychological because I'm a really picky eater and always have been, but I love the food that I do like, but all of a sudden I started feeling sick at the smell of potatoes and beef and things like that.. not all the time though, it's really inconsistent with the smells, but no matter what I eat it makes me feel sick!
Wow this sounds like me .... every sunday i cant eat anything or monday as soon as i wake up im throwing up stomich acid. I have trief every stomich gravel or calmer or vitamins you can think of and NOTHING works. Its making me so frusterated
17488628 tn?1457142961
I have almost the same symptoms and I am much younger at age 13 I start feeling really nauseous at the sight or consumption of food It tends to make me sick a tone and I can't eat much more then a snack a day wihtout being grossly sick and vomiting or having a panic attack sometimes even both. I would love to know if there is a way to solve this. It affects my daily life.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I'm 13 too, same issues. Idk what to do. I never seem to eat anymore and I legit could eat every second of the day if I was allowed until a few days ago and now I eat like a granola bar mid morning and half a sandwich at about 9:00 at night. Idk what I can do cuz to try force myself to eat makes me feel sick and sometimes I actually do vomit. Anyone else know what to do.
Avatar universal
i feel you i just started that last week  i have an anxiety disorder and had an eating disorder for about 4 years i recovered and found the love for food. Now when wake up and  i smell food i guys so sick i need to throw-up.And forcing the food in my mouth just makes things worse. I'm also afraid that my eating disorder is creeping back but they are different symptoms then what i had when i started my  eating disorder.  i hope  you don't feel alone I'm in with you :)  
Helpful - 0
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