Experiencing a loss of appetite since coming to college?

I’ve often found that when I exercise even moderately that I eat 1) less and 2) better (more healthfully). If you’re happy on top of all that, then that might help to explain why you just have less need for “comfort food” (and you probably have other things keeping you busy), so that you just don’t have the need or time to eat that you used to.

Good for you!

Losing appetite can be a sign a slow thyroid. An easy inexpensive blood test can check that. Although, feeling very nauseas might indicate something else, but still worth checking I think.

You say you are not depressed, which is something I would have suggested, but for now let’s take it at face value you you aren’t. Are you stressed from your studies?

If you were overweight previously, and now much happier and more active, maybe less bored, it is not surprising to me your appetite would fall off a bit, but your sounds quite extreme. How long has this been going on that you feel sick if you eat a reasonable sized meal? In my late teens I went through about 6 weeks of that, the stomach upset was severe, and then it finally went away. My doctor thought maybe it was some sort of odd virus.

How tall are you and what do you weigh?

Any chance you are pregnant?

You are happy so you are not eating for emotional reasons.

You are busy so you’re not eating because you’re bored.

You are exercising a lot more (walking is really good exercise), which naturally curbs your appetite.

As long as you stay the same weightwise, do not worry. Only if you keep losing should you become concerned.

Remember that when this phase of your life ends, you’ll need to watch what you eat again,

If it worries you, I would advise you to stop by the school clinic and talk to either the nurse or a dietitian. It may be any number of things from being in a new environment to ulcers. I am guessing closer to the new environment.

Moving from the south to NYC your body will have to adjust to different bacteria in the food chain, this can take some time if you are a delicate eater to start with. It is a normal process that can sometimes take several weeks.

A daily or 3 times a week multivitamin supplement would probably be a good idea with as little as you claim you are eating. That and check your weight regularly, as long as it isn’t dropping you should be ok with not visiting the clinic.

It could simply be you have other things you want to do other than eat. You are happy. Your body is releasing feel-good endorphins. You are also exercising (even that extra walking is exercise) and exercise can suppress the appetite because it also leads to the release of endorphins. I think getting used to a new routine can mess with our appetite too. As long as you have plenty of energy, you feel well, your skin, nails, hair etc. are all healthy. I wouldn’t worry too much about it right now. If you don’t feel well or have other symptoms then speak to your doctor. If it continues and you feel it is something more than just being busy and less interested in eating, speak to your doctor.

Enjoy this while it lasts. I’m sure you will return to being more hungry at some point, and then you’ll find it difficult to keep your weight down.

If you are worried, talk to a doctor. We don’t really know anything about you, and can’t really give good advice.

I thought about this more. Smoothies, like fruit smoothies? Those have a lot of calories and sugar, your diet doesn’t sound that great actually. Pizza and smoothies. Don’t get me wrong, college usually kids don’t eat the best foods, so it isn’t that unsual. Also, it doesn’t sound necessarily like it is a hunger thing, but maybe the food doesn’t fit in your stomach? That might be something to be concerned about, hard to tell. Since you are so short, the nornal amount you should eat is pretty small.

At slightly under five feet tall, you still need a minimum number of calories/day and nutritionally valuable foods in order to stay healthy.

“It’s 4 pm now, and I have yet to eat anything more than a bag of chips, and six oreos, and I’m not even hungry. Oh yeah- and I woke up at six am today!”

That is dangerous and needs addressing. No matter how you may be feeling now, you are heading for disaster.

You have every reason to be alarmed and should be seeking professional advice. We here can be concerned but have no credentials.

Head to student health, please. You are happy with school and your life, it sounds like. Don’t be sabotaged by a medical issue.