Feeling full after only a few mouth-fulls of food?

Question

I'll give a bit of history first, I could always eat loads, I could have a full plate of food washed down with fizzy drinks, then crisps, chocolates, ice cream etc.

I weighed just over 13 stones and decided to do something about it.

I limited my calorie intake to 1,300 calories per day.

10 months on and I have lost just under 4 stones, which I am happy with.

However, I can hardly eat anything, I get so full after just a few mouth-fulls.

It started happening once I lost around 3.5 stones and it has got worse.

I am obviously skinnier and more toned than I was before. It is a really stupid question but, does the stomach shrink when someone loses weight?

Or could it be a medical problem?

I love food so I don't have a negative "relationship" with it, but I just seem to be wasting loads because I literally can't eat it because I am so full so quickly.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Your stomach shrinks. Reasons for this is survivalbility. When you weigh less you need less calories to function thus your body no longer takes in huge amounts of food. It doesn't want huge chunks of food weighing it down when it only need 1/3 of it.

Answer 2

Yes it can shrink (according to some studies, but not all)

Especially after a large amount of weight loss. 1300 calories per day is not a healthy amount whether trying to lose weight or not and this would probably be the cause.

Trying to eat more even if you're full, should help (although obviously don't eat TOO much).

1300 calories per day though is not healthy and if you're still doing that I suggest you stop. 1500 should be the absolute minimum.... and even then its better to eat more than that.

Answer 3

The stomach is highly adaptable, and it does actually shrink down if you limit portion size.

But after living on 1300kcals a day it sounds like you're just not used to eating "properly" anymore. It's sort of like what happens to people who have been starving, or are rescued at sea etc. If you give them too much food or water they can actually kill themselves by ingesting it too quickly. I'm not saying you're in any danger what so ever, I'm just saying it's probably part of the same mechanism.

Could also be a byproduct of an Atkins-style/TOO high protein diet?

Answer 4

When you lower your intake of food your stomach will shrink back as it will get used to the amount you are now eating. I have the same thing. I used to eat loads, but now i have lowered my food intake I struggle to eat a lot which is good i suppose lol, but when you are out for a nice meal and can't eat it all it's frustrating haha!!

If you really feel that you are not ingesting as many calories as you need, then just start to introduce more food when you are full. Once you feel full try and eat 3 to 5 mouthfulls more to stretch your tummy a bit. Or if thats not working try eating a few more snacks in between meals to up your calorie intake.

But seriously, just lower the amount of food you are actually cooking for yourself. In UK we call this having "eyes too big for your belly" when you cook more food than you need :)

It's not unhealthy for you too eat less. Your brain is telling you that you are full, listen to it!

Answer 5

Stomach tumor taking up space.