How to eat (when you don't feel like eating)

Published: 8/5/2025

Much of the time, I don't feel like eating. I'm always working on something and I would rather go about my day without the inconvenience of fueling up. I also sometimes struggle with a low appetite. Here are my top tips for eating when you don't feel like it:

Eat quickly

Don't give your stomach a chance to tell you it's full! Don't put the fork down. Keep shoveling.

Use distractions

Watch TV, read a book, or scroll.

Consume liquid calories

Smoothies, shakes, milk, Gatorade, and coconut water are all easy to eat and their calories can help add to your total. You can even add olive oil to shakes or take shots.

Eat many small meals

Sometimes I eat as many as seven meals a day, which is around every hour and a half. I eat 3-4 larger meals with smaller meals in between. Figure out how many calories you are comfortable eating at once and use that to determine how many meals of what size you need to eat.

Eat on a schedule

After you've determined how many meals works for you, make a schedule and set alarms for your meals. If you skip meals, it may be difficult to catch up. Start early!

Prep your food

Having food prepped and ready to go will make you more likely to eat all your meals, instead of skipping them.

Bring food with you

Adding on to that, if you are going out for the day, make sure you bring your food with you in a cooler or insulated bag.

Manage anxiety

If anxiety is something that stops you from eating, work on regulating your response to stress. Journaling, breathing exercises, yoga, and therapy are all helpful strategies.

Eat highly palatable foods

These foods are your favorite foods that you find easy to eat. Examples would be ice cream or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.