I’m Never Hungry: Causes and What to Do (2024)

It’s normal not to feel hungry from time to time. For example, you may notice that you don’t want to eat much when you’re temporarily sick or stressed. But if you’re never hungry, your appetite loss might indicate an underlying health problem.

This article will discuss several possible mental and physical reasons for a reduced appetite.

Appetite Loss: That Not-Hungry Feeling

Loss of appetite, also known as a decreased appetite, is a reduced desire to eat. Most people occasionally don’t feel hungry. But if you’re going 24 hours or more or even several days at a time without experiencing a desire to eat, it’s important to seek help.

If left untreated, a decreased appetite could lead to complications like unwanted weight loss or malnutrition.

Reasons Why You Might Not Feel Hungry

Some of the reasons you might not feel hungry include pregnancy, illness, aging, and taking certain medications.

Aging

Many people gradually feel less hungry as they age. Around 15% to 30% of older people experience a loss of appetite. Conditions associated with aging, such as dementia, can also reduce your appetite.

Taste changes (dysgeusia) can occur due to chronic diseases or medications and affect appetite. Chewing and swallowing issues can develop due to stroke, dental problems, or other conditions and lead to reduced appetite.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can affect appetite. When under acute, short-term stress, the body releases hormones (such as adrenaline) that regulate the fight-or-flight response. The release of these hormones can temporarily reduce the desire to eat. On the other hand, long-term or chronic stress can make you hungrier and overeat.

Infections

Any illness or infection, from viral infections like colds, influenza, and COVID-19 to bacterial infections like pneumonia, can temporarily decrease your appetite. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and loss of a sense of smell can make food less appetizing.

Medications

Many prescription medications list a decreased appetite as a potential side effect, including:

• Antibiotics
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Codeine
• Morphine
• Sedatives

Depression

Depression is often associated with weight gain and stress eating, but it can also reduce your appetite and lead to unwanted weight loss. Research suggests that this may be due to changes in the areas of the brain that control hunger among people with major depressive disorder (MDD). On a short-term basis, strong emotions like sadness and grief can make a person less hungry.

Digestive Disorders

Nearly any digestive disorder or gastrointestinal problem can lower your appetite. This may be because of unwanted symptoms associated with eating, such as nausea, gas, cramping, and stomach pain. It could also be caused by certain conditions that affect the connection between your brain and your gut.

Examples of digestive disorders that might decrease appetite include:

• Constipation
• Acid reflux
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (chronic acid reflux)
• Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory bowel disease)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  

Pregnancy

During the first trimester of pregnancy, 60% of people experience nausea, vomiting, or reduced appetite, and this may continue through pregnancy. Food aversions, morning sickness, and hormonal changes can all play a role.

Addison's Disease

Addison’s disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, is a condition that causes your body to release insufficient amounts of the hormones aldosterone and cortisol. A loss of appetite is often one of the first symptoms of Addison’s disease, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and stomach pain.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid, is a condition in which your thyroid doesn’t release enough thyroid hormone to keep your body in balance. In its later stages, it can cause a loss of taste and smell, both of which can make you feel less hungry.

Chronic Liver or Kidney Disease

Chronic diseases that affect the kidneys or liver, including kidney failure, hepatitis, liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), and liver failure, have been linked to less hunger, weight loss, and malnutrition. Many people notice that their appetite continues to decline as their disease gets worse.

Cancer

Certain cancers can reduce your appetite, leading to weight loss and fatigue. Not feeling hungry has been linked to the following kinds of cancer:

• Colon cancer
• Gastric cancer (stomach cancer)
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

If you lose your appetite, serious conditions like cancer are rarely to blame. Still, you should talk to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned or notice any other cancer symptoms.

Steps to Get Your Appetite Back

Even when you don’t feel hungry, it’s important to make sure your body is getting enough nutrients each day. Here are a few ways to get your appetite back if you’ve been experiencing a lack of hunger:

• Keep a food diary: Write down everything you eat and drink for a few days, and keep track of symptoms like nausea or bloating. This could help you identify patterns and get to the cause.
• Experiment with tastes: Trying out different flavors might help you get excited to eat again. Season your food with spices and herbs or try new cuisines to tempt your palate. You should also eat foods in a variety of colors and textures.
• Savor your favorites: Some people find that returning to their favorite comfort foods helps them regain their appetite. Keep your pantry stocked with your preferred snacks, or order takeout from your favorite restaurant.
• Get inspired: Find ways to get inspired by food. Try plating your meal in attractive ways, snapping photos of your food, or having guests over to make eating fun again.
• Eat more small meals: Eat five for six small meals a day. It may also help to have drinks between meals rather than with them so you will be able to eat more food.
• Concentrate on nutrient-rich foods: Make what you eat contains maximum nutrition rather than empty calories.

If your lack of appetite is related to a temporary condition, such as stress, your hunger may return on its own. If you’re not hungry because of an underlying health problem, treating that condition might revive your desire to eat. Your healthcare provider may also be able to recommend medications to stimulate your appetite if needed.

How to Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed by Food Prep and Eating

Preparing and eating food can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when you’re not hungry. Here are some of the ways you can make eating feel less stressful and more enjoyable:

• Choose “safe” foods: When in doubt, opt for foods that are appetizing, comforting, and easy to prepare. Always keep simple, nutritious, and ready-to-eat foods (such as crackers and hummus or chips and salsa) in the kitchen so you don’t feel overwhelmed when it’s time to reach for a snack.
• Start small: Some people feel like they can’t stomach a large meal. Try to eat a small, nutrient-rich meal or snack every two hours throughout the day instead.
• Create a relaxing environment: If eating has become stressful, curate your space to make it more inviting. Head to a restaurant with family and friends to enjoy the social experience of eating. Or, if you’re eating at home, try to make your environment as comfortable as possible with dim lighting, adequate temperature control, and soothing music.
• Add drinks: Protein drinks or enriched soups can sometimes be used to replace meals if you’re not up to eating. Talk to a healthcare provider to make sure you’re getting enough calories and nutrients.
  

Summary

If you notice that you don’t feel hungry for several days at a time or more, your lack of an appetite may be due to stress, anxiety, depression, sickness, getting older, pregnancy, gastrointestinal problems, and certain medications.

More rarely, you might lose your appetite because of a serious health condition, such as hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, or cancer.

Consult a healthcare provider if you frequently don’t feel a desire to eat. A medical provider can perform tests to discover, diagnose, and treat any underlying health conditions.