"eats like a bird"

**perSue** · 04-29-2009, 09:28 PM

all my life i've heard this. it's rearing itself again & i wanted to ask...

i guess i've never really eaten much. sure i have days where i've gotta hollow leg (who doesnt?!), but more often than not i just have a small appetite.

i eat tons of veggies, lotsa grains, some fruit and am told more recently (not by any medical professional) that i dont get enough protein. ok, maybe not. i dont know. i dont count calories or grams of whatever... i eat when hungry, drink when thirsty, take vitamins/supplements.

i eat a protein bar for breakfast, as i dont like eating early, but get my carbs/protein in the form of a bar. (not the healthiest, but at least i'm eating breakfast.)
lunch is normally beans/rice at home or a pb sammy (if not home) w/fruit.
dinner is usually a salad, sometimes i'll add a bean burger or fish (tho i hate eating meat, i dont have many choices, except beans... cant eat soy or dairy). *sigh*

but, i guess i was wondering more, do any of you get comments about not eating much?
i honestly couldnt eat more than i already do w/out force feeding myself.
i know i need to work on the protein thing, as it might help in weight loss, maintaining energy levels, etc (i'm researching this now)...
but any of you ever get the "eat like a bird" treatment?

thanks

**fernykins** · 04-29-2009, 11:35 PM

I do by my kids.......I am heavy and I can't eat alot........It willmake me sick......My ddil complains to my son that I'm not eating enough. I can't eat the way the Dr wants me to. I would sy would on your protiens because that is what will give you the energy when the carbs wear out.
Fern

**WV_mom_of2** · 04-30-2009, 07:01 AM

I eat too much so noone ever tells me that. But if you are eating a protein bar at breakfast and either beans or pb for lunch, those are a protein! So you are getting at least two servings of protein a day that way.

There is protein in most grain products too according to my diet book. If you can add a little meat or have fish or have beans at dinner too then you are probably ok!

I can tell you that if I were you the next time someone says something about the way you eat say "better to eat too little than too much!"

**ml2620** · 04-30-2009, 09:29 AM

It sounds like you eat a fairly healthy diet, like you said heavy on the veggies. Do you snack? What kind of snacks are you eating?

Just this week I decided I really needed to cut WAY down on my sugar intake so I'm eating alot of unprocessed foods, more veggies and grains sounds a bit more like your diet. I am shocked at how infrequently I am hungry! I can skip snacks now and don't come home from work insane with hunger! Maybe those who suggest you don't eat enough aren't eating the right foods themselves. As long as you are healthy, taking vitamins and maintaining your weight, I don't see how it could possibly be a problem.

I think what you are doing is called conscious eating.

**Contrary Housewife** · 04-30-2009, 11:04 AM

Like you, I eat when I am hungry, drink when thirsty, etc. Your diet is probably fine for you. Unless a doctor or dietician tells you that you need more protein or carbs I wouldn't worry about what other people think. There are far too many overweight and unhealthy people in the world today who have no business giving dietary advice.

**zakity** · 04-30-2009, 01:08 PM

Are you too skinny? Are you a healthy weight? Then you are fine...

Are the people bugging about about it heavier?

**perSue** · 04-30-2009, 01:15 PM

i'm a relatively healthy weight (could stand to lose a few lbs, like 15lbs now away from my ideal (based on height/age/sex/lifestyle)).
but otherwise, i think i'm pretty healthy.

lol
are those heavier? a little, but they're watching "what they eat" too (so they say). lol

i have always wondered in the back of my mind if I eat enough.
I eat til I'm full... rarely if ever do i eat to feel "stuffed" (I dont like that feeling). i just eat so little compared to most others...

even those people on "diets" eat probly twice as much as I do. but i dont eat those frozen "pre"-pared meals or eat those processed food replacement bars (that taste only like candy) or all those others.
(note: my protein bars do have some sugar in them, but i am super conscious of what I buy... the less sugar, higher protein/fiber, the better - for me).

i am trying to bring in more protein (beans mostly) into my diet. like others have said (and in this post too), it brings more energy when the carbs wear off... so I'm willing to try it.

i just wondered if other ppl eat small meals/little bit like i do.

thanks for replying.

**Missy** · 04-30-2009, 01:17 PM

ROFL, my birds eat their weight a day, so when people say that too me, I snicker inside a little.

As long as you feel healthy, have energy, and are eating the things that are good for you...forget them!

**perSue** · 04-30-2009, 01:21 PM

my birds eat their weight a day

wow. I've not ever owned birds, so i didnt know this.
talk about a mis-nomer! LOL

thanks for the chuckle.

**cab54** · 04-30-2009, 01:41 PM

It never ceases to amaze me that people feel they have the right (no--the NEED) to comment on other people's eating! Unless you're consistently eating only a pea at dinner, and weigh 80# or less (in need of medical attention for anorexia), no one should be opening their big pie holes and saying anything!

It sounds as though you eat the diet that I only WISH I could stick to. Veggies, grains, fruits and beans give a lot more protein than people are aware of. And if you're getting in a protein bar, you're probably not lacking protein. (Disclaimer---I am NOT a nutritionist, but I AM a nurse and had a little nutritional training---plus my SIL IS a nutritionist and eats JUST as you describe that you do.)

If you do the right combining of grains and legumes (beans), you will be getting total proteins, and be fine. Ask your doc, make him write it down, stick it to your fridge, and point to it when anyone comments.

**zakity** · 04-30-2009, 04:26 PM

It sounds like you are getting enough calories. And, if you are a little "over", then you are fine. A little over is better than under.

And, everyone's metabolisms are different. I can eat a huge amount of calories and not gain weight. I actually eat more than my husband (like a lot more). He totally eats like a bird. But, I am hyper and he isn't. He is full after he is done eating. I think I would starve to death if I only ate what he does. We are both overweight so it isn't like either of us are withering away to nothing on the amounts that we eat.

And, you know, if someone makes a comment, give them a dirty look and tell them to bite your big toe (or some other colorful phrase). It isn't any of their business how much you eat as long as you aren't obviously malnourished or anorexic or something.