Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with eatinghabits

I will not eat them in a bowl / I will not eat them with a roll.

Scattercat — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:24:54 -0800

Cats are weird. Help me figure out if this shift in eating habits is a problem. So for the past two weeks or so, our cats (two males, neutered, not declawed, strictly indoor, adopted at barely more than two months old, both brothers, lived together their whole lives) have stopped eating. That is, they eat about half the food we put out for them.

- The food has not changed and is the same brand (Science Diet) which they've eaten their whole lives.

- They still beg for food at the appropriate times (morning and evening), but do not eat it when it is provided to them.

- Even their once-every-two-days-or-so pouches of wet food in gravy fail to excite their appetites. That is, they get all frantic and happy and then lick the gravy off, but they don't eat the actual food. (One of them has always done this, for reference, but usually his brother snarfs up the rest of it.)

They don't seem to be otherwise affected or unhappy. We haven't seen any dramatic weight gains or losses, or any shifts in behavior or attitude. (I mean, they're pretty neurotic, but they're not noticeably differently neurotic.)

What's up, cat-loving Mefites? When should we get worried about them?

(As far as lifestyle changes or disruptions, we're planning to move in about three weeks, but presumably the cats don't speak enough English to realize this, and packing has not progressed to the point where the structure of the house is different. Two bookshelves are empty now, basically.)

Why does Sphinx the cat suddenly want people food?

ersatzkat — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:45:37 -0800

Our 5 year old cat has developed a sudden interest in "people food". He's a very healthy, neutered male that we adopted at age 2, so we don't have a full background on him. He's always sniffed people food and then turned away from it, but the past 3 days or so he's expressed a meow-y interest in whatever we're eating, especially if it's bready or cracker-y or otherwise carb-like. His own eating habits (his cat food) haven't changed or slacked off, and his water intake and litter box habits are normal. He's due for a yearly checkup this weekend and we're planning on asking the vet about it, but I'd appreciate any insight between now and then.

Think Thin!

Ambrosia Voyeur — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:12:49 -0800

Tips and tricks for keeping psyched up during weight loss? Last year, I lost the most substantial amount of weight, 45 pounds, I'd ever shed, over apx. 9 mos., returning to my high school figure. Tragically, disappointingly, I went crazy with weight gain over the past few months, upon encountering some pretty depressing obstacles in my life. I fell hard off the wagon, gaining all but 10 pounds back. My wardrobe situation is dire.

Anyway, I just signed up for new dance classes, and put Weight Watchers meetings on my calendar (although I think I'll keep using my calories burned/consumed spreadsheet on Google Docs rather than adhering to points) and my car broke down so I'll definitely be riding my bike 6 miles to work like I should. I have a gym membership and I like going (though I usually have to chug a diet redbull to get there). I can meal and snack plan brilliantly. I know I can lose the weight, I just bloody did, just learned how to enjoy fitness, but then blew it. (I'll delve into maintenance issues later, and probably in weekly WW meetings.)

Today I got an email from my work, announcing a Biggest Loser contest. Well! I happen to be the most overweight employee as well as the most competitive. I am in it to win it!

What are some good ways to keep my attitude on track, to distract myself from my displeasure over how I am or soothe my constant food desires and keep my eyes on the prize? I'm a typical social/emotional/bored eater. I just feel like I forget to make good decisions sometimes, how to remember??

Dieting: how to stop notions of comfort food, and food as reward?

CaptApollo — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 10:49:33 -0800

Need to lose weight: How can I stop thinking of food as comfort, as a reward, or as the main event of any celebration? My partner and I need to lose a whole lot of weight (~60lbs each). We know that one of our biggest problems is that we were both raised with the idea of "comfort food" and that eating out, or even cooking a nice meal in was a "reward" or the main event in any celebration.

How can we change our mindset so that other things (suggestions appreciated) are associated with comfort/reward/pleasure?

How can I overcome my visual distaste and eat more fruits and vegetables?

longbaugh — Thu, 19 Aug 2004 10:57:58 -0800

Fussy-Filter
I am a very visual eater and extraordinarily stubborn. After avoiding pretty much all fruit and veg my entire life I am trying to take the plunge and expand my dietary horizons (without expanding my waistband). How can I get over the mental block of eating green and orange stuff? Can anyone recommend an easy way to get on the fruit and veg wagon or recipes that conceal the deadly veg from mine eyes?