Thread: My Girlfriend is Eating Nothing But Too Much Cereal!

1. High sugar diet - can stimulate an increase in insulin release causing fat and cholesterol synthesis, therefore unhealthy cholesterol levels and weight gain.
2. Unhealthy weight gain, leading to obesity has its own set of risks: diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease etc.
3. Though she's probably surviving protein wise from the milk (assuming she's drinking whole milk), she's most likely not getting NEAR enough fiber in her daily diet. Not getting enough fiber causes poor digestion, weight gain, low energy.

There is no doubt that her choices of nutrition are directly affecting her moods, the way she feels, her energy etc.

Unfortunately though, as her boyfriend, you can do very little if you can't even talk to her about it. If the Remron is to TREAT her depression, then if her eating habits are a result of depression, the Remron doesn't seem to be doing its job. If she is unwilling to talk with her doc about switching to something else, and if she's unwilling to talk to you about it then you're left with the choice: Can you live your life this way forever with someone like her?

At this point...what she eats is a result of the problem, but is not THE problem. It is much like being with someone who is an addict but refuses help. You will find yourself being a co-dependent enabler.........someone that allows her to be the way she is and in a sense supports it by staying with her just because you're afraid of losing her. It's fine to love someone and stick by during hard times.....but if you're not careful you'll "love her to death".

She needs to go back to her doctor, her medicine is not working. She needs a healthy diet and daily physical activity. MANY people suffer depression, but with lifestyle modifications function quite normally in society. She can do this, but she has to be willing. If she is not, you can't make her. You are important too. Your life is precious too. Don't waste it fighting a battle you alone cannot win. She's either on board or she's off.

Remeron IS NOT the cause of all of that weight gain. Eating GARBAGE is the cause and you knew that.

You need to toughen up a bit with her and stop letting her take the easy way out.

She needs help. Whether that's an increase in her Remeron dosage, therapy for her depression or both. It's time for you to push those buttons and make something happen. Because what you've been doing up to this point isn't working.

I have talked openly and honestly in here about my life long battle with depression, all of the different meds. I've been on, the different types of anti - D meds that are available, etc. I have ZERO medical training and don't claim to be anything other than a guy who battles depression everyday.

Before I bury you with data, I would rather offer it to you and let you know that I am happy to share it IF/WHEN YOU have any questions about depression or anti - D meds or whatever.

I will do my best to answer your questions.

Standing by her is one (honorable) thing. Enabling her to go on and continue to abuse herself and her relationship with you is another.

When you approach this subject with her... do it nutritionally and NOT about her weight. That could further depress her and just drive her to eat more and care less. Although she is gaining a lot of weight she could be SEVERELY malnourished with the diet she is on ... so that let THAT be the focus of your concern for her when you talk to her. If she could see this as a medical/nutirional issue... it might be enough to make her concerned... but if she looks at the weight gain being the only problem it might just cause her to like you say, go into denial about it and eat even more out of spite, out of a desire to control the situation if she thinks you are attempting to take that control.

She is not getting fruits and vegetables, her protein is weak and her carbs are rediculous. She could be developing iron deficiancies, muscle atrophy, diabetes and so many other complications.

She is obviously depressed, her weight gain is very likely adding to it, and feeling like she has failed/is dissapointing you is also (even if you don't feel that way, she's sure to assume it) probably heavily contributing to this vicious cycle.

Ask her to see a doctor to make sure that she is not become mal-nourished or suffering from major vitamin deficianies... tell her that if a doctor agrees that her diet is safe that you will not say one more word about it (obviously no doctor in his right mind would think her diet is anywhere near decent). Explain how much you love her, how you just don't want her to become ill... and be sure to keep the focus on health and nutrition and not the changes her diet has created for her body.

Yes, I agree with Seeker_Advice. You should continue to talk to her about the issue. If not, she is going to just continue her bad eating habits and not only will she suffer but you might as well also.

It has to be stressful to know that your girlfriend is eating horrible and gaining unhealthy weight. Its not fair to you.

Also I'm guessing this has been going on for a while since you said she has gained 60lbs. I suggest you go in strong about this situation. Throw away the junk food in the house and replace it with healthy options. Yes, she will be angry with you but most people are when you stand in front of what they want. You just have to put your foot down at some point.

To make her feel better, you can make breakfast and dinner, and some snacks in between for her. Try to get her to eat 5-6 small meals a day. It will boost up her metabolism. Also she doesn't have to just salad. You guys can try some new recipes together. Buy some candles and eat at the dinner table together and let her know how much you love her.

If you guys like fish, try salmon, its high in protein and low in calories, and with it you can bake some sweet potatoes which are also good for you.

Also you said she like cereal, try buying her a different type of cereal when you throw her old one out. Fiber One Cluster honey oats is a good option and you can put some bananas in it to make it taste better. Also start buying 1% milk my the half gallon and even try almond milk.

You just have to go strong, don't be afraid by what she will say. Just one day when she is gone, go shopping for some healthier food choices, come back to your house and throw away all the junk and replace it with the new meals. Set up the kitchen in a Romantic way, and make a her a good dinner. There are some many good meals you can find online.

Just let her know that you still love her but just worry about her eating habits.

With all due respect to the above posters opinion ... i couldn't disagree more with it. She has to decide for herself when she is ready to change... throwing out her food and replacing it could be met with a defiance toward a healthy diet even more so than before. Not to mention it won't work... not anymore than throwing out an alcoholics 6 pack they had in the fridge... replacing it with a 6 pack of soda pop and thinking 'ah... there, problem solved'.

Tell her you are concerned for her health, express your fears, encourage her to see a doctor and/or nutritionist... but going in like the refrigerator police will likely only be met with resentment. If only it were as easy to get someone to stop eating bad as throwing away their bad food for them, unfortunately... it doesn't work that way. She has to recognize the problem, she has to want to correct it.

"You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make them drink"