I am a 15 year old female. Since about 6 months ago, I didn't eat as much and it slowly got worse, to the point where I would only have one or two small snacks or nothing at all to eat a day.
Then whenever I ate I threw up. I didn't make myself throw up but after I did throw up it felt better and I occasionally made myself sick. I don't have any issues with my weight. I am very sporty anyway and I don't usually think about whether I'm fat or not. I just really don't like the feel of food in my stomach and I don't like the feel of it going down my throat.
I spoke to a teacher at school and we have tried something that includes me having breakfast every day. I have done this for the last two weeks. I have researched Bulimia and anorexia and I don't think that the amount I eat and the way I feel about food has much to do with my opinion on my weight. If you could give me any hint in the right direction that would be great.
When eating leaves you feeling unwell
Feeling sick after eating is more common than many people realise, and there are several possible explanations. Some are straightforward and easy to address, while others may need medical attention.
If you find yourself eating very little, skipping meals, or only managing small snacks throughout the day, your body may not be getting the energy it needs. This pattern can develop for many reasons, including stress, busy schedules, or a difficult relationship with food. When you do eat again, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable, particularly if anxiety or physical inactivity have also affected your digestion.
Physical causes to consider
There are many reasons why food might make you feel unwell. A food intolerance or allergy can cause nausea, bloating or stomach pain after certain meals. Dairy and certain additives are common triggers. Gluten can also cause problems, though conditions like coeliac disease or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity require professional diagnosis.
Digestive conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome or gastritis can also cause discomfort during or after eating. Even eating too quickly or consuming large amounts of processed food and fizzy drinks can leave you feeling sluggish or queasy. Dehydration and an unbalanced diet can make these symptoms worse.
In some cases, the sensation of food in your mouth or the act of swallowing causes discomfort or distress. This can be linked to sensory processing differences, anxiety, or conditions affecting the throat and oesophagus. These experiences are worth mentioning to a healthcare professional, as they can help identify what might be going on.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
When to see a GP
If feeling sick after eating has become a regular occurrence, it is worth booking an appointment with your GP. This is particularly important if you are also losing weight unintentionally, experiencing pain, or finding it difficult to eat enough to get through the day.
Keeping a food and symptom diary before your appointment can help your GP understand what you are experiencing. Note when the discomfort happens, what you have eaten, and what the sensation feels like. This information helps narrow down possible causes and decide whether further tests are needed.
Your GP may refer you to a gastroenterologist or dietitian depending on what they suspect. Blood tests or stool samples are often used as initial investigations. An endoscopy may be recommended if these assessments suggest it is necessary to rule out specific conditions.
Getting the right support
Speaking to someone you trust, whether a teacher, family member or friend, is a useful first step. But ongoing physical symptoms need proper medical investigation.
If your relationship with food has become difficult or distressing, support is available. Beat, the UK eating disorder charity, offers a helpline and online resources for anyone struggling with eating. You can also self-refer to NHS talking therapies if anxiety around food is affecting your daily life.
You deserve to eat without discomfort, and seeking help can make a real difference. With the right support, many causes can often be identified and managed.
I usually try to power through it with a lot of smoothies, Gatorade, etc, and making myself swallow three spoons of peanut butter with every meal. Sometimes the peanut butter makes me throw up but at least I know I tried.
What usually helps me through is eating small things like sunflower seeds and the time period of opening the shell to get to the seed will let the nausea ease up. Other things I will do are get plain dry Cheerios, because they are the most ‘tasteless’ food you’re going to find and eat those dry one at a time over a long period of time.
Hope this helps- good luck!
I had to force myself to eat anything and that slowly. And I especially can't stand the thought of eating if I feel hungry or eating things i like because i'm afraid of binging.
I've been waking up in the middle of the night and morning starving but still can't make myself eat more than a few nuts. Plus every time I eat anything now I feel I'll though without the urge to throw up.
I'm overweight and not focused on my weight or counting calories(though the fact i'm loosing weight makes me feel reluctant to stop) so my therapist says I'm not becoming anorexic. Besides that I can't seem to find anything about this online. Wtf is going on with me? And what do I do about it? I'm kind of confused.
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