DEAR HARRIETTE: I take medication for ADD, and I have lost around 15 pounds because I have been forgetting to eat. My medication completely subdues my appetite, and I notice I haven’t eaten only when I feel weak and sluggish. I know many people have the opposite problem with food, but people have expressed their concern for my figure, not knowing that I am on medication. How can I remind myself to eat when I don’t get hungry anymore? -- Higher Dosages, Brooklyn, New York
DEAR HIGHER DOSES: Your first stop needs to be to your doctor to make sure that your dosage is right. Ask about the side effect of such a dramatic lack of appetite. You may need an adjustment in your prescription, which only your doctor can address.
What you can do is practical. Set an alarm on your phone or travel clock every four hours. When it sounds, that’s time to eat something, whether it is a healthy snack or a full meal. Using technology to support your health can make it easier for you to remember to eat. Be sure to be prepared with foods that will nourish your body. Your responsibility in this is essential for you to establish balance in your health.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)