Remembering to eat independently

Hi :) I struggle with eating too (also really bad at recognising hunger and fullness and find it hard to maintain weight) though forgetting is not really the issue for me. I think like other people have pointed out you could try setting timers, though I know this doesn't work for everyone (I had a friend who could get so hyperfocused that she could just keep doing whatever she did despite 100s of timers going off).

Building a routine will probably also help- build the eating into your day so that it becomes tied to other things you do and so that it becomes a habit- You are starting in Cambridge? Is eating socially something you feel comfortable with? (I know I personally struggle with that especially at the moment but you might like it). You could for example make it a habit to go to hall (cafeteria in college or in your department) for lunch or dinner on set days of the week (or every day). When I say tie eating to your daily routine I mean things like: for example on Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays you may have a lecture from 11-12 in New Museum site. You could make it a routine that you walk back home past the market or past Pret a manger (or whatever food place you like), go in there, buy/eat some food and then go home or to the library. Or if you prefer to eat at home and cook yourself, you could make it a habit to go home, first thing you do is unpack your bag, then make a meal. What might also help is just the routine of university. During my first year in Cambridge I often had practicals and there was often not so much time for lunch but a few friends/other people on my course and I would then always go to quickly grab some lunch together (eg. on market, aromi, wasabi etc)- so there was no way I could have forgotten on those days as my practical partner would go for lunch. For the Chemistry practicals we even had this routine going of going out for lunch together (either at a chinese buffet or a thai place)- that became our ritual and it was very nice. You can also build routines with cooking etc. but it always helps to tie your eating to other things that you know you remember to do. 

I would also recommend making eating as easy as possible by always having a snack available/with you and having easy things at home that you can cook or just eat (I find eggs are amazing but that's just me) -I don't know what you like? Also it might help to just have snacks lying on your desk/ somewhere where you can see them so that you are more inclined to remember to eat. 

In terms of preventing weight loss, it might be good to go for some quite energy dense foods so that when you do remember to eat, at least you get quite a lot of nutrients- things like nut butters, nuts might be good snacks, avocado? (though personally I am not a big fan and I think the most important is to go with foods you like and feel comfortable with.) Experimenting with frequency of meals might also be an idea - some people find it easier to eat fewer but larger meals, I personally think smaller regular meals are better for me (due to my digestion), but this is a very personal thing. 

You say that you have a friend who was great at reminding you to eat? If you are very concerned, could you ask him to text you/ring you to remind you for first days? Though you might want to give it a go on your own first? You will figure this out- starting uni will be great! Especially Cambridge is amazing! 

Hi :) I struggle with eating too (also really bad at recognising hunger and fullness and find it hard to maintain weight) though forgetting is not really the issue for me. I think like other people have pointed out you could try setting timers, though I know this doesn't work for everyone (I had a friend who could get so hyperfocused that she could just keep doing whatever she did despite 100s of timers going off).

Building a routine will probably also help- build the eating into your day so that it becomes tied to other things you do and so that it becomes a habit- You are starting in Cambridge? Is eating socially something you feel comfortable with? (I know I personally struggle with that especially at the moment but you might like it). You could for example make it a habit to go to hall (cafeteria in college or in your department) for lunch or dinner on set days of the week (or every day). When I say tie eating to your daily routine I mean things like: for example on Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays you may have a lecture from 11-12 in New Museum site. You could make it a routine that you walk back home past the market or past Pret a manger (or whatever food place you like), go in there, buy/eat some food and then go home or to the library. Or if you prefer to eat at home and cook yourself, you could make it a habit to go home, first thing you do is unpack your bag, then make a meal. What might also help is just the routine of university. During my first year in Cambridge I often had practicals and there was often not so much time for lunch but a few friends/other people on my course and I would then always go to quickly grab some lunch together (eg. on market, aromi, wasabi etc)- so there was no way I could have forgotten on those days as my practical partner would go for lunch. For the Chemistry practicals we even had this routine going of going out for lunch together (either at a chinese buffet or a thai place)- that became our ritual and it was very nice. You can also build routines with cooking etc. but it always helps to tie your eating to other things that you know you remember to do. 

I would also recommend making eating as easy as possible by always having a snack available/with you and having easy things at home that you can cook or just eat (I find eggs are amazing but that's just me) -I don't know what you like? Also it might help to just have snacks lying on your desk/ somewhere where you can see them so that you are more inclined to remember to eat. 

In terms of preventing weight loss, it might be good to go for some quite energy dense foods so that when you do remember to eat, at least you get quite a lot of nutrients- things like nut butters, nuts might be good snacks, avocado? (though personally I am not a big fan and I think the most important is to go with foods you like and feel comfortable with.) Experimenting with frequency of meals might also be an idea - some people find it easier to eat fewer but larger meals, I personally think smaller regular meals are better for me (due to my digestion), but this is a very personal thing. 

You say that you have a friend who was great at reminding you to eat? If you are very concerned, could you ask him to text you/ring you to remind you for first days? Though you might want to give it a go on your own first? You will figure this out- starting uni will be great! Especially Cambridge is amazing!