I am super sick right now and haven’t eaten much in a few days. It’s getting to the point where I am gonna need to force myself to eat something to keep my strength up but everything just sounds terrible to me right now. I have been subsisting mostly on small glasses of milk and the occasional packet of instant oatmeal.
Any suggestions on things to eat that go down easy and has nutritional value? Flavor is pretty far down on my list of requirements right now and I’m finding myself exhausted after chewing a few bites. Any serious suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Chicken soup has a good reputation in this regard.
I saw recently that chicken soup actually causes an immune response of some kind that helps make you better.
They used to call it “Jewish penicillin”
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But I don’t wanna eat hair
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In my area most people suggest Gatorade or pedialyte (my go to). Going without a meal or a few is okay, but make sure to drink, get electrolytes, and make sure it has sugar in it.
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Meal replacement shake (or bar) with calories, vitamins, and minerals. It’s what doctor’s recommended after I hit the pavement.
My doctor suggested Soylent and I found some near me. I was thinking this might be an option.
I’ve had illness that broke my swallowing. Soylent is relatively good tasting, has the nutrients you need, and goes down fast and easy. It isn’t pleasant to live on, but I did it for almost two months and it was way better than only eating soggy bread. I definitely recommend Soylent.
Edit: there’s also (I’m sorry I don’t remember the brand) a really good cinnabon breakfast shake that tastes good and helps break up the monotony of a meal replacement shake only diet.
Seconding Soylent. I had some issues keeping food down a couple years ago because of some medication I was taking. Soylent was one of the few things I could “eat”. I still like it and drink the banana pie one for my lunch when I have to go into the office.
Yeah Soylent is still my go to for breakfast since I have a hard time eating in the mornings in general. I definitely am glad I can eat solid foods now, but Soylent is definitely convenient, easy, and nutritional.
I will admit I’ve only ever had the chocolate and vanilla. I’m not a big vanilla guy, so I pretty much “ate” only chocolate Soylent for a couple months lol. I had to “eat” more often since it’s only 320 I think calories per drink, though. I personally had a goal of 5 a day, so it was definitely hard to keep up the pace, and it got expensive for a time there.
The cinnamon one is Huel, which also has a better nutritional profile than Soylent
I wonder if something like this would be good for me when I’ve no appetite when my IBD flares up.
A few drops of real vanilla extract can make Soylent a bit more palatable if you have a problem with the taste. I haven’t had it for a few years though. I spent a year and a bit mostly just having Soylent and Pho but now I’m back to cooking meals and eating keto.
I think Soylent tastes pretty good honestly. It’s just not great to be the only thing you love off off. It gets a bit monotonous after a couple weeks.
I did like it but found I would add chocolate powder or maple syrup once a day to break the monotony. I was having it for 3 of 4 meals a day.
I think the US hospital sent me home with boxes of brand names : boost and ensure. 100% nutrients type drink.
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MSG sensitivity isn’t a real thing, according to the studies done on it. It was a bad bit of science that got thrown into the news cycle and caused a panic (kinda like the vaccine==autism thing).
If you’re feeling bad from food with MSG in it, it’s probably because your body is pissed at you for consuming so much sodium in general.
Hot buttered toast!
To add to this: cinnamon toast. Butter some bread, smear cinnamon sugar on it and microwave for thirty seconds. With bread goes down easy, and cinnamon toast is definitely the best way I came up with to get some carbs.
Microwave?!
Bruh get a toaster lol
My issue was with my swallowing. So actual toast was too crunchy to reliably get down. When the butter melted in the microwave, it sort of “set” into the bread. So it was super soggy and easily “dissolved” in my throat. So I personally couldn’t really eat “solid” foods. Microwaved cinnamon toast was the best way I found to get carbs.
Edit: could to couldnt
Just toast it less? Even a minute will ehat it enough to melt butter but not very crisp.
Yeah, I tried it toasted. I dealt with this for over two months. I tried just about everything. I know everyone is coming from a good place with these suggestions. I’m trying not to come across unpleasant, but it feels like it has the same energy as asking a depressed person if they’d tried being happy before.
I promise, I tried it. I put effort into putting food into my body that wouldn’t get caught in my throat and make me feel like I was going to choke and die. At one point I had 7 appointments with 6 different doctors in a two and a half week span. I really genuinely put effort into finding something I could eat. Soylent and mashed potatoes and soggy bread got me through it. I got sick of people telling me how much weight I’d lost like I didn’t own a mirror. I got sick of people telling me I’m just not cooking things right.
I went through something I think is similar to op, and I offered my suggestions. I’m not saying this is what op or anyone needs to do.
I’m just saying this is what helped me when I couldn’t eat, give it a shot if you want.
If it’s crispy you’re just toasting it too much, sorry. It’s not toasted, it’s warmed by a toaster,
Wow. Just wow. It’s like you’re not even trying to understand the person you’re replying too, they tried toasting it less and it didn’t work for them. If you’re not prepared to accept the response from someone then you’re better off shutting up.
One of my favorites when I’m sick!
Also great to spread some jam on there too
Nuts are super nutrient-dense. Just a handful gets you a decent amount of calories & protein. You can crush some up and mix with your oatmeal if they’re too much to chew.
I like this idea!
Peanut butter is kinda my go-to snack in general, especially with some of the no sugar added flavored ones (I have one with coffee mixed in that’s amazing).
Nuts and seeds.
With women who have already had breast cancer, taking 12mg of lignin (found in flak and some other seeds) every day correlated with an 80% reduction in death after 5 years.
Beans are good also. As well as Greens, Onions, Mushrooms, & Berries.
(found in flak and some other seeds)
How much anti-aircraft fire do you have to take to get that 12mg though?
I absolutely hate nuts of any kind, I can’t stomach the taste of them. It’s a real shame though because I’ve always known them to be good for you. I was also told to eat them by a dietician when I was underweight. But I never could.
Congee / rice porridge. Cook rice way down until it’s breaking apart. You can go simple/traditional by cooking it in water with a little ginger, or kick it up a notch by cooking it in chicken broth to add more flavor.
This sounds simple and right up my alley!
Oh yeah, rice with a little broth was a lifesaver the last time I was super sick. Drinking broth alone wasn’t cutting it, but the rice was still gentle enough that it didn’t make me want to die when I ate it.
Any soup is good imo. Like Cauliflower soup with bacon and garlic bread. Meat/vegetable soup.
As a last resort drinking broth can work.
It’s about getting energy into your body so you can heal
Disclaimer: English is not my first language and I’m too tired and sick to look them all up
Cauliflower isn’t good, tho.
Add some good (low sugar and low added fats) peanut butter or any other nut butter and/or ground nuts to your oats. Makes for a healthy and calorie rich meal that keeps you sated for a while. It’s easy on the stomach, does not cause the blood sugar to rise quickly and you can eat it spoon by spoon over the whole day, if necessary.
Also don’t forget to drink plenty. I find tea and highly diluted apple juice (like 10%) are ideal when I am sick.
Instant ramen and crack an egg into the boiling water right at the end and stir. Gives it some protein and makes it a more substantial meal.
Chicken soup, plain white rice, buttered toast, peanut butter, and crackers are all things I can usually tolerate when I feel that way. Sometimes banana or vanilla yogurt. I hope you feel better soon!
Chicken soup. Easy to make, can add rice and it is super healthy.
Ingredients: One onion, and you don’t need to cut it to small pieces. One carrot One or two celery stick Whole raw or roasted chicken.
Through everything on big pot, cover with water, lower the heat when start bubbling.
Let it simmer for 40 to 60 minutes.
Add rice or potatoes or any other vegetables you like.
Can freeze really well for months.
Ive had diabetic ketoacidosis a few times. Once it starts coming on you can’t eat Anything. For a couple days or more.
Then the treatment is ice chips and IV insulin for a few days.
Coming out of it, your stomach is the size of a walnut and the thought of eating makes you want to make you puke.
My roads back to eating:
Broth from ramen cups. Liquid meal replacements. If you have a soy allergy, take a close look at the ingredients. Miso broth.
Drinkable yogurt.
Bland pasta with just olive oil.
Granola bars.
My experience is that I eventually get hungry again.
Best of luck dealing with your situation.
Edit: per others, chicken soup (I can get the broth down) and Pedialyte or Gatorlyte. Getting dehydrated does not help.
Really appreciate this comment, thank you!
White bread. Bland enough to avoid eating aversions and puts some energy in you. Plus, most people already have some! Not claiming it’s healthy, but when I’m sick and the thought of eating makes me want to puke it manages to slip past my radar.
Specifically, toasted white bread. The crunch tends to make it more palatable.
its very easy to dehydrate when youre sick, especially if you have diarrhea. Basically your body trying to flush out whatever is irritating you. Most electrolyte packs from pharmacy have glucose added. Glucose is very easily digested and provides energy source when your DI is not working. Also most doctors recommend to drink coke, since its full of sugar and has acidic pH which is bad for viruses. toasted bread also works, easily digestible and doesnt iritate
I’ve struggled with appetite issues for a while now and my go-to whenever I can’t get myself to eat regular food is nutritional drinks like Soylent, Boost etc. Enough calories to replace a meal and you won’t miss out on nutrients.
Name brand ones are unfortunately super expensive so I usually stick to the Kroger Fortify+. I know you said flavor isn’t a priority, but avoid vanilla. It’s wretched. Chocolate is the one that’s most palatable.
