What is good to eat when you have no appetite?

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!

Simulation6,

Chicken soup has a good reputation in this regard.

TWeaK,

I saw recently that chicken soup actually causes an immune response of some kind that helps make you better.

Spyder,

Meal replacement shake (or bar) with calories, vitamins, and minerals. It’s what doctor’s recommended after I hit the pavement.

MightyWeaksauce,
@MightyWeaksauce@lemmy.world avatar

My doctor suggested Soylent and I found some near me. I was thinking this might be an option.

DeadlineX, (edited )

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.

WestwardWind,

The cinnamon one is Huel, which also has a better nutritional profile than Soylent

DeadlineX,

Awesom! Thank you. I didn’t realize it had a better nutritional profile. I wonder what the calories are like. I will have to look into it again for my breakfasts.

VaultBoyNewVegas,

I wonder if something like this would be good for me when I’ve no appetite when my IBD flares up.

DeadlineX,

It probably would be honestly. It kinda to me was like drinking a glass of chocolate milk that was mixed with chalk. It doesn’t sound appetizing but it really isn’t that bad.

jecht360,
@jecht360@lemmy.world avatar

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.

DeadlineX,

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.

mycatiskai,

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.

DeadlineX,

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.

mycatiskai,

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.

Spyder,

I think the US hospital sent me home with boxes of brand names : boost and ensure. 100% nutrients type drink.

PeleSpirit,

If you suffer from allergic or any kind of reactions to MSG, watch for those in the ingredients. I’m not sure about soylent, but pediasure and boost definitely have it in it.

EatYouWell,

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.

PeleSpirit,

Lmao, it’s a thing. It’s probably because it raises your histamine levels, but it’s still a thing. You’re one of those that thinks because you don’t have it, nobody does.

EatYouWell, (edited )

Did you not read my comment at all?

There were studies done that weren’t based on anecdotal evidence that disproved the concept of MSG sensitivity.

They took a bunch of people with self reported MSG sensitivity and gave them either MSG or a placebo, and there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups.

This is no different than people thinking that WiFi is causing them headaches.

PeleSpirit,

deleted_by_author

    •
    EatYouWell,

    I shouldn’t need to since the FDA does it for you.

    You can type 7 characters into Google as easily as I can. I believe in you.

    PeleSpirit,

    deleted_by_author

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    EatYouWell,

    Humans aren’t biologically different because they live in another country.

    SlurpDaddySlushy,

    I make broth with Better Than Bouillon.

    irreticent,
    @irreticent@lemmy.world avatar

    Yum. Also, careful of the sodium. Drink in moderation, or dillute it a lot.

    tal,
    @tal@lemmy.today avatar

    to eat something to keep my strength up

    I wouldn’t worry too much if you haven’t eaten for a few days. I know of one instance where someone who was seriously obese went on a diet, and aside from vitamins and water, went over a year without eating. I’ve done over a week myself for the hell of it. Unless you’re absolutely emaciated or have some sort of medical condition that creates a need for it, you can probably handle going for quite a while without food.

    All that being said, this isn’t to encourage doing it. Just that you’re probably not creating any kind of dire health situation if you don’t eat for a while.

    irreticent,
    @irreticent@lemmy.world avatar

    While it may be true that you can survive without food, it should be mentioned that we need energy to heal and recover from illness. Food provides the energy we need to heal.

    Please eat at least a little bit while trying to recover from illness.

    Thoven,

    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.

    Aqarius,

    Specifically, toasted white bread. The crunch tends to make it more palatable.

    russjr08,
    @russjr08@outpost.zeuslink.net avatar

    Oatmeal is my go to! Whenever I land in the hospital due to my Crohn’s issues, I end up having a lot of it. It’s thick enough to feel full from it, and while it doesn’t have the most of nutrients, its better than nothing.

    It helps that if you add some flavoring of your choice to it, it doesn’t taste bad and thus makes it even better.

    Azzu,

    Relevant recent post:

    https://startrek.website/pictrs/image/e8b83de5-52ff-4220-9b11-a6ba1b688649.jpeg?format=webp

    russjr08,
    @russjr08@outpost.zeuslink.net avatar

    Ahaha, very relatable! Although personally I tend to keep mine relatively simple, I just add some cinnamon and sugar into mine (which is also what I do with Cream of Wheat for the few times that I have it).

    Whenever you go to the hospital for GI related issues (or for surgeries in general I imagine), they always restrict you to not having anything to eat/drink, then they allow clear liquids, then they allow soft foods, and finally “full” (some hospitals will have a few other steps in between) and oatmeal falls into the “soft foods” category, but often times things like fruits won’t - but cinnamon and sugar has always been allowed for me so I’ve just gotten used to only having my oatmeal with those two things added in.

    theherk,

    I do like to add a lot to my hot oats or overnight oats, but when I’m trying to cut calories I still find oats are good if and only if you add enough salt. Even plain oats and water is fine with salt. Without, it just tastes like feet.

    mostNONheinous,

    I don’t quite get this meme, this is what cooking is. We add shit to everything to make it taste better. It’s like saying anyone defending chicken tells me it’s great once I add 17 things to it. Yea you can eat chicken plain but most of us now consider people that do so to be psychopaths when just salt and pepper makes it better, but there are still a ton of other ways to season or accent it with other ingredients.

    Azzu,

    Seasoning is not included in this I think. It’s only stuff like strawberries, banana and whatever people put in their oatmeal, idk, I don’t eat it. So actual other foods. I.e. a chicken breast by itself is a percectly fine food, a strawberry is as well.

    But yeah I mean it’s meant to be a joke, like you say, things taste better/different together, or only taste good if mixed with something, and that’s perfectly fine.

    namingthingsiseasy,

    while it doesn’t have the most of nutrients

    You can always add fruit to it though. Frozen berries in oatmeal are fantastic. I also like adding peanut butter too.

    WeLoveCastingSpellz,

    Get better soon!

    MightyWeaksauce,
    @MightyWeaksauce@lemmy.world avatar

    Thank you :)

    tierelantijntje,

    When I have issues eating I go for non-offensive foods that are easy to swallow such as a can of white beans in tomato sauce, plain full fat Greek yoghurt, oatmeal made with milk and not water, lentil soup. I sometimes make 1000 kcalorie smoothies with half an avocado, 2 tbsp peanut butter, cup of 10% fat yogurt, a banana, 1/2 cup oatmeal and enough orange juice to make it liquid. Will not win any taste awards but does contain a bunch of good stuff.

    governorkeagan,

    I’ve done the smoothie before as well, not the same recipe but high calorie smoothies none the less.

    its_prolly_fine,

    Chicken broth and saltine crackers.

    TheGreenGolem,

    Chicken broth, yes! I tend to cure my hungover with it. Works wonders.

    foggy,

    I find greasy umami stuff in small quantities gets me from “hunger nausea” to “hunger”

    E.g buttered toast.

    NaoPb,

    So the taste of buttered toast is umami? In that case, I LOVE umami!

    Oisteink,

    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

    SpaceNoodle,

    Cauliflower isn’t good, tho.

    Oisteink,

    It is not about taste but getting well

    SpaceNoodle,

    I don’t think it would help to induce vomiting.

    Oisteink,

    In your case I fear there is no hope. Good luck though

    rem26_art,
    @rem26_art@kbin.social avatar

    if you can find Miso Paste, or even instant Miso anywhere, that's usually one of my go to's. I'd stick to white miso cuz its more bland than awase or red miso. Just put like a tablespoon in a mug and put hot (not boiling) water over it and stir. It's yummy and got salt which might help you absorb water better and save off dehydration. Depending on where you live, you might find miso paste in the refrigerated section of the supermarket

    Pair that with a hard boiled egg for a bit of protien and thats usually what I do.

    Spacemanspliff,

    Specifically the ‘healthy living’ and vegan section of the refrigerated section, usually near the kombucha and other fermented things.

    sour,
    @sour@kbin.social avatar

    you can put dried seaweed in it

    yyyesss,

    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.

    MightyWeaksauce,
    @MightyWeaksauce@lemmy.world avatar

    This sounds simple and right up my alley!

    frickineh,

    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.

    StickyDango,

    And also adding pieces of chicken (cooked leftovers or raw, can even be bbq chicken) and eggs (any type, really). I use an Instant Pot on the porridge setting and use frozen chicken, bones or meat. Works a treat. Otherwise, I used to put everything on low overnight in a slow cooker to be ready when I wake up.

    I’ve also used frozen fish, which is pretty good. It just falls apart in to flakes.

    Top off with some spring onions, soy sauce, sesame oil before eating. All very delicious and easy to eat when you’re sick af and have a bad sore throat.

    tburkhol,

    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.

    MightyWeaksauce,
    @MightyWeaksauce@lemmy.world avatar

    I like this idea!

    EatYouWell,

    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).

    TWeaK,

    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.

    hydrospanner,

    (found in flak and some other seeds)

    How much anti-aircraft fire do you have to take to get that 12mg though?

    qooqie, (edited )

    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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