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!

dingus182,
@dingus182@endlesstalk.org avatar

Maybe chewing some ice.

shinigamiookamiryuu,

I thought ice was for when you have too much of an appetite and want to feel like you’re fulfilling it.

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.

Ten_Pound_Dump,

Hot buttered toast!

DeadlineX,

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.

Coreidan,

Microwave?!

Bruh get a toaster lol

DeadlineX, (edited )

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

schmidtster, (edited )

Just toast it less? Even a minute will ehat it enough to melt butter but not very crisp.

DeadlineX,

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.

schmidtster, (edited )

If it’s crispy you’re just toasting it too much, sorry. It’s not toasted, it’s warmed by a toaster,

VaultBoyNewVegas,

deleted_by_moderator

    •
    schmidtster, (edited )

    I am trying to understand, why are they saying toast when it’s not toasted? If it’s crispy enough to be called toast, turn it down some more.

    I’ve never had a toaster that couldn’t put out warm not crispy bread. So yeah it’s confusing that someone would need to use a microwave for what a toaster is designed for.

    assplode,

    One of my favorites when I'm sick!

    Also great to spread some jam on there too

    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.

    JerichoVardez,

    Soup, yogurt or blending a bunch of vegetables/fruit into a smoothie. Tastes awful but it’s easy to down and will keep you alive.

    Son_of_dad,

    I hate vegetables. Hate em. At meals I eat only protein and carbs. The only way I get vegetables is by making veggie smoothies and chugging them. Not bad in the morning with fruit and veggies

    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.

    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

    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

    •
    EatYouWell,

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

    Nihility,
    @Nihility@lemmy.world avatar

    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.

    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?

    0x4E4F, (edited )

    Any form of crackers works for me. Cheese flavored are the best for me, but just about any form of crackers or food that is well baked.

    SzethFriendOfNimi,
    @SzethFriendOfNimi@lemmy.world avatar

    If you’re able to hold solid foods besides the things like Gatorade/pedialite/ensure fig newtons are pretty calorie dense too.

    _danny, (edited )

    My go to is plain white rice with plain chicken thighs if I can stomach meat if not I’ll make it with some chicken broth.

    If you’re struggling to eat for more than like a week you probably should bite the bullet and see a doctor. A prolonged lack of appetite can be a sign of some pretty serious stuff.

    sturlabragason,

    Buttered toast with salt, grapes (possibly frozen), Gatorade.

    FReddit, (edited )

    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.

    MightyWeaksauce,
    @MightyWeaksauce@lemmy.world avatar

    Really appreciate this comment, thank you!

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • asklemmy@lemmy.world
  • localhost
  • All magazines
    •
    Loading…
    Loading the web debug toolbar…
    Attempt #