Not eating enough

[Upside Down Eagle]

Since the loss of a family member my eating has shifted into a very destructive pattern.
It´s been 6 weeks since she passed. I lost a lot of weight and frequently puke due to stress.

Generally I don´t have any appetite and when I eat, I feel messed up. Also I have trouble focusing on the act of eating (I prefer to be distracted) which means that I will not be very aware of how I eat, so it´s possible that I don´t chew enough (causing more problems).

I have some trouble going to the supermarket, people frighten me at the moment. I was wondering if any of you are dealing with the same thing, and do you know of anything I can do to "jumpstart" a normal eating pattern again.

 

[jaccat]

A similar thing happened to me when my father died. I had no appetite and no interest in food. I remember I ate nothing but soup for a while.

I think routine helps. Sticking to regular mealtimes, even if that meal is just a piece of toast. And not worrying too much about what you're eating as long as it's something.

 

[New]

Exactly what jaccat said... try sticking to a routine.

I love soup and it is the one thing I can always eat no matter what. Usually one with a lot of broth soothes me.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Try energy bars and soup and shakes and broth. I lost my appetite too when my husband died and my BIL went out and got food for me. I was not hungry nor was I eating. But when he brought food, I realized how hungry I really was so try to put in the easy and simple things to eat. I wish you had someone who looked after you to help you out at this time. Boiled eggs are good too if you have the energy to boil the eggs. Just simple and easy to prepare foods, I do not know if you like milk, but it does help ease any stomach problems if you like it that is. Good luck.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I´m too low in energy to make soup but energy bars sound like a good idea. I hadn´t considered it. I´ll buy crackers as well... and bananas. Today I ate 1 boiled egg and a bit of factory-made cake :D

Thanks all :) :)

 

[user44376]

Honestly? Try weed if that’s an option. Increase of appetite is one of its biggest positives.

 

[spooky lil girl]

I have had the same problem. Some things that may help you as they have me are: Eating on a schedule no matter the quantity. Such as 8am/12pm/4pm/8pm. You get the picture. Things to grab when we don't have enough motivation or energy to cook are: A tablespoon of peanut butter (if not allergic). Cottage cheese, yogurt, slices of cheese, even canned or deli meat on crackers and so on. Things may not be the most healthy but easiest to grab and get into your body. The priority during these times is to eat SOMETHING and above all we need proteins. You have my heartfelt sympathy as I deal with this personally. So: Schedule, Proteins. Best wishes to you.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

@AddHomnym I am trying to quit, haha... last time I smoked was three weeks ago. It´s a good idea though.
But I have surgery in January and the surgeon wants me to quit smoking in advance.

Thanks! Today I´m eating bananas and I´m trying oatmeal :)

 

[Muted]

Nothing can make me eat when I lose my appetite. Drinking can help relax me enough to get a meal down, but then I’m trading one issue for another.

 

[user44376]

Nothing can make me eat when I lose my appetite. Drinking can help relax me enough to get a meal down, bu...

I’m almost thankful I was a degenerate alkie as a teenager and have lost all taste for booze. I can’t even imagine being drunk and having PTSD lol. Weed is my medicine. Do you blaze as well? Highly recommend as a substitute.

 

[Muted]

I’m almost thankful I was a degenerate alkie as a teenager and have lost all taste for booze. I can...

It helps me relax to drink, I don’t usually drink too much, because I have control issues too ha ha.
No, it’s not legal here where I live.

 

[Friday]

I'm in a bad run at the moment @Rad

I ate on the 7th, & the 10th and sort of realized last night (16th) that had pretty much been it.

My caveat is that I do drink at least a couple teaspoons to tablespoons of sugar a day. That was a safety-net against starvation I set up a long time ago; sugared espresso & sugar sodas, so that no matter what I'm getting something for my brain every day.

So I'm back to eating a pinch of bacon crumbles first thing after I wake up. I keep a kilo bag of them in the freezer or fridge at pretty much all times. It isn't a lot, but it's protein & fat & my body can deal with it. So I keep it around as a safety measure. And it's also an easy way to throw some extra nutrients on potatoes or salads once I'm eating more normally.

Next up will be nutrition drinks (both total nutrition meal replacement shakes, and things like V8 & soup). Also some super easy to digest (simple carbohydrates; pasta & French fries) / small volume foods tacos, gyoza, etc. Then I'll be working my way back to sandwiches.

If you can eat dairy without getting sick, my first line of defense used to be milk products. Milk is a superfood, has everything you need in it (fats, sugars, proteins, vitamins, minerals). Instead of a pinch of bacon I used to have a piece of Brie or toasted ham&swiss baguette every morning. A yogurt sometime during the day, kefir & hot chocolate (or chocolate milk) to drink. My diet reeeeeally went sideways when my stress levels shut off my ability to digest dairy. I'd spent years building up my emergency routine, and coming up with a new one has meant a lot of trial and error.