Help

[DeusXM]

One of the problems I have when I get severe depression is that I completely and utterly lose my appetite to the point that the thought of eating anything makes me feel sick.

I am currently going through the most traumatic and heart-breaking experience of my life at the moment. I'm not going to go into any further details on this apart from the fact it has triggered off a complete loss of appetite.

The problem I have is that I am already worrying thin following my bout of pneumonia where I didn't eat for a week. I now haven't eaten properly for the last 48 hours or so and I am starting to look a little too much like Christian Bale in The Machinist. Although I am hungry, I literally cannot stomach the thought of food.

I need some advice on food that is high calorie that I can eat very quickly without too much chewing - the more I'm aware of eating, the less I want to do it. I'm currently existing on yoghurt but I know I need more than that so any suggestions will be very gratefully received. Thank you.

[soso]

Heavy cream has a lot of calories.. if you whip it and add a bit of sweetener and say instant coffee it is easy to eat as it does not feel like it has much substance.
Scrambled eggs with cream or mix a few spoons of cream cheese with an egg and a bit of sweetener.. microwave and pour some cream on when it is set, high calorie and goes down well and quickly.. 400 calories or more and only takes about 30 seconds to eat.. pretty much no chewing required.


Sorry you are going through bad times man, sending you a cyber hug and good thoughts.. try to eat as much as you can...

[ShottleBop]

There are low-carb protein shakes (Atkins and Premier Nutrition, for example) that might be helpful, nutrition-wise. They tend to run about 160 calories, though, so may not pack enough punch for you.

[Subby]

Sorry to hear of your troubles and depression, that's not fun at all. I can only suggest what I've eaten in the past when very upset or not eating much. Putting carbs question aside, really, if you need sustenance through a hard time, it's right to find anything that you can get into you as long as your control doesn't go completely up the creek.

Tinned fruit of some kind often just slip down without thinking about it, and you'll still get fibre and nutrients. I have a mate I work with who no matter how upset he is (and hey he can't talk or walk, would get you down now and then I imagine), he will eat that tinned stuff "rice cream". It's like a bland diary/rice mix, again slips down and is one of the ultimate comfort foods.

I used to like grated apple as a kid when I was sick, just slides down. The aforementioned eggs are another possibility.

I know it sounds wrong but baby foods and purees may be other things to look at. Also what about supplementing with Berocca or the like, those vitamin tablets that dissolve in water. I don't know if they do that much but it might be worth a try.

Head up, keep yourself well while you're in this.

[yannah]

Hi, so sorry to hear you are going through such a hard time.

just suck down something to eat sometimes. I know its not easy, been there.

infact - I can't think of alot of good advice. I have never really solved the not eating do to depresson thing. I usually drop alot of weight. only I just don't even care.

this is so hard and I feel for you. this really is tough.

I think you should listen to the rock me thread all day.

take care, try to throw down some food. let me know if I can help.

[DeusXM]

You're probably right, rajaswari03, but right now it's dietary advice I need, not lifestyle. What I'm dealing with right now isn't exactly something I can detach from or just switch off about.

[ligawab]

My thoughts and prayers are with you.


ligawab (life is good and we are blessed)

[foxl]

I do not know if you drink alcohol, but I have found ONE glass of wine can help my appetite, when I am depressed.

If you can handle ONE glass ... I have a family history of alcoholism and treat it very cautiously.

Other than that, thinking of you. Situations can be SO hard, I know you did not need this on top of T1D.

[Barberian]

I tend to eat more when I'm depressed. Snacks mostly instead of meals. Stress on the other hand... When I need food, any type of food and can't or won't eat, I use the diet shakes, like weight watchers or something like that. Quick to go down, usually stays down. Can take a chug, and wait, or down most and wait then finish. Sorry for the lame advice, it's just something that works for me.

[andypoo]

Deus, I'm sorry you are not eating ,but ,when me or anyone in my family,since we were born,and couldn't digest any food,we would get a box of Gerber Rice baby food cereal,put a little sugar in ,with milk,get it at a consistancy that you like,I like it pretty milky. I know it sounds gross,but it is not,really,it actually has a good taste,I actually love the stuff. I don't know if you can buy this product where you're at,but at least try it if you can. It will at least get your digestive system back on track where you can gradually begin eating other things. I,just recently went through this depression,with my mother passing away and couldn't eat right and this is what I did and it helped IMMENSELY. I hope you get better,please let us know how you are doing.

[sumi]

Deus, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. Although I suffer from despair sometimes (usually for no reason), it has never affected my appetite. When feeling ill, I find bland foods are the only thing that appeals. I used to have a milkshake with banana in it, maybe with some protein powder; rice pudding, chicken soup, or a tunafish sandwich (some sort of childhood comfort food, i guess). Because I live in such a beautiful little town just looking out my window or stepping outside helps to raise my spirits. I wish I could send you a picture of the gentle rain falling on the muted shades of green that I am looking at right now.

[henry2002]

When I am sick or don't feel like eating I use Glucerna either bars or the liquid. It is a meal replacement made for diabetics.

[andypoo]

[QUOTE=sumi;470400]Deus, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. Although I suffer from despair sometimes (usually for no reason), it has never affected my appetite. When feeling ill, I find bland foods are the only thing that appeals. I used to have a milkshake with banana in it, maybe with some protein powder; rice pudding, chicken soup, or a tunafish sandwich (some sort of childhood comfort food, i guess). Because I live in such a beautiful little town just looking out my window or stepping outside helps to raise my spirits. I wish I could send you a picture of the gentle rain falling on the muted shades of green that I am looking at right now.[/QUOTE



I wish you COULD send a pic of where you are,because where you are at is exactly where I want to be! That is the one place I would love to visit. I'm sure it's very healing.

[valc3]

Deus, sorry things are so rough for you right now. Remember, if you need a shoulder, you have friends here. If you don't want to share, that's okay, everyone is pulling for you.

On to the food situation. I would try the liquid supplement drinks. Pudding and cottage cheese are also easy to swallow, very little chewing involved. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Harold]

Depression sucks and keeps sucking you in. I feel for you. Would offer advice, but one thing I've learned it never seems like the same thing will bring me out it. Always something hits me on the blind side and I am out of it like someone threw a switch. Like you loss of appetite is one of the signs of it for me. Hope you get over it soon!

[DeusXM]

Cheers for all your help guys.

[mzteacher]

hi deus,
i hope you are feeling better soon....kozy shack makes some really tasty prepared puddings in in the refrigerator section....they have quality ingrediants and are sweetened with splenda...
wishing you inner peace at this time....be kind to yourself....
susan