Can I ask a monumentally stupid question about breakfast?

[IWantToGoDancing]

I've never eaten breakfast. My mum gave up about 14 and since then I've not eaten until about midday.

Anyway, I'm trying to change my habits because I'm a bit underweight.

I just can't fathom the logistics of actually making something to eat and cleaning it all up.

I get up at 6.30 and leave at 7.30. How long does it all take you? What do you have?

Ideally something low in calories because I couldn't be doing with toast.

I have no idea whether you are in the same place, but if you are, I can see why you might baulk at bread, oats, etc. Yoghurt is my compromise. It's not crappy food, and has calcium in it but it's not going to worry me.

At the moment, we are all on our own. Given that Covid is all that matters (is it bollocks), everything else will be ignored. But if you can just eat a bit of the things that won't make you too anxious, that would be a start.

Yep that's my feeling. Definitely not young- thank you to whoever dished out that compliment

When I was working to increase my appetite, I got Meritene shake powder from the chemist. It's basically a vitamin powder with flavourings. Nutrient deficiencies can make low appetite issues worse and it just mix with milk.

Yoghurt is also a good quick ones, as are microwave meals others recommended. I moved from the shakes onto microwave eggs and/or oatmeal. I found a cup of frozen veg + a couple eggs + plenty of salsa and seasoning to taste became a good breakfast for me.

I actually do very well with dinner. Lunch could be improved but I have to eat around people, so if I start with breakfast it's the best option.

If yoghurt is sounding good and you want to put on a little weight then -
Add Things like honey, Coconut cream, nuts/granola, berries/mango/banana etc.

@MiniMum97 That is not relevant for someone trying to recover from disordered eating habits.Meals should be regular and frequent.

I think I more or less get what you're saying. It's all a compromise.

If I know, for example, that I'm going to go to something work-related at 11 AM, that will invariably involve food. And so that food (a biscuit, normally, for the sake of politeness) will take the place of breakfast.

When the DC were young, and I was a SAHM, it was much easier. We all had Shredded Wheat. I had one, and tipped the milk away. XH and the children did whatever they did. I would then have a bit of soup for lunch and a small portion of whatever I made for dinner.

For me, it's a balancing act. I need to eat enough to stay alive and functional (which means it can't just be Dorito's, much as I love them). I also need not to let my teenagers (some are older now) think that there's anything wrong with eating whatever you like. If I thought I were going above my 'happy' weight, I'd do something about it.

I am ok with this balance. You need to find yours, OP.

Smoothies are good. Yoghurt, fruit, tsp of soya protein.

Yeah, I'm finding a new balance. I feel very calm about it, actually. I have a new weight I'm comfortable with.

@gospelsinger

What's overnight oats? I'm intrigued

Mix some oats into yoghurt and leave it in the fridge overnight.

That's what matters, OP. You need to find whatever weight you're comfortable with (I know, after 20 years on MN, that my optimum weight would be derided, but it's a bit more than I would like, but enough to sustain me), then find ways to achieve it.

It may not be everyone's way to live, but for anyone who has had disturbed eating patterns, it's very much better than the alternatives.

Coffee with double cream instead of milk is a good way of getting extra calories if you don't really want a meal in the morning.

I like yoghurt with granola and fruit.

How about unsweetened muesli? I make my own - oats, nuts, sunflower seeds and raisins with a sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon. I make up a big box of it and just have a scoop each morning with semu skimmed milk.

Semi

Scrambled eggs in the microwave less than 2 mins and you can take them in the tub you made them in..

If you're looking for small, quick and simple I would have a piece of fruit.

If you want something that's more like proper food then I agree with everyone saying overnight oats. So simple in the mornings and you can make it however you like it- I used to put nutella and toasted flaked nuts in mine

@DParse

That's what matters, OP. You need to find whatever weight you're comfortable with (I know, after 20 years on MN, that my optimum weight would be derided, but it's a bit more than I would like, but enough to sustain me), then find ways to achieve it.

It may not be everyone's way to live, but for anyone who has had disturbed eating patterns, it's very much better than the alternatives.

That's well-intentioned, but could be dangerous for someone like the OP with a tendency towards restriction and underweight (as is a lot of the well intentioned advice on this thread).

Ultimately, the goal is to find a healthy relationship with food and with your body. The weight itself should ultimately be meaningless, it's an outcome and not a goal, whether high or low, but until the underlying issue is dealt with, any focus on it will only trigger more disordered behaviours.

Are you vegetarian? sorry if I missed it - because if not you have more options which are low carb if carbs are difficult to eat first thing.

Also you don't have to think in terms of British Breakfast -all kinds of things are eaten for breakfast - rye crispbread (eg Ryvita) with butter or cheese, miso soup, soy milk heated with soy sauce and spring onions, lentil soup... you could also hard boil an egg and eat it when you get to work, or have a cold cooked sausage - or nuts. I used to like yoghurt put into a glass pot with a lid, with some honey and some walnuts- very portable.

Or a few olives and mixed nuts? What sort of food do you feel comfortable eating at other times of the day? Maybe just a small portion of that in the morning.

@OverTheRubicon I think you're right, as it happens. However, I also know there are an awful lot of people around who will probably never have a straightforward relationship with food/weight. I am one of those people. However, I have reached an uneasy compromise, which involves eating on the low side of what would be considered normal. That way, I get my control fix, but I am not a risk to myself - or, more importantly, to the DC.

I have no idea whether the OP would be the same, obviously, as I don't know her or her prior relationship with food. I do know, though, that it's bloody difficult to access support with an ED at any time, and would be all the more difficult now, thanks to Covid.

Scrambled eggs only takes a few minutes in the microwave. Just clean up when you get back.

Enjoy your yogurt OP, good choice.

I keep bags of Aldi frozen berries in the freezer and add a handful to Greek yogurt for breakfast. It’s good.

Good for you OP for looking to start new healthy habits. Yogurt is a good option and if you feel happy about it even better. As @ThirstyGhost said, think in terms of good fats. Full fat yogurt has these and will be lower in sugar than low fat yogurt, which has to have sugar or sweeteners chucked in to make it taste better. So try full fat Greek yogurt with berries or honey, or some of the decent quality full fat fruit yogurts.

I don't eat breakfast. I never feel hungry in the morning. Sometimes I don't have lunch.

My dd is recovering from an ED and needs to gain weight.

Breakfast is porridge with full fat milk and double cream and a smoothie.

To gain weight you need to be eating 2500-3000 calories a day.

Your thinking op sounds very my dds, she's slowly getting better but I have to make all her food choices for her.

Some of the advice on here is the reason so many people end up with ED imo 😕