What do I eat when I’m dying?

[Okitsme]

I’ve just been given weeks to live.
I’ve found it very hard to eat for the last couple of weeks and am forcing myself to eat a certain number of mouthfuls while in hospital.
If you have looked after anyone in this situation what things did they like?
I loved food and cooking

I’m so sorry

I made my aunt very tiny versions of things she used to like, and I think she liked the effort and thought but not the actual eating. My dad couldn’t eat for months before he died. It’s another letting go; I hope you are able to enjoy some other things (soft fabric; music; voices and smiles of those you love). Hope you aren’t in pain. X

Your body will only let you eat what it can handle, don’t push yourself. Eat anything you fancy. If you are looking to get extra calories add powdered milk to anything milky, if you’re eating salad then plenty of dressing, if it’s soup or a pudding then double cream.

i hope you have support.
as the body's needs change generally the appetite does as well. the bowels slow down, the kidneys slow down and the energy it takes to eat and more importantly digest slows down more time is spent being tired as everything becomes more difficult.
while you are well enough to be hungry eat what pleases you, but i would caution against overeating or eating for the sake of eating as your digestive system might not be up to that.
has a palliative care nurse spoken to you about what you can expect and what others in your situation have chosen to do?

I’m so so sorry.

Do you have anyone close helping you? Can they cook some of your favourite things? Hospital food isn’t very nice, so if they can bring you something in, you might eat a little more.
Before I lost my beautiful Mum, I made all of her favourite things but she found it hard to eat even a few mouthfuls.
She did enjoy fresh, soft fruit: cold juicy pineapple and strawberries.
Also, homemade soups.
A bit of chocolate.
Take care.

Well my Gran couldn’t eat anything but also got very upset when others mentioned food at all. My mum casually said ‘might get a takeaway on the way home’ and it made my poor Gran cry, she wanted to enjoy food again but knew she never would. It’s very sad, I’m sorry. If you feel that way then please ask your family members to be sensitive.

Smells not related to food seemed to be of some comfort my gran. Lavender, fresh linen, rosewater. A newspaper. Things that triggered memories I suppose.

I'm so very sorry.

What is making it hard for you to eat? Is it appetite, taste changes, pain or discomfort swallowing, stomach pains?

Is there anything that appeals? My dad at the end of his life was only interested in ice cream. Sometimes it's helpful to try different textures, flavours and temperatures of food to see what it most manageable.

I’m so sorry, my instant reaction is to say eat what you want when you want. Don’t over face yourself a slice of toast, some strawberries or other fruit, soup. I’m really into tabbouleh (made with couscous and pomegranate with fresh mint) at the moment. Maybe some salmon new potatoes.

I'm so sorry.

My df ate ice cream and various juices.

I would bring my father avocado and smoked salmon with a squeeze of lemon. All highly nutritious and not too filling and super tasty. I also read him Elizabeth Kubler-Ross On Death and Dying, it was very comforting and helped us connect more deeply before we said goodbye.
i hope you find some comfort in the coming weeks, and I wish you well on your onward journey.

All my dad wanted was mini cheeses and tinned peach slices.

Strange really because he was never that big on either of those things.

In the last few weeks of my mums life she ate very little ,she did enjoy a strawberry yoghurt I fed her
I'm sorry this is happening.

Whatever you feel like, if you feel like it.

If you want to try to eat, then anything which will give you as much in the way of calories and nutrients as possible. If you don't want to eat then don't do it. In the end its not going to make a lot of difference, just do what feels right for you. If you can drink, then keep doing that.

I'm sorry Okitsme.

I'd go with whatever you fancy, when you fancy it.

I hope you have some support to navigate this.

My friend just ate oysters

Beyond the obvious ‘whatever you like’.

I’d add ‘go wild with the stuff that suits small
portions’.

Fancied caviar? That’s a great tiny portion food.

Same for oysters.

Hot smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with cream always feels like the ultimate treat and it’s nutritionally pretty knock out.

French cheese?

Beyond the obvious ‘whatever you like’.

I’d add ‘go wild with the stuff that suits small
portions’.

Fancied caviar? That’s a great tiny portion food.

Same for oysters.

Hot smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with cream always feels like the ultimate treat and it’s nutritionally pretty knock out.

French cheese?

I have op, I'm so so sorry. My mum was unable to swallow much. She had the ensure drinks and thought they were disgusting. Are you hungry/thirsty? If you aren't, you only need to eat what you fancy if your not hungry or wanting anything that's okay.

My mum had ice cream, mashed potato with gravy, I made every kind of homemade soup you could think of and blended it. I'd made her a smoothie with a scoop of protein. She got me to get sweet and sour sauce and dipped prawn crackers in it as they just melted.

My mil ended up just having red cola and didn't want anything else.

Is there anything you do fancy?

I highly doubt the OP fancies oysters and caviar.

Ice cream and jelly my dad liked. He liked fruit cake too. Sorry you're facing this op.

My dad liked satsumas, jelly and ice cream. So sorry OP 💛

Do you have a usual treat food? Can you face that?

Hope you find something that works for you

Im so sorry this is happening to you Just eat what you fancy when you fancy it iv known people eat nothing and iv known people who eat only ice cream or custard. Don't force yourself to eat if you don't want to just follow what your body is telling you xxx

I am so sorry. Do you have emotional support?
I remember my mum enjoying cheese and crackers,and surprisingly a chocolate brownie (she had always said she hated sweet things).
My Nanna ate strawberries and chocolate ice lollies.
Both in small amounts.
I would say, eat whatever you fancy but don't force yourself.
Sending love.

My dad chose custard, rice pudding and milk shakes in his final weeks... i hope you manage to find something you can enjoy, even if it's only a few spoonfuls.