Would this be a reasonable amount of food for you in a day?

[boilthekettle]

My mum is dying and I am so stressed out, as a result some days I'm really struggling to eat. I've just decided to eat whatever tempts me for now and not worry about quality and honestly I just seem to basically want stuff like crisps and toast. Being lacking in decent nutrition won't be helping with anything though.

Some days I can't face much at all from tension and nausea but in terms of amounts would the following do you?

Breakfast - 4 good big spoons of greek yogurt, two handfuls of blueberries and a banana

Lunch - slice of toast and piece of cheese

Dinner - 4 linda mccartney chicken nugget things, half a 'for 2' side of garlic chips (supposed to have a container of microwave greens but it smelled gone off so we didnt want to risk it) and two heaped spoons of Haagen Dasz ice cream.

Snacks - a packet of crisps waiting for dinner to cook, and half a pack of Munchies sweets/ chocolate in afternoon with cup of tea.

Bizarrely, my ability to drink plenty of water is also impaired, I normally drink loads but it's making me feel sick. Which I assume is also stress?

Strange argument

I saw the comment that the OP wasnt struggling to eat as 'dont worry, you're eating ok'

I also think that people really underestimate calories.

If OP is talking about full fat greek yoghurt (the only type worth eating), then 4 good spoons is on its way to 200 calories. Add on the banana which is about 80, dont know about the berries

People also dont acknowlege how big piece of cheese are. A very tiny piece of cheese, like a touch smaller than a matchbox size is around 30g, thats 110 calories. A decent size is 50g.

OP, just eat when and what you want,, you have bigger things on your mind

Can I just suggest people read the “context” of the OP’s post.
OP is going through a traumatic time right now, so please refrain from some of the bitchy, passive aggressive comments, take your vileness someplace else.

OP the last thing you need to worry about is your eating. You eat anything you damn well feel like. There have been two really good suggestions and the poster who said about drinking tea I second it! I’ve been where you are OP, and at times when I wanted to put my head through the wall when that wave of grief hits, make a cup of tea. I can’t explain it but just making it gave me a few minutes of calm in the darkest times. Also please try and take a multi vitamin with B12.

Thinking of you,

Eat what you can, when you can.

I did ten days on Red Bull and coffee in broadly similar circumstances - but I now think that getting bottles of ready to drink Slimfast/protein shakes would have possibly been a better solution for me, as that would have meant some calories and a vague bit of nutrition rather than just pure caffeine and some sugar.

It's a tough time, OP - do whatever you need to get you through and don't worry about whether it's enough/healthy/too much.

It sounds unhealthy but not abnormal. Eating sweets and dinner with ice cream isn't really struggling to eat though.

I'm so sorry about your mum. Be kind to yourself.

I think this amount of food is fine, people go days without eating when stressed/grieving so I wouldn't worry. It's normal.

I don't think it'll affect you much. All the best

A bit blunter than I'd have put it but it's fine OP, you're eating,just try and drink a little more. 💐

Eating sweets and dinner with ice cream isn't really struggling to eat though.

Why would you post this? What for?

Obviously your diet isn’t the healthiest at the moment, but it’s not the worst and you are going through a terrible time, so if those foods are all that you can stomach at the moment that’s totally fine. So sorry about your mum. X

Thank you yes, I am taking vitamins.

The example of a day's food is what I'm eating now as opposed to the first week/ ten days where I did lose weight. I really don't want to lose any more, but it doesnt really matter I suppose.

It's really hard to explain as I feel less well nourished but can't face things I normally eat. We normally eat veggie chillis, dhal, soups and casseroles etc etc but anything like that is provoking a 'disgust' sort of reaction?

Eating sweets and dinner with ice cream isn't really struggling to eat though.

Actually for me it is. The stress is changing my appetite to not wanting proper food, I normally eat large quantities of decent food.

It's interesting that another poster pointed out that carbs can have a soothing effect, that must have something to do with why they are the easiest thing to eat and why half a pack of Munchies can stop that grating nausea.

It's not unreasonable if you're stressed to lose interest in food, and when you do, you're more likely to go for food that you can pick at (fruit, toast) and convenience food that is hyper palatable (fake chicken nuggets)

Be kind to yourself, you're going through a lot. As long as you're eating something it's fine, your weight might fluctuate in the short term but in the long run you'll gain it back when you start to eat 'normally' again.

It isn’t enough food obviously but whilst you’re going through a stressful and horrible time, it really doesn’t matter… The important thing is that you’re actually eating something and this diet (and horrible, horrible feeling you have) won’t last forever. So sorry to hear about your Mum . Try to go easy on yourself.

There's room for improvement but it's not terrible. Sometimes if you're stressed it's usefully to have some simple tasks to keep your mind and body busy. Could you pre prepare some lunch boxes that contain a mix of nuts, pieces of cheese, hardboiled egg, cherry tomatoes, cous cous, a few crisps/crackers.....a sort of selection box. When I don't want to eat I find the prep the most challenging because it seems like hard work and the stress of knowingbi must eat imparts my thinking. Separating the prep from the eating might make it easier, plus you can split things, so half a boiled egg, a few spoonfuls of cous cous, half pack of crisps/wotsits. Then in the evening if you know you've had a healthy lunch you can relax a little and enjoy your ice-cream.
Above all tell yourself that life won't always be this way....but if you feel its overwhelming, speak up.

Sorry to hear about your mum ❤️

Your meals aren't substantial enough and you're making up for that with unhealthy treats, but given the circumstances that's completely understandable. Try not to be hard on yourself.

Have you considered having a protein shake each day? I've lost a lot of weight recently (won't go into detail) and have been trying to increase my calorie intake by having a protein shake each morning made with milk, peanut butter and oats.

Thats a great breakfast OP, and the rest seems adequate given the circumstances. You don't say how old you are, your height and activity levels, so can't comment on whether you're getting enough calories to avoid unintentional weight loss, but there's calculators that will give you an idea of that and if you're takung in a shortfall you could maybe try to drink some extras (milk, meal replacement drinks)
You'll also get an idea based on whether you feel dizzy or lethargic (which I know is hard to separate from how awful you must feel anyway)
My thoughts are with you. Its a horrible time and I wish you strength.

Give yourself a break OP and eat whatever you fancy. My mum was in and out of hospital a lot before she died and I lived on m&s sandwiches and Sauvignon blanc! Be kind to yourself x

Don't worry about food. Eat whatever you can stomach. If you're worried about nutrition, you can always take multivitamin tablets. Sending you and your mum hugs XX

I want through similar during the last several months of my mum's life - a combination of ongoing but unpredicrable decline due to vascular dementia and acute health crises/falls. So often called at short notice and spent a lot of time with her in hospital, including overnights due to her confusion and reluctance to cooperate with anyone unfamiliar. I relied on plain yoghurt, fruit and baby bel cheese that I could quickly grab on my way out. I also kept a pack of dried fruit and nut mix and cereal bars/flapjack in my gobag. Later I bought a small food flask so could take soup etc.

In that case just eat what you can stomach. Don't be afraid to call in favours from people around you for food prep.

Now is not the time to beat yourself with another stick. Sending best wishes