Help with ideas for multiple small meals a day please - Vit D deficient with B12 and also hyperthyroid

[PanicAttax]

Hoping to get some advice and ideas here because I'm struggling with meals at the moment. I currently can eat small and often but then feel hugely ill and have to stop. I'm loosing a lot of muscle and have ended up sticking to biscuits as an easy thing to boost energy - but I know it's not got any proper nutrition!

I managed to eat a pack of M&S tomato and mozzarella picnic pastries over the whole day, which is a big win. It's really things that sort of size I can do slowly over the day without being ill - not a whole sausage in one go if you know what I mean - sandwiches tend to curl at the edges by the time I am near halfway. Also olives are too strong and I can't seem to swallow anything that is strong or rich. Red meat is very heavy and causes a lot of pain if it's the main part of the meal. Think I am meant to be avoiding egg yolks and iodene - so no kale or seaweed. I haven't really had a proper chat with anyone about does/don'ts but what is on the list for B12 seems to be what not to eat for hyperthyroidism...

I can't stand for too long so anything quick but nutrient rich that maybe I can batch cook into small portions? Or some things I can buy in and just eat from the fridge?

Thank you!

Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

Not yet. I have asked but they seem to have forgotten...next bloods (with in depth iron and Graves and thyroid function tests they also didn't do) is not for just over another week.

I’d definitely chase that. Food making you feel ill, low iron and low vit d are all red flags for it.

Yes, I think so too - they've put me in for a CT before taking that test, weirdly. I have already had one cancelled because of the thyroid too!
To be fair it happens with meat as well as bread and it seems to be strong tastes I can't stomach after a couple of mouthfuls. I wasn't sure if it was the B12 deficiency but had another injection today and still can't eat certain things.

I need a wonder food which I can have a little bit of that does it all. So far all I can think of is bananas...bit boring after a while!

Could you have avocado on some toast or crackers?

Oh yes, avocado would be good - I could have half in one go with something. I usually put basalmic on it (that's a hard no at the moment!) but just salt would work. I've got Ryvita with sesame seeds so that would work well!

I'm not great with 3 meals per day (except dinner!) so sometimes eat from the following during the day

Greek yoghurt and fruit
Handful of nuts
Dried apricots
Houmous and carrot sticks
Small bowl of soup or broth
Small tin of baked beans on toast
Ready cooked chicken wings/thighs with cherry tomatoes, cucumber etc
Cheese slices
Fishfinger sandwich/wrap

Can you just make a meal: eat however much you like and then just come back and eat more later? That’s what I do now in my pregnancy as can’t eat much.

I have Graves' Disease, so I empathise OP. To be honest, until I was medicated I just ate whatever was easiest. The disease means you lose muscle, so until its treated I don't think there's anything you can do. Horrible condition 🙁

Well my bum has gone (along with the cellulite which was a shock!) and I feel incredibly weak, so that fits although no diagnosis yet.

Thanks for the replies.

I found a bag of chocolate peanuts which I've been eating steadily through today and had half an avocado on ryvita alongside several cups of tea. No pain!

I like oatcakes or ryvita with peanut butter and banana or apple slices.
Mini scotch eggs or mini pork pies are nice and a quick burst of energy but not really that healthy.

I might get some oatcakes in actually, for a different texture, thanks.

I think the pork pies might be a bit meaty - gagged on my Spatone this morning and was wondering if its iron from the meat is too rich for my tummy or something - who knows!

Scales say I'm packing on water and protein but loosing fat and muscle at a faster rate.

ham wrapped round cheese - M&S do them
kiwi fruit - lots of fibre
half a bagel with a little mackerel or salmon

I have a kiwi all ready and waiting!

I did look at the skewered ham cheese and cornichon when I was ordering the mozzarella and tomato pastry things yesterday but I am a bit scared of the processed meat tbh! Love smoked salmon though.

Milkshakes, ice cream, fruit with cream or full fat yoghurt - think of anything higher in fat and calories that can be consumed in small volumes, sipped and swallowed easily.

Can you have Ensure build up milkshakes? You can buy them on Amazon these days. They are designed for people who need to put on weight it increase calorific intake.

Tinned soups and add a spoonful of cream to the tin. Cheese - babybel, or similar edam type cheese cut into small chunks. Chop up your sausages as well.

Good idea about the ice cream - how did I not consider a tub of Ben and Jerry's in June? I'm looking at the St Agur blue cheese at the moment too - I have these cravings and sudden hunger but when I start eating it can change quite suddenly, so I have to imagine myself eating it with the smells/taste/textures and see if I think I'd manage it. Not sure I can do yoghurt as I had a teaspoon of the Fage passionfruit and mango one last week and had to stand by the sink for quite a while - had not expected that to be a no!

Yes to the cheese though. I may get one of those selection nets...

Have you been advised to not eat eggs, OP (I think you mentioned eggs in your first post)? My endocrinologist said I could eat what I like. Recommended I take vitamin D and K2 (I used the Better You spray) and a good vitamin B complex.

I feel for you, I have no idea how I managed to commute and work feeling like death. And the racing heart and palpitations!