Meal replacement drinks for illness

[beccajoh]

Can anyone suggest anything? I've had three lots of surgery under GA for cancer in the last six weeks, and I've pretty much been on bed rest ever since. I've got absolutely no appetite and when I do eat it's not more than a few mouthfuls. I've lost 9lbs since the first lot of surgery and I'm certain I'm not getting all the nutrients I need. I'm not anywhere near underweight at the moment (9st 3 and 5'3 tall) but if the weight loss carries on I could start getting that way I'm likely to be fairly bed bound for a few more weeks yet.

Your gp can prescribe things like ensure

Hi, when I used to work at Boots (years ago) we sold something called. Complan which was used often by people who were off their food for various reasons. You can still get it. Think most big supermarkets stock it. The web site is complain.com if you want to look it up.

Complan.com not complain

I'm surprised you haven't seen a dietician as they can provide supplement drinks.

Def ask your GP to prescribe some Ensure - they do high energy yogurty things as well as the drinks.

Lots of very small meals is the way to go generally, and never pass up the opportunity for some extra calories. So if you drink coffee, get whoever makes it for you to make it a latte with full fat milk and have a biscuit with it. For breakfast, porridge made with full fat, a dollop of cream on top and a drizzle of golden syrup. A couple of oatcakes and a stick of cheese at elevenses. Macaroni cheese with a full fat milk sauce, soup with cream in, all that sort of thing.

You could also get your helper to make up smoothie bags to keep in the freezer to make preparing them really quick and easy - a few scoops of clotted cream icecream, some fruit (peaches, strawberries, raspberries or whatever you like but the fruits of the forest frozen stuff is v easy) or cut up bananas and some cocoa powder, plus some protein powder. They can then be whizzed in the blender with full fat milk (even some squirty cream on top ) to make a really easy to drink, high calorie and nutrient snack

Ask your GP for a dietician referral as they will bring you samples and you can try what you like. We GPs never taste the stuff so no point in prescribing loads. I'd give you a couple of starter packs while you were waiting though.

Fortisip ,ensure and stuff aren't very nice . I struggled to get through them when in similar position . I found the Forest Fruits Fortijuice with lots of ice the best .

I've read on forums that the slimfast drinks are tastier and contain lots of nutrients .I know it sounds counterintuitive to have dieting food ,but you should try to have them as a supplement ,not instead of food .

But Dibbler's advice is best - real food . Those frozen sachets of fish ,mashed potato ,cauliflower cheese ,scrambled egg ,smoked salmon ,M&S tins of chicken soup . Anything you fancy ....