Eating problem.

[Jaileth]

Please don't judge me for this. I know it's a problem and its something I've struggled with since I was 16. Sometimes, I don't feel like eating. This would be fine if it was an occasional meal or two, but when this starts, it lasts for weeks or months on end. I have to try and force every bite down, and my gag reflex kicks in making it almost impossible.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have suggestions about ways to overcome it? I'm finding it harder and harder at the moment, because although Corin is sleeping at night, he wants to be with me almost all the time through the day. The last few days, breakfast hasn't been until almost 11 when I've been up since 3am.

Please help. I need to eat so I can feed my baby, and yet I dont know how. :crying:

[SweetSerenity]

Aww Shaelia you poor thing:hugs:

It must be so hard for you. Unfortunately i dont have any advice other than to see a gp maybe??

I hope it gets sorted out soon for you and lil corin!

Big HUGS again :hugs:

Love Nat xxx

[Jaileth]

Thanks Nat. :)

The GP has said that I'm just going to have to force myself to eat and thats that. :( Not very helpful, unfortunatly.

[Rell]

Sorry I don't have any advice either. I just wanted to wish you all the best at overcoming your eating problems. I don't think your GP is very helpfull at all:thumbsdown: maybe you could talk to your CHN and she might be able to put you in touch with people who can help you.
Good luck:hugs:

[Jaileth]

Thanks Rell, will try that :)

[DjF]

Have you tried instead of eating (if it makes you gag), try liquid? Up and Go, some milkshakes, milo (this is good energy and low gi too) fresh squeezed juices (fruit and veg juice)?

See (unless you already have!) if this works - dont try to have big gulps - just little sips frequently.

Hope this helps
D

[DjF]

I forgot to say cup-a-soups too!
D

[Pixie]

Shaelia :( I know it's very, very hard. I suffered from anorexia for 7 years until I managed to get away from my reasons for not eating it took a long time as in years! Not saying it will take that long for you. Try really, really small meals like sesame snaps just have one etc, until you can get use to eating again and not gag then maybe try a slice of apple. It's evry easy for the DR to say that, I was left wanting to recover and not knowing why I couldn't eat without gagging. Mash potato is another thing you could try.

Good luck and if you want to talk further you can PM me :) it must be very hard especially with the baby. :hugs:

[Cade's Mum]

Hi Shaelia,

I know this is really hard for you - good on you for talking about it rather than doing nothing. My mum has this same issue and depending on what is going on in her life at the time it worsens or lessens.

What worked for her is very tiny meals eaten off a bread and butter plate ie - one dessert spoon of mashed potato & one dessert spoon of bolognaise meat - you get the idea.

Or you can try the small tins/jars of baby desserts as well. The flavours are not too strong and you can have small mouthfuls.

I wish you all the best in finding a solution that works best for you.

Cheers Natalie:D

[Biene]

Hi Shaelia,

Sorry to hear of your problem, have you tried the Up 'n' Go drinks? I buy the chocolate flavour and keep it in the fridge, I like to have mine early in the morning when I can't face eating brekkie. Maybe you could try the coffee flavour that way it would be more like an iced coffee rather than brekkie.

[Jaileth]

Thank you all for your support. I was really nervous about starting this thread, but you've all given me some great ideas.

[Jessi8181]

I am not sure whether you are experiencing an eating disorder or whether you are just seriously not hungry.. but I know from personal experience that if it is an eating disorder you need to get specific help for that. Counselling from some qualified in treating eating disorders would be very beneficial!! I'm almost 25weeks pregnant and fell pregnant 5 days after coming out of intensive eating disorder treatment in an ipatient hospital for anorexia/bulimia...

Take very good care of yourself!!! :fingerscrossed:

[Lucybelle]

Shaelia - I am exactly the same and it's been going on for years, although sometimes I really crave and can eat a big meal like a trooper.

My apetite seem not to exist, or it is really easy to be put off being hungry - the slightest stress and thats it.
Sometimes I am just too tired to cook.
Alot of the time I just don't like the consistency or the feel of it in my mouth. I hate vegetables - they are so watery!

This is what I suggest.

Eat something at the same time each day - even if it is tiny, or like the others suggested a shake or sustagen. Try to get your body readyfor it.

Carry little snacks around with you so you can take advantage if you DO get the munchies.

Do you think if you had a (wishful thinking here!!!) personal chef who would cook you 3 lovely meals for you every day that you might eat?
I can honestly answer yes to that about 50% of the time, so part of me thinks its also the whole thinking, acting, preparation time involved in cooking a meal. Most of the time I am so tired that the thought of having to cook makes me want to cry!

Maybe try growing some tomotoes and herbs in little pots - sometimes growing your own luscious produce can make you hungry, and you can see the whole food issue thing from another perspective.

Just what works for me sometimes.......

The very best of luck to you as well Jessi!

[Odessa]

Best of luck Shaelia and the other ladies with overcoming your eating issues. I've heard that high energy protein shakes can do wonders, blended up with some ice and a bit of fruit, like banana or strawberry. Keep us posted with your progress, we're here to support you all! :thumbsup:

[Jaileth]

I'm not really sure wheather it's an eating disorder as such. I think it's related to stress or disturbance in my life. :confused: I don't konw if its more than that.

THe thing that gets me is that I do 90% of the cooking in our house, and (not trying to brag here) I make up some pretty good meals - its just that when it comes to eating them, I'm not interested. I love cooking, and most of the time, I'm fine. But occasionally - like whats happening at the moment - I just don't feel like eating anything.

I like the idea about herbs etc in pots - the only problem is, plants die on me. I always forget to water them! :o

Thankyou all for more tips and ideas - will try and give the herbs another go and see what happens. Any ideas for healthy type snacks that are easy to go ready so I can carry them around?

[Blessed Mum]

Hi Shaelia I'm sorry I don't have any real advice or experience to offer but just wanted to say I feel for you & I'm thinking of you. I hope everything settles down soon for you & for Corin.

:hugs: Tara

[reAllytee]

Shaelia :hugs:
I dont have proper advice so to speak as im no expert or the likes but i often skip my meals just because well im not hungry or i couldnt be bothered. Since bubs birth its been worse & ive solely existed on snack type foods some bad some good as the other have suggested try some Up & Go they are yummy & sorta like a milkshake with weetbix !!! Otherwise i was naughty & had snack sized Snickers bars for when i stopped bf as it was so much easier to grab these on the go especially when i had a baby who wouldnt let me put him down so maybe something similiar to this not necessarily chocolate will at least give you some energy. I also keep a range of dried fruits in my pantry & often snack away at these which are much better than the Snickers LOL. Another option is bananas as they are slow release energy bars all natural style LOL these are another thing i keep on hand. Same with Vita-Wheats that im happy to have plain or with butter otherwise i sometimes i have Philadelphia Cream Cheese on hand too.
Give anything a go basically i would say as the main thing is you find something that you like & will eat this is at least a start. Even if its a smoothie or veggie drink for every meal just fill with lots of goodies & it will do wonders !
My thoughts are with you & i hope things settle down for you soon :hugs:

Oh & btw its often very common for the cook to not eat the meal this is because you spend the whole time smelling it all while cooking etc so gives you the sense of being full so to speak so maybe see if your man can take over once or twice a week to give you a break even if its just a simple meal this way not only do you get a break but it may encourage you to eat. :D :fingerscrossed:

[Mother Duck]

Dear Bec

ME TOO!!!!!!

All the more reason for us to meet up!

At the moment (being pregnant) I am finding it easier to keep on top of than I do when I am not pg - if you know what I mean

After I had M I was really bad with it.

Such a complex issue. I personally find it interesting that when there is a baby in my belly I am really quite 'good' at taking care of myself but when its just me I don't seem to care (iykwim)

I make sure that I have a glass of milk every morning with the sustagen protein drink in it - you can get it from the chemist, I use vanilla - it doesn't taste too bad and I think it really helps

Still really important to get on top of this as you say bubba needs a healthy mum!

Your half way home just by posting this thread!

Other stuff that has helped me - find a friend who can be really supportive in a non-invasive way if poss and let them know as soon as you are struggling. Figure out what meals you enjoy be they big or small and freeze a heap that you can just pull out

and

most importantly - see if you can work on the reasons why you are feeling this way. It can be really hard but see if you can find the cause.

Good luck my love - now I look forward to meeting you even more! :)

[danik]

Hi there

Are you feeling anxious at the moment?

I am one of those people that when stressed I found my appetite disappeared and I needed to force myself to eat (although this has quickly disappeared since being pregnant!!!). You know how some people eat their way through stress? I was the opposite.

[Jaileth]

danik - me too. when this first happened to me (around 16) I was diagianosed (sp?) with a stress rash at the same time! :eek: Only problem is, bub is getting better and stressing me out less.

I have a couple of ideas as to what the cause could be, but I'm not really sure about how to fix it. I am glad (in a way) to see that I'm not alone in this. I think that anything shared makes it that bit easier for everyone - hopefully.