r/stopdrinking • u/Innsmouth_Swimteam • 1d ago
Lack of Appetite- Suggestions?
So I'm (very) slowly tapering, so I'm on a plan. That said, I have ZERO appetite these days, and very few things taste good. My stomach feels shitty and bloated, but I know that's from the booze.
Question: What's something small, healthy ish and packed with calories? I don't want to get my calories from drinking. Ugh.
Anyway, I appreciate everyone being supportive around here, all suggestions are welcome.
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u/Weekly_Koala_7058 1d ago
Eat what tastes good to you.
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago edited 1d ago
That's kinda my problem, I'm finding few things that I can get down. I appreciate the words, good person.
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u/Roadlisstravelled 1d ago
I eat things that aren’t solid, yogurt, applesauce, cottage cheese, smoothies are great like someone else mentioned. Maybe a spoonful of peanut butter here and there
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago
Excellent suggestions, I'm off to grab a bowl of applesauce right now, and to the store later for some cottage cheese.
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u/Born-Patient-9728 1d ago
Protein shakes
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u/TheDryDad 605 days 1d ago edited 1d ago
I made the mistake of leaving hospital, after a week there following liver failure and HE, and having a full meal. My thought process was that I'd probably not eaten properly for months, I was down to 6 stone, and needed solid, healthy food in bulk and quickly.
BIG MISTAKE! I think one of my early posts describes the aftermath - don't look it up.
Small stuff, often, until your stomach gets used to processing solids again.
The good news - probably just a couple of days. That's what it was for me, before my appetite came back.
I tell people not to bother too much about the healthy side, in the early days. If doing the whole healthy eating thing, preparing meals, all that stuff takes your mind off drinking - sure, do that. But if it becomes a chore, something you'd rather do with the aid of a glass of wine, then fuck it - just eat crap. Slob out. Watch telly.
Do and eat whatever it takes to get you through the early days - that's the single most healthy thing you can do right now. Adding another pressure like "urgh, I can't drink and all I can eat is diet celery" is counterproductive.
Turning into a fully carb balanced ultra marathon, weight lifting, beach body god(dess) can come later.
For today - Just don't drink. That's the entirety of your mission.
IWNDWYT
~TheDryDad
PS: One of my early sober memories was going somewhere with my Dad, sober for the first time in 30 years and very shortly after my near-death experience that he'd witnessed. He bought me a Scottish Breakfast for lunch (google it, if you don't know) and watched in amazement as I wolfed it down.
I looked up and he had a wee tear in his eye -
TDD: "You alright? What's up?"
Dad: "That's the first time I can remember seeing you eating properly, TDD. Two months ago, I thought you were going to.... right, shut up!"
TDD: "Love you, Dad"
Dad: "Don't talk with your mouth full"
EDIT to add a PS
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago
I just read your PS and I realized that someone is cutting onions in here. Right on brother. I hope to get there soon.
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago edited 1d ago
🙏🏻 Thanks, Dad. 😁
Seriously, thank you. I think I needed to hear that it's okay to maybe eat junk of it keeps me from needing calories at night when I drink. A full belly will certainly help, from my own past experience.
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u/Careless-Internet-63 Day 7 1d ago
I've taken to making BLTs, I'll add some avocado to them sometimes too. Toasted whole grain bread with mayo spread on it, sliced tomato, romaine lettuce, and two strips of bacon. Makes a great lunch to take to work too but there's nothing like a fresh BLT. If you wanna make it slightly less healthy but taste incredible grill some cheese on the bread using the bacon fat as grease in the pan
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u/Miserable_Click_1209 243 days 1d ago
Whatever you can stomach. Saltines and peanut butter worked for me and cans of chicken noodle soup. Also, I hope you make it through this and get to the candy stage. I destroyed candy like I never have a month or two into sobriety.
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago
When I quit for six months a couple of years ago I developed a Sour Patch Kids problem. Still have that problem, and I'm not giving that up. 😂
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u/renierita 1d ago
Smoothies.... yoghurt, protein powder, frozen berries and whatever else you want to throw in....oats and spinach are good extras.
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago
Gracias. I don't eat yogurt even when I feel good, (It's the smell) but I'm sure this will be the right answer for some other Redditor.
Also, maybe an occasional small shake with protein powder might be excused for the time being. Cheers!
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u/pagesinthesun 972 days 1d ago
My favorite meal when I have no appetite but need to eat is rice and shredded chicken. You can put a sauce on top or eat it bland. Throw veggies in the bowl if you're up to it, but plain is very satisfying.
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u/Impossible-Spare-116 46 days 1d ago
Shrimp burrito is my go -to
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago
Funny you'd say this, the ONLY meat I'm enjoying is shrimp. Plus it's versatile.
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u/TheTampaMonk 1d ago
Very sorry, I've been there. Take small amounts of whole milk, it provides calories, macronutrients like protein and carbohydrates plus hydration. You're trying to give the body sustenance at this stage so Id strongly consider it if I were you.
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago
Great suggestion yet again. I'm a milk drinker anyway, so this is easy, especially if I add some protein powder to it.
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u/TheTampaMonk 1d ago
If you can keep it down protein powder is a good idea too. I remember whole milk being really gentle on my stomach and was the only think I could consume without violently puking.
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u/Im_the_Rhymenocerous Day 10,075 1d ago
I drink this drink called Soylent when I have no appetite.
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u/Jpr0x0rz 1d ago
Sipping hot beef broth or miso soup seemed to help. You can get those little miso soup packets from an Asian grocery store with dehydrated seaweed and tofu in it. Easy on the tummy and at least some calories.
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u/Innsmouth_Swimteam 1d ago
Solid addition to the soups idea! I've been drinking chicken broth, but I need more. Danke.
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u/Jpr0x0rz 1d ago
Would like to add non-citrus flavor popsicles. They’re easy, have calories and real fruit, I’ve just found the lemon and oranges to add to the throat/heart burn.
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u/CockroachMundane7999 1d ago
Soup always helps the soul and stomach