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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 20:01:18
I can't eat. I just can't. I am going to go on a liquid diet. I will talk to my GP about this. I can't stand chewing and I don't know what else to do.
Is there anyone here who uses things like Ensure or Boost as their main source of food (B2Chica I know you do).
But I am also worried about my stomach forgetting how to digest food.
Maxime
Posted by CareBear04 on March 17, 2005, at 22:15:26
In reply to Maybe it's time to shake it up, posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 20:01:18
hey maxime-- i haven't read a lot of posts, so i don't know your situation, but i would hesitate to recommend a liquid diet. over time, i've had so many boosts and ensures of all different flavors that they make me sick. drink enough of them, and they'll become gross, even the ones that are ok at first. and the GI tract does get used to a soft diet after awhile and 'forgets' how to process real food. i only had to do the liquid thing for about six weeks, and three months after going back to solid foods, i still have trouble digesting, especially things that are rich like ice cream. hope this helps.
Posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 23:13:43
In reply to Re: Maybe it's time to shake it up » Maxime, posted by CareBear04 on March 17, 2005, at 22:15:26
I agree with you. However, wouldn't it be better than nothing? Because right now I am having trouble swallowing food. A couple of years ago my pdoc told me it was okay to do this for awhile. I never got sick of them although the smell does get to me. I like to freeze them in containers and eat them that way. I just let it thaw in my mouth so no chewing is involved.
I am really depresed right now so my throat feels like it is closed up (i know it's not).
I need to see my GP.
Lost from Within
> hey maxime-- i haven't read a lot of posts, so i don't know your situation, but i would hesitate to recommend a liquid diet. over time, i've had so many boosts and ensures of all different flavors that they make me sick. drink enough of them, and they'll become gross, even the ones that are ok at first. and the GI tract does get used to a soft diet after awhile and 'forgets' how to process real food. i only had to do the liquid thing for about six weeks, and three months after going back to solid foods, i still have trouble digesting, especially things that are rich like ice cream. hope this helps.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 18, 2005, at 13:49:19
In reply to Re: Maybe it's time to shake it up, posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 23:13:43
hi maxime,
i'm sorry you're having hard time. i'm the same way with eating and depression. some people don't understand it because others in my family overeat when they feel bad.
anyway, i think ensure and boost are definitely better than nothing. when i was in the hospital on a soft diet, other things that i was able to eat were pudding, soft sandwiches like PB&J or tuna, and stuff like that. the sandwiches might be good if you can manage them. protein is really important, so the nutritionist had the kitchen send up a PB&J sandwich for me to eat before bed. i'm not sure that's good for your digestion, but it adds calories and nutrition. maybe this is just an idiosyncratic problem, but my system seems to forget how to handle dairy if i don't eat it consistently. if this is a problem for you, maybe you could eat yogurt either alone or with your shakes. one of my friends also suggested blending frozen yogurt or ice cream into the ensures or boosts, adding calories and helping mix up the taste. smoothies are also good and easier to take in. some smoothie places offer free or add-on boosts with protein or minerals or vitamins, which is an easy way to meet your daily needs.
i hope this helps, and i hope things get better for you!
Posted by gardenergirl on March 18, 2005, at 14:53:02
In reply to Re: Maybe it's time to shake it up » Maxime, posted by CareBear04 on March 18, 2005, at 13:49:19
Maxime,
I wonder if a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) might be able to help you work with the chewing/ swallowing issue. They often work with people who have had strokes and are not safe to swallow foods learn to eat safely again. I suspect that some of the techniques could be adapted to your issue. I wonder if your GP could write a referral? Or perhaps a nutritionist?Sorry to hear about your trouble. I also would be worried about a liquid diet. I think I would try soft foods or even pureed before going to liquid.
Good luck.
gg
Posted by TamaraJ on March 19, 2005, at 14:28:17
In reply to Maybe it's time to shake it up, posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 20:01:18
Maxime,
I have used Ensure and Boost regularly for months now. I started using them when I was having a hard time eating. Now, I just have one or two in the morning with the piece of fruit with a nutrigrain bar or a slice of toast.
If you are thinking about going on a liquid diet, maybe you might want to consider something besides Ensure or Boost. For a while I was making really good smoothies with whey protein powder. I would use both fresh and frozen fruit (usually a banana and fresh strawberries, plus frozen berries of some kind), some almonds, a cup or 1/2 a cup of yogurt and a teaspoon of brewer's yeast (high in B vitamins). I used soy milk instead of regular milk. Sometimes I even used rice milk - not too bad. Very filling and very nutritious. To get veggies, you might want to consider buying some Gardenay soups (yummy - Autumn Carrot, Butternut Squash, Garden Vegetable - all pure (sorry I don't have a french keyboard). I even started making my own soup with spinach, zucchini and carrots (pure again). You could probably add some chick peas or something to get some protein.
Good luck to you Maxime. My thoughts are with you.
Tamara
> I can't eat. I just can't. I am going to go on a liquid diet. I will talk to my GP about this. I can't stand chewing and I don't know what else to do.
>
> Is there anyone here who uses things like Ensure or Boost as their main source of food (B2Chica I know you do).
>
> But I am also worried about my stomach forgetting how to digest food.
>
>
> Maxime
Posted by TamaraJ on March 20, 2005, at 12:19:15
In reply to Maybe it's time to shake it up, posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 20:01:18
This may sound like a stupid idea, but perhaps you can try some baby food, the stuff in the jars (Gerbers or whatever it is). It must be loaded with nutrients, and you can get stuff like veggies, fruits and other things. It might be worth a try to get you eating more than 500 calories a day. And, you could also make the protein shakes as well (not the Ensure or the Boost, which you could use as back-ups).
Tamara
Posted by B2chica on March 21, 2005, at 11:03:07
In reply to Maybe it's time to shake it up, posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 20:01:18
unfortunately i understand. there were some great tips given here. adding icecream or yogurt to boost and ensure help, the smoothies are excellent and i was going to suggest that, it's blended and is liquid yet contains stuff you need.
i would suggest if you have a juicer do the 'natural' route. maybe having more 'natural' foods vs. store bought/man made items could help?
-not eating solid foods will effect your digestion over time as well as your teeth and gums. so i do ward some caution and if you can get an apple or something in for a little crunch (plus it's natural).
-you may want to try casserols.(sp?) if you can, anything with gravys and dressings. these add fluidness to the 'food', and not much chewing involved.
-about how many calories are you taking in/day do you know?I am VERY happy to hear you are going to talk to your GP about this-you may want to bring up supplements. you are a very smart person Maxime. please continue to take care of yourself. be patient with yourself but Don't stop questioning WHY you are doing this. talk it out-even if it's just with yourself.
-please take care
B2c.
> I can't eat. I just can't. I am going to go on a liquid diet. I will talk to my GP about this. I can't stand chewing and I don't know what else to do.
> Is there anyone here who uses things like Ensure or Boost as their main source of food (B2Chica I know you do).
> But I am also worried about my stomach forgetting how to digest food.
> Maxime
Posted by B2chica on March 22, 2005, at 8:59:46
In reply to Maybe it's time to shake it up, posted by Maxime on March 17, 2005, at 20:01:18
to mention 'cream of' stuff. creamy soups, oatmeal, cream of wheat kinda stuff. this will help keep you healthy but is low in fat and no chewing involved.
Also, and most importantly.
Drink Gatorade. this will help with electrolytes. it's one of the first things my GP said. there is a big danger with electrolyte imbalance with ED.-please be safe and take care. and let's figure out what's behind this drive. i will if you will.
B2c.
This is the end of the thread.
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