Best foods when you are very sick with zero appetite

emmab0902

What are some good foods to try to eat when you are sick? I have had a kidney infection that has gone systemic and I haven't been able to even look at food for over 48 hours (drinking lots of fluids). Even my long standing daily devotion to chocolate has gone - I can't even look at it! I know this will pass but as I am already on the low end of healthy BMI I don't really want this to go on too long.

I have tried meats, veges, soups, bland food, tasty food, savoury, sweet, all make me feel ill!

BGoodz22

i had very horrible gal bladder infections and was in a similar scenario.

Foods that i survived with:

Instant mashed potatoes
Chicken noodle soup
rice
toast
wheat thins

PepperWorm

Unfortunately...the only advice I can think to give is to let it run its course.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Eat bland, easy to digest foods (apple sauce, soup/broth, plain saltines). Etc.

Give your body the rest it needs. Feel better soon!

conniemaxwell5

Try the BRAT diet - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. It's used mostly for recovery from stomach bugs but since your stomach is upset it might help. Lots and lots of water too.

castelluzzo99

For kidneys, I would do anything that is alkaline. See a list here: http://rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm

The reason is that acid foods put a heavy load on the kidneys (as my friend who has damaged kidneys knows first hand). So if you eat alkaline, it will make their job easier.

Now, if you can't stomach the food, that's another thing. But I would try fresh raw fruits and veggies from the alkaline side and see if it will help.

RobynLB83

Juice. Milk. Broth. Meal replacement shakes.

TeachTheGirl

I usually just cycle through thoughts of different foods to see what appeals to me and go with that.

Toast is usually a go-to.

MinMin97

The best food when you are sick and have zero appetite is....no food! Just drink some water and rest.

vienna_h

soups, smoothies and meal replacement shakes. even if it takes you hours to finish, just sip them slowly as much as you can. you'll still lose weight, but at least you'll get some nutrients which will help you get better faster.

Cp731

If you want to fill up Calories go for Gatorade or Poweraid also helps with electrolytes
Bread and Butter, the fishy cracker shaped bread is kinda sweet, its my go to sick food.
Healthy Choice has great soups that are lower in sodium and wont dehydrate you.
POPSICALS
Grapes, Honeydew, Strawberries
CANDY

princessofredrock

Fresh unpasteurized raw milk. depends on where you are if you have access to it. I was sick and it was all I could keep down! I drank over half a gallon, and my tummy was fine by the next morning! I will drink no other kind of milk now! lol

I have a dairy about an hour and a half from me, and I go every few weeks to buy raw milk! It has cured my heart burn and acid issues. No more intestinal pain or issues! I can't say that I have read anything yet about kidneys, but I am still doing research on it's healthy and healing properties! At least check it out!

Good luck to you, take care and get well soon! ; )

Chelle

SRH7

So sorry you're unwell. Kidney infections are nasty. My go-to foods when unwell are scrambled eggs on toast or a pile of mashed potato with either white/béchamel sauce or soup poured over. Basically nutritious comfort food. When I had my wisdom teeth out I lived on little pots of trifle and rice pudding for a week. Not the healthiest but it was easy to eat.

With kidney infections I also drink half a spoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a glass of warm water every couple of hours. Really helps neutralise your pee (but check if you are on other meds).

jen_zz

In my culture the ultimate comfort food is congee... just plain congee with some rice and lots of water. Personally I think it's more like a psychological comfort food more than actual nutrients. But somehow whoever gets sick from whatever they seem much happier after some warm steaming congee.

neandermagnon

Try the BRAT diet - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. It's used mostly for recovery from stomach bugs but since your stomach is upset it might help. Lots and lots of water too.

I was going to suggest that. Works on my kids after stomach bugs.

Also when I was recovering from a nasty stomach bug, I drank 7up to get calories in me, plus it's fluid.

LongIsland27itl

I'd have to say calorie dense foods since you don't feel like eating its better to get Big Bang for your meal. PB&Js, cream soups, grilled cheese with soup. They're all tummy so appetite shouldn't matter

eylia

If food is just making you feel horrid, listen to your body. Drink lots, more than you think you need. I have a lot of ill, nauseous days and find a bowl of plain rice with a little soy is a safe thing to try after a while of not handling food.

DawnieB1977

If you really can't eat, then don't. I drink lemonade when I'm ill. If eating doesn't make me throw up, I like flapjack for some reason. Maybe it's the oats in it as they have energy, plus it's sweet.

trudijoy

if i'm so sick or sore that I don't want to eat I drink calories. lemonade, ginger beer, herbal tea, whatever. if I can handle food, I go with whatever I feel like I can handle, but honey on crumpets is usually a winner

shar140

The best food when you are sick and have zero appetite is....no food! Just drink some water and rest.

I'd have to go with this one. Your body is already working super hard fighting off the infection, it doesn't need to also be working hard to digest foods. Water, broth, tea, keep hydrated.

Although I am partial to congee (or at the very least, rice cooked in chicken broth) when I have an upset stomach.