Sick and Tired...of eating

hazelmae123
hazelmae123 Posts: 109 Member
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
I know my body pretty well and I know when I am sick or run down I eat because my body is attempting to get energy from food. BUT knowing this doesn't help the situation. I have been sick and exhausted with sick kids lately. So I am hungry all of the time and it is killing my daily caloric intake, and I crave things with quick energy like sweets and simple carbs. I actually crave fast food when I am ill, when I'm really sick I crave a Big Mac, the rest of the year, I don't touch them.

Knowing all this doesn't solve the problem, I am still eating too much. I don't crave my normal healthy foods and I feel it in my waistline.

Any suggestions on how to manage eating while sick and exhausted....

HELP.

Replies

  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    I know my body pretty well and I know when I am sick or run down I eat because my body is attempting to get energy from food. BUT knowing this doesn't help the situation. I have been sick and exhausted with sick kids lately. So I am hungry all of the time and it is killing my daily caloric intake, and I crave things with quick energy like sweets and simple carbs. I actually crave fast food when I am ill, when I'm really sick I crave a Big Mac, the rest of the year, I don't touch them.

    Knowing all this doesn't solve the problem, I am still eating too much. I don't crave my normal healthy foods and I feel it in my waistline.

    Any suggestions on how to manage eating while sick and exhausted....

    HELP.

    Self discipline.
  • coyoteo
    coyoteo Posts: 532 Member
    My suggestion would be to make your own healthier version of whatever you crave at home. My husband and I occasionally make our own version of the big mac at home at it tastes wayyy better than mcdonalds. And is about half the calories.
  • mallorybriann
    mallorybriann Posts: 1,380 Member
    Self discipline.

    This. And once you stop eating those foods, you wont want them anymore. The thought of some fast food grosses me out!
    Don't be around that junk and don't keep it in the house. You could also try and making those foods you crave at home in a healthier way. Hungry Girl has a lot of those recipes.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    LOL..I crave Chef Boyardee Raviolios when I'm sick (not sure if they even make those anymore, but it goes back to childhood, I'm sure). I think most people crave 'comfort foods' when they're sick, but try not to let it sabotage any progress you've made so far.

    I'd suggest lots of water...maybe add some lemon in if its too boring. I was sick a couple of weeks ago and plain water almost gagged me..which never happens. Maybe try Emergen-c immunity booster or something too...sounds like you're very run down. Try to get lean protein and things that usually make you feel full longer, and just try to get as much rest as possible!
  • Thena81
    Thena81 Posts: 1,265 Member
    My suggestion would be to make your own healthier version of whatever you crave at home. My husband and I occasionally make our own version of the big mac at home at it tastes wayyy better than mcdonalds. And is about half the calories.
  • MIMITIME
    MIMITIME Posts: 405 Member
    I am the same way. I really don't have an answer other than I try to choose the lesser of the evils. I can eat a Thomas raisin and cinnamon bagel and it satisfies my craving for the ooey gooey real cinnamon bun but it still has a lot of carbs. I do the fat free ice cream, graham crackers, honey nut cherrio cereal - things like that. I can usually cook a low fat beef hamburger and use real white bread to satisfy fast food cravings. It is not perfect but it is better than fast food. I recently made vegetable beef soup which is my cool weather go to food but I used turnip roots instead of potatos. I have to tell you, it was really good and I would make it again.
  • 2bFitNTrim
    2bFitNTrim Posts: 1,209 Member
    My completely un-scientific opinion. You are having cravings because your body is desperately seeking nutrients to fight off your infection. Nourish yourself well! Quality, nutrient dense foods with plenty of fluids.

    Hope you feel better soon! :flowerforyou:
  • lururu
    lururu Posts: 123 Member
    Crunchy peanut butter on wholemeal/wholegrain toast is always my saviour :)

    The peanut butter tastes bad for you but is actually a great slow release food, the texture satisfies that bit of you that wants something creamy and the crunchy peanut bits and toast cover the need for something crisp :)

    Think I might be snacking on that later......
  • humglum
    humglum Posts: 98 Member
    If you're not physically hungry than eating something is not the solution. I know this is a hard concept to grasp and live with -- it is for me, too, and a lot of times I have to distract myself or even go to another area of the house away from the kitchen if I know I am on the verge of snacking FOR NO REASON except that I am bored, feeling unwell, upset, etc.

    Finding ways to make the foods you crave is fine and good but not really helpful (unless it is the only way to stop yourself from going on a binge, then I can see how it could help). Especially if you are sick you should be eating healthy, nutritious foods to help your body heal itself. If your body is trying to get 'energy' from food, feed it nutrient-dense food and not energy-dense food.
  • 123456654321
    123456654321 Posts: 1,311 Member
    Self discipline.
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    If you're not physically hungry than eating something is not the solution. I know this is a hard concept to grasp and live with -- it is for me, too, and a lot of times I have to distract myself or even go to another area of the house away from the kitchen if I know I am on the verge of snacking FOR NO REASON except that I am bored, feeling unwell, upset, etc.

    Finding ways to make the foods you crave is fine and good but not really helpful (unless it is the only way to stop yourself from going on a binge, then I can see how it could help). Especially if you are sick you should be eating healthy, nutritious foods to help your body heal itself. If your body is trying to get 'energy' from food, feed it nutrient-dense food and not energy-dense food.

    Depends on the quality of the snack. At work I snack on almonds & sliced cucumbers. Not m&m's like before.
  • Pollywog39
    Pollywog39 Posts: 1,730 Member
    Those who retorted with "self discipline" are just mean..............when YOU ARE SICK and you are exhausted, self-discipline kinda goes out the window.

    Have some empathy :noway:

    I agree with those who are saying to try lower-calorie and fat versions of those things you are craving - and maybe try some CHICKEN SOUP, the old standby for illness :)

    Get some rest, too.......that always helps.

    Take care.
  • JeepsMcCreeps
    JeepsMcCreeps Posts: 19
    Whenever I'm craving fries or something icky I usually eat a baked potato with vinegar. It kills the french fry craving and keeps me full forever. But that's just my way of dealing with it. Baked potatoes are more nutrient dense too, so if it's the nutrient problem then that might help as well.
  • humglum
    humglum Posts: 98 Member
    If you're not physically hungry than eating something is not the solution. I know this is a hard concept to grasp and live with -- it is for me, too, and a lot of times I have to distract myself or even go to another area of the house away from the kitchen if I know I am on the verge of snacking FOR NO REASON except that I am bored, feeling unwell, upset, etc.

    Finding ways to make the foods you crave is fine and good but not really helpful (unless it is the only way to stop yourself from going on a binge, then I can see how it could help). Especially if you are sick you should be eating healthy, nutritious foods to help your body heal itself. If your body is trying to get 'energy' from food, feed it nutrient-dense food and not energy-dense food.

    Depends on the quality of the snack. At work I snack on almonds & sliced cucumbers. Not m&m's like before.

    I still think that there is no point in snacking if you're not actually hungry, no matter what the snack might be. That was my point. If you are hungry then of course you should eat food that fits with your normal manner of eating.
  • hazelmae123
    hazelmae123 Posts: 109 Member
    Those who retorted with "self discipline" are just mean..............when YOU ARE SICK and you are exhausted, self-discipline kinda goes out the window.

    Have some empathy :noway:

    I agree with those who are saying to try lower-calorie and fat versions of those things you are craving - and maybe try some CHICKEN SOUP, the old standby for illness :)

    Get some rest, too.......that always helps.

    Take care.

    Yes, if self discipline was that easy I wouldn't have put the post up...duh. When I am already sick, then spend friday in the er with a kid having a peanut allergy reaction, and then on steroids the next five days, then his twin comes down sick and I'm up til four am with that one and giving him breathing treatments at home. Then the next one comes down sick and I have three out of four at home sick plus I'm exhausted it isn't so easy to just manage a normal day. Luckily a dear friend came over yesterday to watch kids while I napped a few hours.

    So self discipline, on a normal day...sure. On a week of sick and very little sleep...not so effective.

    I am upping my water, taking vitamins and making some healthier "comfort" meals today since I have a little more energy. Thanks to everyone's input.
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