I only need some advice, as i'm not feeling hugely down, just a bit....bleh! & confused about what to do.
Basically, iv'e been diagnosed with an ED and have to put on some weight, I want to do it, but by eating healthy foods, so i don't feel guilty and purge / take laxatives etc
but..... Here's my problem ; i don't like healthy food. I like the odd piece of fruit, and that's all no vegetables at all.
But the thing is.... I've never tried (as i can remember) any of these foods, and i am literally terrified to try them....
I really want help with this, because I think it will help my recovery, but I'm not sure what i can do. Whether i can get professional help with this? things i can do myself? I just don't know....
Many thanks :) xx
Never frown, because you never know when somebody is falling in love with your smile!
ok, how about trying things like yogurt/chocolate coated raisins or other dried fruit? things like cereal bars are good for energy as are nuts. With the vegetables, maybe start of by trying minute portions to figure out which ones are acceptable and then slowly increase them from there.
I'm the same...... I HATE healthy food...
but I found making smoothies is a good way to get a bit of your 5 a day... maybe invest in a smoothie recipe book? The fact they're mixed together would make you forget what exactly it is you're eating. Also maybe try soups (again, the same concept of mixing everything together..)
or maybe look online for some great recipes for vegetables. Sometimes the concept of eating fruit and veg is daunting, but if they taste nice and are well prepared then it could be easier...
xxxx
As a little kid you believed in fairytales,
that fantasy of what your life would be: white dress; prince charming who would carry you away to a castle on a hill.
You closed your eyes and had complete and utter faith.
Eventually you grow up. One day you open your eyes and the fairy tale disappears.
But the thing is, it's hard to let go of that fairytale entirely because almost everyone has that smallest bit of hope, of faith,
that one day they will open their eyes and it will come true.
Hiya!
Although I don't have an ED hon I really empathise with you about not liking healthy foods. I really like Jess's idea about mixing fruit and veg together because it can feel a bit daunting when you're just faced with eating fruit can't it? I think the key thing to remember though is there is actually a whole range of food that can be considered as healthy if you just made a few modifications and I think what you're trying to do will be a lot easier if you focussed on the food you liked. Just for a moment forget you have any hang-ups about food-what would you like to eat? Then look at the list and ask yourself what you might feel comfortable eating? You may have to go a little bit out of your comfort zone here but that is the joy of discovering new types of food you can add to your diet!
If you feel you want to maybe you can mix fruit and veg in with the foods on your list but you may not feel you need to.
Also trying out new cuisines can be a fun way to introduce new things into your diet. I know Indian cuisine uses lentils a lot which are healthy and flavoursome. Maybe you can set yourself a little challenge to try something new each week for example?
Good luck with whatever you decide to do and I just want to say well done for making such a positive step towards recovery!
Kiran
xx
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you wish to make.
Hi! I'm lucky in that in general I quite like healthy foods but before I was IP and the choice was taken away from me, I was the opposite so I can relate a bit I think. :)
I think a lot of it is experimenting and trying things a few times to get used to their tastes.
Here are some ideas:
Fruit in porridge, it sweetens it up.
Fruit with natural yogurt perhaps with honey.
Fruit salads.
Tropical fruit such as mangos, papayas, pineapples, lychees - experiment! Make a game out of it and see how many you like.
Baked fruit with spices like cinnamon.
Fruity rice pudding.
Frozen grapes, yummy.
Blueberries are my favourite fruit ever, they are sweet and fragrant and I could (and do!) eat handfuls. Ooh, and strawberries.
Fruit also goes well in some african style dishes or just mixed in with couscous - dried apricots especially and figs and raisins are so good for you.
Do you like salads? If not, add a nice dressing, you can get really interesting ones nowadays. Try using roasted mediterranean veg like peppers, aubergines, courgettes, red onions, etc. Add a grain like couscous or rice or bulgar wheat or quinoa, all super healthy. You could try sun dried tomatoes or olives or something like feta cheese to go greek-y.
If you're not sure about veg, I'd recommend adding it to your meals instead of having it on the side. For example, broccoli in pasta, peas in rice/risotto, veg in stews or casseroles, beans in chilli, chickpeas in houmous, and like Kiran I think mentioned, lentils or spinach and potatoes in curry. Stir fries are fantastic with sweet/sour or black bean or soy sauces.
Also, do you like sweet potato? I only tried it a little while ago. It is sweet and you can make wedges in the oven with spices (herbs and spices are great) and they turn out like sweet chips. Corn on the cob is nicely sweet too and they are all very nutritious.
There is a whole world of fruit and veg out there and I bet you will love some and hate some too!
I think you are very brave and strong with your attitude to recovery, it's fantastic. Could you ask your GP/doctor to refer you to see a dietician. Unfortunately where I live it is hard to see one but there is no harm in asking and they could definitely help you with trying out new foods, perhaps building a meal plan.
Take it slow, don't pressure yourself and take care. I hope I haven't overwhelmed you.
Love Miranda. x
The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spell-bound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.
Wind in the Willows.
During my recovery i really learnt to appreciate food and try things i never had before.
I'm not really sure what i can say to help you in the process but i'm sure you'll get there :)
It's not ony fruits an vegs that are healthy.. healthy emans having a balanced diet
“Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles.”
----
Peanut butter!
It's tasty and healthy (full of nutrients and good fats) and is good for when you need to put on weight without being too scary.
And yeah, Kel is right, healthy food isn't just fruit and veg. It's dairy and protein and balanced meals. Can you see a nutritionist or dietician to help you sort a meal plan?
Sorry I'm no help. I'm terrible at healthy eating (duh) but I love fruit and veg. Just try lots of things cooked/prepared lots of ways and maybe you'll find things you like?
Did someone suggest dried fruits? They're a bit like sweets. Well to me anyway.
