No appetite

[fumanchu]

Husband been type 2 for years, now he's 79 and still diet-controlled no meds. I'm not well now either with quite severe ME, heart probs & bad arthritis. We're rarely hungry, and can happily live on one meal a day. The problem is the tiredness is on bad days I would rather have a pkt of crisps or plate of cereal than have to stand and cook. (Actually I'd rather starve than have to get up and make anything at all, takes all my time to make tea.) On good days we have decent LC stuff, but not much of it because of low appetie - plus there don't seem to be as many good days as there used to be! Seems to be common in older folk, but the stuff you get for this is Complan or Ensure and it's high carb. I tried one of the places who deliver ready made meals just to microwave, they were ok but there's no labels on the packs to show the carb count etc.
I'm worried he isn't getting enough to eat. Thought it's maybe overly complicated for this forum but if anybody has any ideas then I'll gratefully grab them.

 

[grantg]

as you've said decent LCstuff on good days and ordering ready microwave meal, if having a particularly good day why not do some batch cooking of LC then portion up and put into the freezer. added advantage it will be a LOT cheaper than ready meals, alongside you'll know the actual carb content. doesnt need to be massive bulk cooking either. 2-3 days is plently unless feel like you can manage a little more. sorry to hear that of your other health issues depending on pain get and where a tens machine or simular might be worth looking into. best wishes.

 

[Jo123]

Do you like curries? Waitrose do some lovely curries with all natural ingredients the chicken sag masala and chicken jalfrezi are low carb. I just serve them with vegetables not rice, you could use frozen veg. Sainsburys do a nice bag of frozen grilled vegetables which are low carb, nice with a fried egg as a dinner.
Another easy low carb dinner is mushroom omelette, you can buy pre sliced mushrooms.

 

[Speedbird]

Have a look at this website. It may be helpful as they deliver ready meals that are keto Good luck.

Keto Meal Prep & Ready Meals Delivered | Keto Kitchen Lytham

Keto Kitchen Lytham delivers fresh, low-carb, gluten-free meals to your door.. Enjoy ketogenic diabetic-friendly dishes made for busy lifestyles—order now!

ketokitchenlytham.co.uk

 

[fumanchu]

as you've said decent LCstuff on good days and ordering ready microwave meal, if having a particularly good day why not do some batch cooking of LC then portion up and put into the freezer. added advantage it will be a LOT cheaper than ready meals, alongside you'll know the actual carb content. doesnt need to be massive bulk cooking either. 2-3 days is plently unless feel like you can manage a little more. sorry to hear that of your other health issues depending on pain get and where a tens machine or simular might be worth looking into. best wishes.

Def could do more, yes. Maybe a pound of mince with veg chopped in, and divide into several meals. I have got a slow cooker that I love - a wee one that's just enough for two - and should use that more. Could do a stew in it. You've made me think - thank you!

 

[fumanchu]

Do you like curries? Waitrose do some lovely curries with all natural ingredients the chicken sag masala and chicken jalfrezi are low carb. I just serve them with vegetables not rice, you could use frozen veg. Sainsburys do a nice bag of frozen grilled vegetables which are low carb, nice with a fried egg as a dinner.
Another easy low carb dinner is mushroom omelette, you can buy pre sliced mushrooms.

Really don't like curry, but you've given me an idea - I do a lot of scrambled egg, and add cheese for extra protein. I could shovel in some chopped mushrooms and see how that works, mushrooms are quick and easy. And I should buy more rice, the microwavable quick stuff that has veg already in it. That would do with some cooked chicken TY!

 

[fumanchu]

Have a look at this website. It may be helpful as they deliver ready meals that are keto Good luck.

Keto Meal Prep & Ready Meals Delivered | Keto Kitchen Lytham

Keto Kitchen Lytham delivers fresh, low-carb, gluten-free meals to your door.. Enjoy ketogenic diabetic-friendly dishes made for busy lifestyles—order now!

ketokitchenlytham.co.uk

On this site now, looking. They seem to deliver up here, and if they are too dear then I could just save a few meals for really bad days or even xmas. TY!

 

[lovinglife]

I’ve used the Keto Kitchen Lytham in the past @fumanchu. Yes they are on the expensive side but they are true home cooked keto meals, they are very tasty & taste like homemade & their customer service is excellent. A big plus is no subscription! You can just order when you need them. You can swap out meals you don’t like - so say the curry you can request replacement.

A couple of tips - the quiche is very small so I used to swap that for a different lunch choice. Some of the lunch choices are large enough for a main evening meal so if as you say you have a small appetite then maybe you could freeze those for another evening meal & that would stretch out the menu for you for a further few days.

I used to go for the 5 day lunch & dinner, which brings down the price. Don’t bother with the breakfasts. Though they are handy & nice for me they are an un necessary cost.

If you’re worried your hubby isn’t eating enough then adding calorie dense foods like fats to your meals like butter, mayonnaise, cheese, avocado, a few nuts is a good way to go.

I always have a dozen hard boiled eggs in my fridge for quick breakfasts. You can add mayo for egg mayonnaise, cut in half & roll them in a slice of ham. You’re old enough to remember “egg in a cup” chop a couple of eggs, warm in the microwave and add some butter & seasoning, yummy! & a taste of childhood

Another staple for me is DietDoctor cheese crusted omelettes. I make a batch of 3 of these and they keep well in the fridge for 2 or 3 days. They are just as good cold as they are hot and are very easy to heat up in the microwave. I roll them rather than fold in half. It’s scary when you make the first one as you worry the cheese is burning but trust the process. I don’t add the cream but that’s personal taste. They make good wraps for a sandwich of meat & salad too. If you want to use them as wraps then just fold them in half rather than roll

Link to the recipe

The Best Keto Cheese-Crusted Omelet - Recipe - Diet Doctor

Once you've tried this omelet, there's no turning back. With its irresistible crust and sumptuously rich filling, this cheese-crusted miracle puts traditional omelets to shame. Perfect as a hearty breakfast but also an impressive option for a quick <a...

www.dietdoctor.com

 

[lovinglife]

Just adding if you browse the DietDoctor site it has some great low carb soup recipes that are good for batch cooking & freezing in portions, most will keep in the fridge for 2 of 3 days

 

[Badger09]

Batch cooking seems to be the answer, as others have said, but perhaps a base that can turn into several different meals to keep variety and interest in your diet.

I often cook a rich mince base with chopped tin tomatoes, onion and herbs, perhaps with diced carrots and butternut squash for bulk. I divide in three, portion one ( cottage or sheppards pie) gets a three root veg crush topping (say butternut squash,swede and celeriac) with grated cheese on top. Portion two is used as a sauce for pasta (could be spaghetti bolognese or lasgne, or with penne. Portion 3, I add loads of kidney beans, A chopped sweet pepper or two, a little chilli powder and it's a 2 or 3 day chilli meal.

Simllar with a roast chicken, roast day one, then maybe coq au vin or chicken salad, then its a stew or a curry( I don't use rice but add lots of veg to add bulk but not carbs (Tesco own brand curry sauces are very inexpensive and good). 4 or 5 days of very varied meals from one days initial cooking.

 

[fumanchu]

I’ve used the Keto Kitchen Lytham in the past @fumanchu. Yes they are on the expensive side but they are true home cooked keto meals, they are very tasty & taste like homemade & their customer service is excellent. A big plus is no subscription! You can just order when you need them. You can swap out meals you don’t like - so say the curry you can request replacement.

A couple of tips - the quiche is very small so I used to swap that for a different lunch choice. Some of the lunch choices are large enough for a main evening meal so if as you say you have a small appetite then maybe you could freeze those for another evening meal & that would stretch out the menu for you for a further few days.

I used to go for the 5 day lunch & dinner, which brings down the price. Don’t bother with the breakfasts. Though they are handy & nice for me they are an un necessary cost.

If you’re worried your hubby isn’t eating enough then adding calorie dense foods like fats to your meals like butter, mayonnaise, cheese, avocado, a few nuts is a good way to go.

I always have a dozen hard boiled eggs in my fridge for quick breakfasts. You can add mayo for egg mayonnaise, cut in half & roll them in a slice of ham. You’re old enough to remember “egg in a cup” chop a couple of eggs, warm in the microwave and add some butter & seasoning, yummy! & a taste of childhood

Another staple for me is DietDoctor cheese crusted omelettes. I make a batch of 3 of these and they keep well in the fridge for 2 or 3 days. They are just as good cold as they are hot and are very easy to heat up in the microwave. I roll them rather than fold in half. It’s scary when you make the first one as you worry the cheese is burning but trust the process. I don’t add the cream but that’s personal taste. They make good wraps for a sandwich of meat & salad too. If you want to use them as wraps then just fold them in half rather than roll

Link to the recipe

The Best Keto Cheese-Crusted Omelet - Recipe - Diet Doctor

Once you've tried this omelet, there's no turning back. With its irresistible crust and sumptuously rich filling, this cheese-crusted miracle puts traditional omelets to shame. Perfect as a hearty breakfast but also an impressive option for a quick <a...

www.dietdoctor.com

AN M&S meal for one, does both of us so this keto stuff might be the same. I used to make an egg in a cup when my kids were poorly - they loved it And that omelette recipe looks fabulous! Thanks xx

 

[fumanchu]

Batch cooking seems to be the answer, as others have said, but perhaps a base that can turn into several different meals to keep variety and interest in your diet.

I often cook a rich mince base with chopped tin tomatoes, onion and herbs, perhaps with diced carrots and butternut squash for bulk. I divide in three, portion one ( cottage or sheppards pie) gets a three root veg crush topping (say butternut squash,swede and celeriac) with grated cheese on top. Portion two is used as a sauce for pasta (could be spaghetti bolognese or lasgne, or with penne. Portion 3, I add loads of kidney beans, A chopped sweet pepper or two, a little chilli powder and it's a 2 or 3 day chilli meal.

Simllar with a roast chicken, roast day one, then maybe coq au vin or chicken salad, then its a stew or a curry( I don't use rice but add lots of veg to add bulk but not carbs (Tesco own brand curry sauces are very inexpensive and good). 4 or 5 days of very varied meals from one days initial cooking.

I used to do all this Badger but not any more - the ooomph has totally left the building and the simplest thing is too much now. I hope it's a temporary blip.

 

[lovinglife]

AN M&S meal for one, does both of us so this keto stuff might be the same. I used to make an egg in a cup when my kids were poorly - they loved it And that omelette recipe looks fabulous! Thanks xx

The meals are a bit smaller than a ready meal, but bulk them out with a bit of veg & you will probably have enough to fill you both up as they are by nature higher in fat & protein and without the additives of a shop bought ready meal & this makes them more filling - I never added to the lunches but I did to the dinners. The soup will definitely not be enough for 2 of you though, you get a small roll with it - you can add extra rolls from the shop to your order I think, I’ve never done that.

They are very good at answering any questions or requests you have so you can email them

 

[fumanchu]

Great, ty!!!

 

[There is no Spoon]

Actually I'd rather starve than have to get up and make anything at all

Ain't that the truth.

The amount of times opening the fridge seems like such a chore just easier to skip breakfast, then lunch if it wasn't for having a daughter, who has some how got into the habit of eating on a daily bases, I wouldn't make the effort for dinner either; a packet of crisps of a chocolate biscuit would do.

But that's part of how I got here in the first place.

I can only speculate that a cause for loss of appetite and lack of motivation would be not eating properly.
Some times you have to force yourself to make the effort.

 

[fumanchu]

Ain't that the truth.

The amount of times opening the fridge seems like such a chore just easier to skip breakfast, then lunch if it wasn't for having a daughter, who has some how got into the habit of eating on a daily bases, I wouldn't make the effort for dinner either; a packet of crisps of a chocolate biscuit would do.

But that's part of how I got here in the first place.

I can only speculate that a cause for loss of appetite and lack of motivation would be not eating properly.
Some times you have to force yourself to make the effort.

Absolutely right xx

 

[Resurgam]

I have a halogen oven, a clever grill, and an air fryer, a pressure cooker - all sorts of things picked up over the years. A lot of them have both timer and temperature sensor so it is a case of tossing in the food and setting the dials, then it 'tings' or 'peeps' to say it is done.
With the pressure cooker I set it going and then sit down to do my crochet project, as it is an old fashioned one, but there are modern ones with timers, I am told. Prep time for a stew of already cut up meat and some frozen veges, an onion and a couple of sticks of celery is five minutes, cooking takes under half an hour and makes enough for a couple of days at least.
Quite a few meals I can organise when I go past in the morning to get some coffee - taking food out of the freezer is actually a good start.
Lack of nourishment can put you into a sort of hibernation state, where it is just too much trouble to do anything, which can become a very dismal existence. I felt like that before my failed thyroid was diagnosed and treated.

 

[fumanchu]

That's very insightful of you Resurgam, that's how I was for ages. I now try and get enough protein into me every day to keep ticking over. But every so often - as everybody in here will know - the food/weight/BG balancing act becomes just too much. It's a lot to do with strength of mind as well as physical strength to stand and cook. This forum is great for motivation and support, ty