What should you eat after having no appetite for 4 days?
My husband is in Hospice care, slowly withdrawing from the heavy meds, but has no appetite, drinks only a little water or juice. I'd like to give him a small portion of something to keep him strong.
I'm sure that your husbands hospice nurse told you that when the body is starting to shut down that your husband won't want any food or drink and that it can be quite painful to force either on him as the digestive system is the first to shut down. So perhaps if he says he's hungry you can try a little applesauce or even an Ensure. The fact that you're wanting to keep your husband "strong" while he's under hospice care, tells, me that you're having a hard time accepting the fact that your husband is dying, and for that I am sorry. The most important thing now is that he be kept comfortable and pain free, and not strong. I wish you well as you take this final journey with your dear husband.
What does he say he wants? Dairy is more difficult to digest. But if he really wants ice cream or a shake give him a small portion and see how he takes it. Soups Cream of rice, wheat or even grits would be easy to eat. Scrambled eggs or if he wants more an omelet
I will "caution" you "We" have all been raised with the mind set of "Eat" it will make you feel better. Eat it will make you stronger. For almost any culture food is how we show love, caring and support. Food is with us in joyous times and in sad times. If your husband is dying his body may not want or need food. Offer food and drink Do not force. Do not be surprised if he does not want any or if he just takes very small bites or sips. As the body begins to die organs begin to shut down and he can not process food or fluid as he did before. He will not feel hunger or thirst like you or I do. . Follow his lead as to what to give him. And how much.
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So perhaps if he says he's hungry you can try a little applesauce or even an Ensure.
The fact that you're wanting to keep your husband "strong" while he's under hospice care, tells, me that you're having a hard time accepting the fact that your husband is dying, and for that I am sorry.
The most important thing now is that he be kept comfortable and pain free, and not strong.
I wish you well as you take this final journey with your dear husband.
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Dairy is more difficult to digest.
But if he really wants ice cream or a shake give him a small portion and see how he takes it.
Soups
Cream of rice, wheat or even grits would be easy to eat.
Scrambled eggs or if he wants more an omelet
I will "caution" you
"We" have all been raised with the mind set of "Eat" it will make you feel better. Eat it will make you stronger. For almost any culture food is how we show love, caring and support.
Food is with us in joyous times and in sad times.
If your husband is dying his body may not want or need food.
Offer food and drink Do not force.
Do not be surprised if he does not want any or if he just takes very small bites or sips.
As the body begins to die organs begin to shut down and he can not process food or fluid as he did before.
He will not feel hunger or thirst like you or I do. .
Follow his lead as to what to give him. And how much.