For the past week, I have been on a clear liquid diet. I was able to try soft foods over the weekend but as soon as I did, the pain and nausea shot back up so I’m back on clear liquids until at least Friday. In other words, I could eat my left arm off.
Navigating the side effects and unexpected bumps in the road with chronic illness can be difficult and frustrating but sometimes you just have to try to find the humor to keep yourself moving forward. Here are 5 ways that I have attempted to survive my liquid diet without committing a crime:
1- Drink…a lot: I try to drink as much as possible but it has been difficult. I was drinking Ensure but had to stop when they moved me back to clear liquids so Coke has pretty much been my main source of calories. However, I am down 7 pounds already. It’s not working really well. It is tough to maintain a decent calories intake on Coke and popsicles.
2- Use meal break for things besides meals: My lunch breaks the last several days have been a toss-up in trying to keep myself thinking about things other than lunch. Today I went to the doctor with my husband (I learned what it was like to be on the other side of the exam table and I don’t like it. I feel so helpless when he hurts and I cannot fix it). Yesterday I spent it cleaning my floors. Good for my house, not for my hunger.
3- Stay distracted: My favorite form of distraction has been Ghost Hunters. I am up to season 6 in my collection. Anyone want to donate seasons 7 and 8?
4- Distract yourself some more: Sorry if you follow me on Pinterest and I’m blowing up your feed. I’ve got free time on my hands that I usually spend…you know…eating.
5- Plan your perfect first meal once you are cleared to eat again: When this is all over, I am going to get a nice juicy steak. The size of my head.
Anyone have any tips on surviving three more days of clear liquids only? I need all the help I can get!
can you do Pedialyte (honestly, it came on my radar b/c a friend uses it for hangovers!)? it has a good bit of vitamins in there. As would Gatorade or another supplement-style item? Not the same cause as an uber-athlete, but you have the same need of easy to digest protein and vitamins.
When I was little, I’d get nasty bugs with vomitting. My doc had my mom give me a SPOONFUL of either gatorade or ginger ale (alternted over time)
I hadn’t thought of Pedialyte! I’ll have to give that a try! Thanks for the suggestion! I have definitely worried about not getting the vitamins I need@
How about some nutrient rich, well seasoned bone broth taken every two hours?
Sugar feeds endo, and chemical colorings are neurotoxic, bogging your body down w/ one more thing to process.
God bless your journey~
“….for He Has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
Hebrews 13:5
I am so not a fan of broth so I’ve been putting it off but if the restrictions do not get lifted by tomorrow, I’m going to have to force myself to drink it! I need the nutrients!
I encourage you to try different types of broth in this situation. Homemade chicken and vegetable broth taste way way better than the canned or box varieties! So once you’re well maybe make some that you freeze in case you need it for the future? Find a friend or family member who likes to cook and would do this for you! And maybe try some broths from different cultures– such as the clear broth in hot and sour soup in Thai food?
Also homemade lemonade is really yummy and will help you with electrolytes. Maintaining your electrolyte balance is especially important!
And clear apple juice also? does not have all the nasty things that Coke does… when I was on clear liquids before gallbladder surgery, all I did was drink ginger ale, I got a nasty case of thrush/yeast in my mouth because of all the sugar. That would be another reason to focus more on broth and savory rather than sweet liquids!
Good luck and I really hope the clear liquids worked and you were able to avoid surgery.
Peace,
Joyce
I can’t imagine how tough that is. Hang in there.
I also wanna try this kind of diet but I don’t’ know where to start. Glad someone’s already doing it and encourages me! Thanks, Jamee!
I would definitely not do this for fun or for any other reason than doctor’s orders and under the close watch of a doctor! I am being watched for a bowel obstruction. Only reason for clear liquid diet only.
I drank a ton of broth during my week-long bout with the stomach flu in November because WOW did I get sick of having nothing but sugary things to drink! I hope you’re able to eat regularly soon.