[Shaula]

Is it okay to talk about food here?

I've really lost my appetite due to depression and on a good day I eat once or twice a day. Sometimes I feel hungry but it feels like too much effort to make some food and it doesn't really feel worth it.

This probably sounds stupid because people like to eat different things, but I kind of need ideas for what to eat. Something that's easy to prepare.
So please share your "comfort foods". Or food that always manages to make you feel better or always tastes good. I'm out of ideas.

Hi Shaula. I think this topic is very relevant to bipolar disorder episodes. I certainly have changes in my eating during episodes. In my case, sometimes it varies by episode. Meaning some depressions I eat a ton, and others I barely eat. Ditto for mania and mixed episodes.I'm not sure why it's inconsistent. Here are some ideas:

Protein:
* Yogurt, if you like it (eat low fat or full fat, plain with fresh fruit recommended, but any yogurt fine)
* Nuts, if you like them
* Cheese slices/chunks or cottage cheese
* Cold cuts/salami (reubens and corned beef specials are comfort foods for me)

Carbs (they're not all bad):
* Bread and butter, sandwich, cinnamon toast (yum), toasted Eggo waffles with jam and/or peanut butter and fruit, bagel with cream cheese
* Oatmeal hot or overnight cold (I like carrot cake overnight oats)
*Bananas and other fruit, fruit juices
*Boiled ravioli/tortellini or other pasta with sauce or olive oil/garlic
*Mac & Cheese
*Delivery of whatever you like (pizza/Italian, Chinese, Indian)

Some kind of indulgent treat (in moderation)? If I wasn't eating much at all, a donut would be my ultimate comfort food. Just not more than two. A cheeseburger or hotdog can hit the spot.

[Fuzzybear]

all of the above

also salmon

[HALLIEBETH87]

Taco soup or chili
Roast with carrots and potatoes
Tomato soup with grilled cheese

[fern46]

If you're cooking for more than one or like leftovers these are easy

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole - Jo Cooks

Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili - Family Review Guide

I also like plates with various raw friuts and veggies, cheese, crackers, meats, hummus, etc I like to make my plate look like a rainbow and it lifts my mood.

[*Beth*]

Chicken noodle soup. Top Ramen. There's a tea made by Yogi teas; it's Lavender and Honey Stress Relief. It's a divine tea.

[cashart10]

I am on a low carb/high protein diet and have found many easy foods. Turkey bacon/sausage/pepperoni. Egg whites. Meatballs with marinara (Kroger has a refrigerated 24 pack of Italian meatballs right by the bob Evans mashed potatoes that I cook in the microwave with sauce for a couple of minutes—delicious). Sliced veggies. Jambalaya if you like spicy foods...I have a YUMMY recipe if you’re interested. I also have a delicious low carb version of chicken Parmesan. Jello pudding with whipped cream or cool whip- super easy and delicious. You can make a low carb version of that too! Everything else I can think of has been mentioned.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Throw chicken breasts or tenders (we use tenders usually) in a crockpot, cover in salsa and cook until done. I'm not sure how long it takes but about 4 hours on high? Shred the chicken and serve on tortilla shells with taco toppings or don't shred and serve the chicken in pieces with rice and corn.

Sprinkle cod with lemon pepper and broil until fish is flaky with a fork.

Steelcut oatmeal.

[cashart10]

Oh...and if you’re not worried about the carbs, pizza rolls or bagel bites, tater tots, or chicken fries—you can throw them in the oven. Also, broiled bratwursts or Italian sausages, yummy!

[zapatoes]

When I’m stressed, I eat easy to digest foods and soft foods (have TMJ). Tonight ate Greek yogurt, plain baked sweet potato, and dark chocolate with hazelnuts (it’s Valentine’s Day, always eat chocolate anyway). I get stomach upset when stressed and decreased appetite so soft, easy to eat foods are helpful.

[Shaula]

Thank you all for very good ideas. This helped me a lot, actually. I'm not sure if I can find all of those foods in my country, but maybe it's time to get creative. Or at least I can try something similar.

Originally Posted by cashart10

I am on a low carb/high protein diet and have found many easy foods. Turkey bacon/sausage/pepperoni. Egg whites. Meatballs with marinara (Kroger has a refrigerated 24 pack of Italian meatballs right by the bob Evans mashed potatoes that I cook in the microwave with sauce for a couple of minutes—delicious). Sliced veggies. Jambalaya if you like spicy foods...I have a YUMMY recipe if you’re interested. I also have a delicious low carb version of chicken Parmesan. Jello pudding with whipped cream or cool whip- super easy and delicious. You can make a low carb version of that too! Everything else I can think of has been mentioned.

Jambalaya and chicken parmesan actually sound very delicious. Also I've never tried them before. I'm a huge fan of spicy food and I'd be very grateful if you could share the recipe.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Oh yes please give them the recipe!
It’s yuuuuuumy

[cashart10]

Colleen'''s Slow Cooker Jambalaya Recipe - Allrecipes.com | Allrecipes



Easy Mozzarella Chicken Recipe (Low Carb Chicken Parm) - Cafe Delites. (For the actual recipe, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page. There’s tons of unnecessary info leading to the actual ingredients followed by actual recipe).

[StandingUp]

I get like that too. I know that I should be eating, as I am quite thin, but I can't be bothered. I have learned to love myself by making myself a protein shake. It gives my body what it needs, and tastes great.
1 cup of milk
1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
1 banana
1 hand full of frozen berries
A few ice cubes.
Blend and enjoy

My comfort food is homemade mac & cheese casserole. Yum