Grief and eating

Hi all

My mum passed away on Xmas eve and since then I’ve found that I’m struggling to eat. It’s not that I am not hungry, I am hungry but when I sit down to eat something I suddenly lose interest in eating. I end up forcing myself to eat and this results in me eating really slowly. I am trying to eat what I fancy but that’s not helping. For example, I fancied a piece of chocolate cake for lunch (usually one of my most favourite things) but I spent around an hour eating it! I’m so slow and I ate about 3/4 of the slice in 45 mins and then pushed the remainder around my plate for 10-15 mins. 

Is this normal? I usually love my food so I am worried about why I’m struggling to eat. I’ve never had eating problems before and I’m usually a quick eater. I’m also slim and don’t really have any weight to lose. I’ve noticed i’M losing weight and that worries me. My dad’s eating ability hadn’t changed at all. 

thanks

Alice

  • Alice. 

    I am so sorry to hear about your mum. We always need our parents no matter how old we are. 

    Please try to eat little portions but more often. You need to be strong for your dad.  Your mums memories hold on to them and life only stops for those who die. We have to continue. It’s hard I know but pls do eat. 

    Sending you hugs. Babita.  X

  • Hi, there is nothing unusual about not wanting to eat at present.  I literally couldn't eat for weeks after my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  I lost a lot of weight (but that wasn't a bad thing for me!), and I have gone back to eating now.  My 8 year old wasn't affected at all around eating, but my 12 year old has now been diagnosed with an eating disorder.  The feeling is that because things have gone out of control in her life so she is controling her eating instead.  I found smoothies kept me going ok (I was having a lot of heart palpatations which I think was from not eating properly), I could drink but not eat.  Its the toughest time in the world to get through

    XX