Saying hello

Hi Kayleigh.  Now, that does sound interesting and I’d be glad to hear how that tasting goes.  It is such a tough one, isn’t it.  Without appetite, the way a meal looks is important to stimulating that appetite and without that desire to eat, enticing them is hard.  However, I’m sure we are all very skilled at the encouragement side of things.  Thanks for your message and I look forward to the outcome of your tasting session.

best wishes,

Laura x

Thank you for giving me this advice.  We have actually been living this experience for a couple of years now, so have been doing much of this.  Your message though, reminds me of things I’ve forgotten to try, or go back to trying.  After Peter was tube fed (for 18 months), he was delighted to do whatever he could to eat normally and the novelty of that meant that he was raring to go and eat whatever was put in front of him.  We soon knew what textures were acceptable with less choking (although if he wants that particular food, he still goes ahead regardless at times!).  Over time and the development of the second ‘pouch’ and the malfunctioning laryngeal closure on swallowing, just about everything defeats him after just a few minutes.  Determined (stubborn), he just carries on and I will be ‘zapping’ (microwaving) his plateful regularly.  When his food cools down, he just loses the impetus to continue, which is totally understandable. Often the heating up makes the texture of the food become more tricky to swallow and so it goes on.  You are also living the experience, so I know that you know only too well how it all feels.  I’m sorry that you are also in this position, but grateful to you for sharing all of these pointers.  I’ll have a look at the Huel site. I hope you and all others reading this can have a Happy Christmas, making the best of things with loved ones.  If nothing else, with all this chocolate around (and he loves it), Peter will!

All the best

Laura 

Merry Christmas to you too, Laura. and Peter

Here's to progress for all in 2025, if at all possible xxx