Expert: Loren - 6/1/2007

Question
My uncle got very depressed recently after his girlfriend left him and was not eating for a while. He is now very sick and has been vomiting up bile for the last few days. what kinds of things would you recomend him to eat that he might now be able to keep down. He said that he has tried to eat but now nothing will stay down. I suggested crackers and dry toast for now and plenty of water. What do oyou suggest. Thank you. Nikki

Answer
Hello Nikki

I'm sorry to hear about your uncle's current situation.
I am not aware of the kind of side-effects you are mentioning here after anorexia. Unless he is attempting to eat a large amount of food post-restriction. In that case there would be a chance of bringing it all back up. I know this is not something you'd particularly like to think about, but are you sure his vomiting is not self-induced?

However, if that is not the case then, yes, I would encourage your uncle to eat such foods as toast and crackers. Starchy food is more easily absorbed into the human digestive system than meats and other solids. If he is experiencing any pain with his vomiting then I would suggest he try to drink milk aswell as water. But plenty of fluids is ideal here.

I hope this helps.
Loren