Why we can’t stomach food when we lose a loved one
Back to Topic
Click to Print
Useful Websites
Glossary Term Selection
The number of times I hear of bereaved people struggling with eating and asking others whether they have the same problem is staggering. But is it any wonder?
Not many people warn us of this effect of grief and, therefore, we are ill-prepared when we are suddenly confronted with a severe lack of appetite. Which may be okay initially. But when we have not been eating well for weeks and months, this eventually takes its toll on our health.
So, what on earth is going on?
Not feeling hungry is one of our body’s protective mechanisms when we are grieving. The powerful emotions that overwhelm us make it difficult for our body to process any food. Let alone the food many of us habitually eat - sandwiches, cereals with cold milk, wheat pasta, meat pies, macaroni cheese or pizza, to name just a few common dietary staples.
These foods are difficult to digest and we simply lack the energy and digestive strength to break them down.
Here’s why
Apart from being exhausting, grief triggers a massiv...
Want to see the rest of this article?
Would you like to see the rest of this article and all the other benefits that Issues Online can provide with?
- Useful related articles
- Video and multimedia references
- Statistical information and reference material
- Glossary of terms
- Key Facts and figures
- Related assignments
- Resource material and websites
