What do you store/grow that can be used when feeling "too sick to eat?"

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Historical_Course587@reddit

Tea and bullion. It's also worth noting what kinds of local flora can be used for tea (e.g. nettles and pine needles make excellent vitamin-packed tea).

Tea/broth --> plant-based soups and juices --> solid foods.

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I always have at least one case of liquid meal replacement on hand and chilled. I use the Equate from Wmart. I've had issues with my health and some days I get so hungry that thinking about food literally makes me nauseated. Makes no sense and I've tried to explain to my docs. Anyway, when I feel like I really need to get something down, one of those gets me feeling much better and seems to wake up my system.

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Intrepid-Sky8123@reddit

I've learned to always have at least some soup in the pantry. One winter, I sprained my knee from slipping on black ice. I had to take 5 Aleve just to hobble to bed and put my leg up on a pillow. If I had not had cream of mushroom soup in my pantry, I wouldn't have eaten that day, because everything else was manual ingredients for standing and chopping.

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gadget767@reddit

You’re lucky you didn’t break something! I would suggest you get some ice spikes that slip on over your shoes (Amazon).

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Intrepid-Sky8123@reddit

Here’s the thing with black ice. You can’t actually see it. If you don’t know it’s there, how do you know to put on cleats? I will just use a treadmill next time.

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gadget767@reddit

That’s a good point, and I know full well about black ice. I guess under conditions where you should expect any kind of ice, they would be good to have handy.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I currently have 20-20 soups in my pantry right now

I'm gluten free and veg so I love to buy Amy's Kitchen and/or Pacific soups on sale...

I can find them occasionally at grocery outlet so I stock up when they are 3$ or less...

I'm disabled so I find soups or vegetarian chili (Amy's Kitchen sale) to be lifesavers all year round.

I put mine over rice (I use instant or use a small rice cooker) or microwaved potatoes, yams or sweet potatoes

What are your favorite kinds of canned soup...?

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Intrepid-Sky8123@reddit

I look for ones high in protein. I'm trying to avoid red meat due to family health history, but will buy chicken. I look for the cheaper ones also. Have bought the Amy's black bean, also the lentil one, those are tasty. Gardein is ok but not as inexpensive.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

Amys lentil soup and black bean soup are amazing on rice or potatoes

I like to add potato chip crumbs on the lentils and also add extra salt...

I like to put tortilla chip crumbs on the black bean soup

I save all the small broken bits of chips and use as "croutons" on top of soups, stews or chilis

Amys lentil vegetable soup is pretty good. I'll eat that for variety but I prefer the black bean.

Amys golden lentil is amazing over potatoes and has 13 grams protein per can

And even though it has less protein, 7 grams per can, I really love Amy's quinoa /kale /red lentil soup

My absolute favorites of Amy's (low protein though) are the mushroom bisque and the coconut curry one, both amazing over a cup of rice

I use grocery outlet as a way to try new varietys, and try it asap, so I can go back for more

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Intrepid-Sky8123@reddit

Diabetes runs on my mon’s side, so I have to limit my regular potatoes and white rice. But thanks for the idea, maybe someone else can use it.

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ShellsFeathersFur@reddit

I live alone. When I get sick, my go to hot food is to use potato flakes and hot water to make potato soup, adding some salt and butter. It's filling and easy to make.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I love instant mashed potatoes....

I'm disabled, and I'm not able to physically peel lots of potatoes and don't have enough energy or strength to cook anymore....

To make potato soup, do you just add extra boiling water to make it really thin?

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gadget767@reddit

My go-to when sick is chicken noodle soup over instant mashed potatoes. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s so good!

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premar16@reddit

I recently made a soup with cream of potato (canned), idaho potato flakes, frozen potato o brien. I am also disabled so I had to keep things simple

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ShellsFeathersFur@reddit

Yup, that's exactly it - add water until it's the thickness you'd like. I bought a Keurig specifically so I could have piping hot water at the press of a button and that's what I use to make my potato soup. On days when I don't have butter in the fridge, I'll add some vegetable oil to the soup just to make it a little more filling.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

The coffee maker sound genius!

I currently have a water kettle I use to make miso broth, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, oatmeal, instant grits and instant potatoes

I do the oil trick too 😎

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premar16@reddit

I have a huge box of potato flakes I got on sale. I need to figure out how to use them. I did use them to thicken a soup I made recently.

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Calicojerk@reddit

Instant pho noodle bowls are my favorite

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LucyB823@reddit

Gelatin? Crackers. Dried chicken noodle soup.

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joshak3@reddit

Hot soup is a classic food for anyone feeling sick, so I stock a large assortment of canned soups (because they require no effort to prepare and because I like them), as well as many containers of bouillon that I can use with dried goods like barley and split peas to make homemade soup.

I also keep plenty of crushed red pepper and garlic to go with the bouillon because I like drinking spicy broth when I'm sick.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

What kind of crushed red pepper...???

Like the packets you get at the pizza places?

That's a good idea to add garlic...

I love garlic salt, I sprinkle it on most of my food

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MOadeo@reddit (OP)

Hey that's an idea. Any time ordering pizza, extra red pepper packets for keeping. Unsure if they have "a best used by," concern.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

My brother orders us pizza every time he visits and I always tell him to get the Parmesan cheese and the red pepper in the packets

I solved the "best buy" problem by putting in a baggie with the year written in sharpie on it... So in January I will start a new 2026 baggie but make sure to use the 2025 baggie up before I start on 2026...

Anytime my mom visits she also gets takeout, usually panda express, so I keep the sauces in baggies ....

The baggies of random condiments come in handy when traveling or on picnics and I do try to use them when I eat my prepared or microwave foods....

My mom lives in senior housing and gets a form of meals on wheels, and she always gives me the condiments she doesn't use, since she knows I am frugal and hate wasting food.

The little honeys are great for guests or when I am sick.

The little peanut butters are amazing snack with cut up apples to dip.

And the packets of salad dressings are great for guests

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MOadeo@reddit (OP)

Oh heck yeah. I always ask for chop sticks or extra utensils for take out. I have. A dedicated drawer in the kitchen just for them.

A local university serves food to anyone, not just students. They are the last local place that just has condiments out in the open. Everyone else requires you to ask for condiments and then gives 3 packs. So I grab a handful if we eat at the uni. Great for camping trip too.

Thanks for the baggie idea and saying it.

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TacTurtle@reddit

If you can find it, Flying Goose Extra Garlic Sriracha is excellent for adding more garlic flavor with a bit of spice. It is much more garlicky and slightly sweeter than Huy Fong sriracha without quite as much heat.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I will look for that, thank you for the recommendation 🙂

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joshak3@reddit

Yes, it's the same kind, though I buy it in five-ounce containers because I use it a lot.

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Lazy_Departure7970@reddit

Swanson has a "spicy" chicken broth and a "spicy" beef broth available in boxes. I haven't tried them yet, but that might be an idea.

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SonsOfValhallaGaming@reddit

Honey.

Helps with sore throats, anti fungal, antibacterial, antiviral, has probiotics, can be mixed with garlic, cloves and onion in a salve to treat wounds, burns, exzema, rashes and stings, as well as consumed to provide a big boost to metabolism and immune response. Honey never goes bad. It's the best survival food, sick or healthy, and can be a permanent sugar supplement. Research getting a beehive for yourself. It's amazingly worth it.

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Slothrop75@reddit

Applesause and mashed sweet potatoes. I can them myself from the garden, but store-bought versions work. They're soft, easy to swallow and provide calories and vitamins!

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RyanTrav7@reddit

Canned peaches. The soft fruit and sweet liquid are usually a win. I also keep plain instant mashed potatoes on hand. Just add hot water, and requires zero chewing.

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Mean-Advertising7098@reddit

Oatmeal, broth and applesauce are my go-tos for sore throats. Easy to store gentle to eat, and still give some energy. Herbal teas with honey also help soothe and hydrate.

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ladymorgahnna@reddit

Be sure they are gargling salt water everyday at least. Chloraseptic Sore Throat Sprat is also helpful.

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scssypants@reddit

Pho broth and throat coat tea 😌

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TacTurtle@reddit

Home made smoked and canned salmon (lazy way to make sandwich spread like tuna salad, or chowder), homemade soup with veggies, peppers, and mushrooms.

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deeridoodle@reddit

I make and freeze homemade broth that can be sipped! If I’m feeling okay enough, I can add an egg to make it egg drop soup adjacent. If you’re wanting a full prepper version of this, getting a quality bullion powder and veggie powder would also work!

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TheSensiblePrepper@reddit

If you don't want to make your own, then this brand is the best/cleanest broth I have found. Like the label says, it is good enough to drink.

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peanutleaks@reddit

THE BESSSST ONE! Get the concentrate!!!!

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Drawsblanket@reddit

What veg powder you recommend?

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deeridoodle@reddit

Honestly anything that doesn’t contain citrus! Most green mixes comes with a full day

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craydow@reddit

Built broth packets -powdered bone broth without as much crap as normal bouillon and more nutrients

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MOadeo@reddit (OP)

Today powder bouillon does seem to have a lot of unnecessary additives

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craydow@reddit

Especially if you are in the US. We have the worst standards with additives and stuff

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Personal_Flow2994@reddit

I'd add some ginger in there too, good for the body, helps with cold and flu

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Large-Union7143@reddit

Or garlic. Also easy to grow and good immune boosting properties.

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Kind_Fox820@reddit

Ginger, peppermint, bone broth, jello, rice, applesauce, and soups.

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ComplaintOk807@reddit

You just got me to google throat coat tea. How would you describe the taste?!

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Kind_Fox820@reddit

It's kind of licorice tasting, but it has this numbing affect that is really soothing for a sore throat and for calming a cough. I just load up my mug with honey and lemon to make it more palatable.

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BasicCelery9089@reddit

Be careful with licorice - it can have heart effects - please look it up before using!

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ComplaintOk807@reddit

I might check it out then. Yes, u hate licorice and most teas in general but I get realllly bad sore throats when I get sick. If it makes the throat feel better then I guess overload with honey and lemon, like you said.

I’ve tried the throat sprays but it really only lasts a few seconds for me.

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MOadeo@reddit (OP)

I think it's easier for your body to get used to the throat spray or there is a smaller concentration being applied to the area

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ltrozanovette@reddit

My go to for sore throats is a small can of pineapple juice (they have cans that are just the juice you can drink straight out of like a soda) to help dissolve the mucous, then throat coat tea with a ton of honey in it. Works really well!

As a nurse, I also keep a very well stocked medicine cabinet.

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Kind_Fox820@reddit

Good to know, thanks!

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Spiley_spile@reddit

Oh, a high protein bone broth is a great idea! I just said "chicken broth" in mine, but your idea would be even better.

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premar16@reddit

I am disabled and have moments where I cannot eat. In my pantry I have rice, broth, soup, meal replacement shakes, ramen like noodles, ginger ale, crackers, mashed potatoes in my freezer or mashed potato flakes , pho or miso soup mix, oatmeal, smoothies (I have frozen fruits in my freezer stocked up) sometimes I mix them with the meal replacement to make the smoothie. Hot teas and drinks

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LizDances@reddit

I have stomach problems which sometimes make eating solids impossible. I store high-protein Ensure and quarts of puréed soup. I have a serious sweet tooth... but living on *only Ensure" for periods at a time has opened my eyes to the joy of having a break with a savory soup 🥰

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I try to drink a prepared protein shake or make a protein smoothie in the blender every few days....

I'm working on getting more consistent, but cleaning the blender zaps my energy...

Do you ever put the ensure in a blender with other food, like bananas and/or ice cream....?

What flavors do you like the best?

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LizDances@reddit

Literally yes that: an Ensure plus a frozen banana. Very yummy 😊

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DJSpawn1@reddit

Honey.... beecome a backyard beekeeper.

Honey can give oodles of nutrition to a sick person

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alcohall183@reddit

Ginger anything. Rice. Chicken stock. If you bake, make crackers and bread, add ginger to help. Mint! Mint is good for the stomach.

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OutlanderMom@reddit

I make beef, rabbit and chicken bone broths, simmered for hours, strained, and pressure canned in pint jars. The collagen in the broth coats the throat and stomach lining when someone is sick. It’s nutritious and easy to digest.

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Difficult_Wind6425@reddit

home made bone broth! Freeze it for up to 6 months. Just save your bones over time in the freezer then when you have enough to fill a crockpot make it and store it. Don't really need any veg at all, we just use a little minced garlic salt and pepper and it's so good.

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Gullible-Cow9166@reddit

Chicken broth is a well known pick me up, what we were always given as kids when we felt crap (hundreds of years ago :>)

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Gullible-Cow9166@reddit

Got lots of home canned pea and ham soup, thick/tasty/nutritious, warms the soul

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andrewa101@reddit

My little one won’t touch solid food when sick, but warm broth or porridge usually works, I even toss in some homemade soup cubes to add flavor and make it easier for them to eat.

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Trifecta_life@reddit

For sore throats, custard powder mixed to a drinkable consistency. Easy to swallow, coats and smooths the throat. A good option in colder weather, too. Not so much prepping, but an option I don’t see suggested very often (came from an English relative).

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XilodonZ@reddit

Great question. I keep honey, broth, and herbal teas on hand. From the garden I got mint and chamomile which help a lot when throats hurt or appetite's low.

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Spiley_spile@reddit

Meal shakes. Pedialite pops. Chicken broth. Chicken noodle soup. The noodles are very soft. Can remove the chicken chunks if needed. The chicken in Chicken and Stars soup is in very tiny pieces. Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken, etc style soups.

Also various pureed soups.

Apple sauce is also good.

I hope your kiddos feel better soon.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I forgot to add meal shakes/prepared protein drinks to my list ...

I also keep some in the pan and some in the fridge...

Which kind do you like?

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Spiley_spile@reddit

It's a great thing to have on hand! I ended up getting a shingles outbreak in my mouth of all places. Meal shakes were the only thing I coukd drink for a week or more. I was miswrable and the migraines were prohibitice of leaving the house. Thanks to prepping, I had it handled.

Nutriant Green has some great flavors. I gave my supply of those to a friend in need a year or two ago.

All I have on hand now is mainly just protein powder.

I personally like the Dymatize 100 micellar casein protein. The chocolate peanut butter tastes similar reeses peanut butter cups. It's great! The cookies and cream is good too. Experiment with how much water you use. People seem to differ a lot of whether they like it thicker or thinner.

I want to try the Dymatize fruity pebbles flavor. Everyone Ive talked to gives that flavor high marks. But, Im still going through the 2 huge cannisters of the two other flavors.

Dymatize also has whey protein isolate. Unfortunately, it metabolizes too quickly for me and dumps my blood sugar. (Ive hypoglycemia.)

There was an article recently about someone testing lead levels in 10-20 or so different protein shakes and powders. I was relieved to see Dymatize on the list that they didnt find high lead levels in. Some of the other kinds I like were unfortunately on the bad list though. Including the Atkins I have in the pantry. 😭

Oh! I also have some Gold Standard strawberry flavor on hand for an upcoming surgery. Its more meal-shake if I recall. Tastes good. Not as good as the Muscle Milk strawberry. (Muscle Milk was on the high lead list, very disappointing.) I'll ned to check if Gold Standard is or not. I cant recall. I need to get more if it got good test scores.

Which kind do you like?

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I'm a gluten free vegetarian who is also a couponer/,rebate...

I have been getting good deals on PIRQ plant based shakes at Sprouts Farmers Market and on SLATE protein coffee at Target, Safeway or Sprouts Farmers Market...

They both taste really good...

I was getting low on oat milk so I used half a PIRQ shake in my cereal. Next time I will use 1/3 shake and add a bit of boiled water to thin it out. It was good. Extra protein in my protein cheerios....

When I have energy and time, I make a protein smoothie with milk, protein powder, 1 or 2 bananas and sometimes pumpkin pie spice, or cocoa or peanut butter.

If I want a smoothie with strawberry or other fruit I use iced tea (I make a strong tea and dilute with water to have about a cup of liquid), protein powder, and 1 or 2 bananas.

I never use ice, since i don't need it, and I hate ice, it hurts my teeth.

Protein powder I buy on sale or clearance or through rebate programs. If I can't find any plant based ones cheap at sprouts or grocery outlet, I will buy the trader Joe's plant based one (it's in the section with vitamins, and it's considered a supplement and not a food)

I have gotten the plain peanut butter powder at WinCo and grocery outlet sometimes. PB FIT or PB2.

They seem to last longer since almost all of the oil is removed. It's easier to add to smoothies or use in baking, less mess.

A jar of PB2 is 24 ounce and about 13$ at target currently but each container is 52 servings with 6 gram of protein.

What stores do you buy your favorite powders?

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Spiley_spile@reddit

make a protein smoothie with milk, protein powder, 1 or 2 bananas and sometimes pumpkin pie spice, or cocoa or peanut butter.

This sounds delicious 🤤

Like you, I buy when I have money and find the sales. I means I end up trying various brands to try to save money.

One of my two, big, canisters of D100 I got for free. The one I bought on sale was missing the scoop. I emailed the company and asked if they would send me just a replacement scoop. They sent me a hundred dollars worth of protein powder instead! I was floored, and grateful.

So Ive been set for a while. I dont use the stuff daily. Just when my fatigue is too high to be able to manage more. Or when Ive exercised particularly hard and want to offer my body some help with repair. Once I need another big canister, Im going to aim for another D100. Between liking their stuff and their generosity, they generated some customer loyalty when Im able to afford it.

Ill keep my out for some PIRQ sales too in the future. Youve got me interested to try it!

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

That's so amazing they just sent you so much!!! 😎

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Spiley_spile@reddit

Right??!

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InterviewThick2660@reddit

Warm liquid Jello is my go to when I can't face anything else

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Rayvens3cubsnmore@reddit

However, I make a fermented garlic & honey that is so good for you and so yummy!

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Rayvens3cubsnmore@reddit

Due to health issues, my daughter survived a whole year on almost nothing but Mississippi Mud Cake. I mean...it had eggs and milk and oils and stuff. Better than nothing! And the tasty factor helped override the nausea and lack of interest, and it would melt in her mouth so she didnt have to chew much or struggle to swallow.

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Available-Page-2738@reddit

No sarcasm intended, but if you're THAT sick, most of the time, the best thing is to go with it. Be sick. Languish in bed for a few days. I would recommend alcohol, warm, mixed in with something like broth. Drink a cup of what is, basically, something like three double-scotches in a chicken soup base, and get some deep rest.

If it's something much much worse, where nutrition has got to be kept up over a long recuperative period, I would still recommend something with alcohol (or some plant-based sedative) to provide overall analgesic relieve, and then just keep feeding them rich broths.

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audiojanet@reddit

Matzo ball soup

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alessaria@reddit

I have all the components of a nice chicken noodle soup freeze dried and mylar packaged into crockpot quantities.

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OBotB@reddit

My son had so kindly shared something earlier in the year that resulted in a horrible sore/raw throat, the best thing we found that dulled the pain of it was small sipping on Prime drinks (the hydration ones, not the caffeinated/energy drink ones).

They are horribly sickeningly sweet from the sucralose, but were lower in sugar (6 carbs 1g sugar per 16oz bottle) than just "plain" coconut water at Costco (10 carbs, 7g sugar per 8fl oz serving) or the Vita Coco (11 carbs, 10g sugar per serving) and with the amount of time sipping I didn't want either of us just bathing teeth in sugar all day. Hot things were not good, soft cold other things like apple sauce were not helping, but those, somehow did wonders for the throat and encouraged fluids and salts/electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, and sodium).

Would I purchase it at full price? No. Only purchased because it was such a good sale (less than a dollar per bottle, figured it would be good for heavy yard work days not having tasted them before). Only ventured to try it for this because of the sugar concern and that it was about the only non-carbonated thing (sparkling waters and sugar free sparkling ice - so painful on a raw throat) we had other than water/milk (which also didn't help).

So, as a just in case they were good, I'm sure the regular but higher sugar coconut water would also have been good. Having resealable cartons/bottles makes it easier to encourage consumption and keeping it nearby without having to worry about spilling. The coconut water options are usually shelf stable for a couple years before they are opened.

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ariannavb@reddit

Applesauce in glass jars.

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MOadeo@reddit (OP)

Yes! However, I gotta be careful. Some have citrus in it as preservative. That can be bothersome sometimes.

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Little-Carpenter4443@reddit

honey, aloe, chamomile

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MOadeo@reddit (OP)

Aloe huh? Like already processed or just grow it?

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stabbingrabbit@reddit

Gargle warm salt water.

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PrisonerV@reddit

Horrible sore throat is a classic sign of strep throat and antibiotics can clear that up in like 24 hours. I'd suggest a doctors visit.

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Emergent-Sea@reddit

Also a sign of the current Covid strain making the rounds. It is rough out there.

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shesaysImdone@reddit

Akamu/ogi/pap

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I don't know what those are...

How do you prepare those?

And what stores do you buy them from....?

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Cold-Call-8374@reddit

Honest answer... ramen. It's what I eat when I'm flu/cold/general congestion sick normally. Hot salty broth plus stomach settling noodles. Adding some Sriracha to clear sinuses (which I also stock. There are a number of hot sauces that are in my deep pantry.) and it's the perfect sick food.

I'm also growing mint and ginger to make tea for settling upset tummies. And I'm stocking some electrolyte mix. I also have learned to make crackers from scratch and have plenty of flour stocked along with rice and applesauce which is the usual menu for someone getting over a stomach bug.

And I'm stocking caffeine sources as I have migraines and caffeine is very helpful.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

How are you growing ginger???

Could I plant some in a deep pot?

I have to move around often, so I can't have a normal garden

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Cold-Call-8374@reddit

I'm using this method.

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hudsoncress@reddit

Oats and yogurts

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I love both oats and yogurts!!

I'm disabled and can no longer cook for myself beyond boiling water or microwave my food...

So instant foods are a lifesaver for me, all the time...

What are your fav ways to make oats?

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SubredditObama@reddit

Bang's Rootbeer for sure

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I love root beer!!! 🙂

What is about root beer that you have it for sick times....?

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silasmoeckel@reddit

Dent corn is made into grits.

Bullion

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I love grits!!!

I forgot to add it to my list....

I add lots of salt and pepper to mine and when I start to feel better I start making mine sweet with sugar and pumpkin pie spice 🙂

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MadeOfMoonCheese@reddit

I love broth and rice. Broth is probably the easiest for me when I don't want to eat. You could start with bullion or miso packets.

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

I buy miso paste in the tubs, I always have 2 flavors in the fridge. I'm gluten free and haven't found a shelf stable dry packet that is gluten free and without msg and yeast extracts.

What brand of miso packets do you buy and what store?

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onredditgonnareadit@reddit

Currently not able to grow anything...

But I keep saltines, ginger ale, lemon lime soda, instant rice, sliced bread in the freezer, cereal, shelf stable soy or almond milk, Gatorade, Powerade, popsicles, instant mashed potatoes, frozen bananas, protein powder to make banana shakes, ice cream, canned soups....

Lots and lots of various kinds of tea...

I also keep 2 tubs of miso paste in the fridge at all times to make quick miso broth to drink....

boil water, pour in coffee cup, add 1 big scoop of miso paste with fork, whisk/stir with fork until it dissolves, wait a bit for it to cool, then drink it

I have a pretty good supply of first aid supplies and I always keep a good supply of generic Imodium and generic Pepto bismol (stomach issues)

I also keep a good supply of various generic Tylenol, Advil, naproxen, caffeine+pain pills (headaches), generic allergy

I also keep generic Pedialyte, berri lyte, and and Pedialyte all the time,

If I use one or 2, I get more next time I go to the store.

I'm disabled and don't have friend or family near enough to help me when I'm sick so I make sure I also have these items for when I get sick....

Any time I use any of these items, I replace asap....

I have multiple health problems and disabilities and actually have stomach problems often, so I actually use the generic Pedialyte every few months as needed to help with that.

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destiny_carry@reddit

Congee. Dissolve a small amount of rice in chicken stock.

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ky420@reddit

Tomatoes and tomato soup.

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booksandrats@reddit

*Too injured. I had a bad bike injury last November. All I had the energy to eat was crackers, pb and cheese. I'm glad I had lots of tylenol, advil and bottles of water on hand.

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Background-Pin-1307@reddit

Homemade broth from a mix of chicken and veggies. Homemade tomato sauce from my garden tomatoes for easy spaghetti nights. Homemade soups, frozen in individual containers for easy thawing & cooking on nights when I don’t have the energy to cook.

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Dadd_io@reddit

Maybe Jello?

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FlobyToberson85@reddit

My mom would make us hot Jello when we were sick. A nice cup of orange was really soothing on the throat and gave us a few nutrients. It sounds weird, but trust me.

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lilithabunni@reddit

it has never occurred to me to consume warm liquid jello. i guess its like a sweet version of a bone broth with all the collagen. they both turn to a jelly lol

very cool idea and i will try this next time one of us are sick!

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Charming_Spinach_362@reddit

I just used the eyeball method. what looks thin enough to drink and add extra hydration, but not gonna coagulate before I finish it that day

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MOadeo@reddit (OP)

Oh! Lol. I thought your eyeball method was to eat eye balls.

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lilithabunni@reddit

hmm interesting, very cool to hear a new idea like this! thank you!

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FlobyToberson85@reddit

I think just followed directions, maybe boiled all of the water instead of just half of it.

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DarkSkyStar@reddit

Also excellent for morning sickness

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Charming_Spinach_362@reddit

This!! Me, too

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Cold-Call-8374@reddit

Oooh that's a good one. I've been stocking instant pudding since I also have a good amount of canned milk, but jello is a good call... both for illness and for joy.

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MadeOfMoonCheese@reddit

This is a good one!

I feel like jello cups would be easier to keep than powder because you'll have to have access to both hot water and refrigeration if you make jello.

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iPineapple@reddit

On the flip side, jello powder should last for a very very long time. The cups probably need to be swapped out yearly, if I had to guess. A generator should solve the hot water and refrigeration if you’re concerned about power loss.

The cups are definitely easier when sick, no doubt. Just depends on your overall priorities!

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RiffRaff028@reddit

Chicken broth. Ramen flavor packets - noodles + hot water is all you need for that. Temporary, measure, obviously, but it will work for what you're describing.

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Achnback@reddit

First, have them gargle warm salt water, that will help a lot with the sore throat. It is old school, but dang sure does work. Chicken and rice soup or chicken noodle, heck any soup for that matter. And patience...

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Charming_Spinach_362@reddit

something occurred to me recently, how many kids have learned to gargle??? I'm a great grandparent and had previously taken this for granted.

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Itchyfingers10@reddit

I've never thought about kids and gargling - it's a valid question.

When my kids were young and had to take baby aspirin, I encouraged them to practice swallowing them so that they would be able to take bigger pills - the ones you don't want to chew or have dissolve in your mouth.

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craydow@reddit

Bone broth packets from built.com

Also some built bars from there. If kids are too sick to eat, the fact that it tastes like a candy bar might make them smile enough to eat it. But for some throats, and just trying to get nutrients in.. they have a REALLY good bone broth packet that is shelf stable and dry that you mix with water. Its called built broth.

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MamaBella@reddit

Bone broth.

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Soff10@reddit

Bone broth, ice cream, jello.

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SunLillyFairy@reddit

When me/my kids are sick, my usual go to is soup, so... Chicken stock/bullion, canned chicken, rice. Freeze dried veggies like carrots go good in a cold soup, and fresh garden garlic helps colds. I was recently sick and made a curry with canned coconut milk and dehydrated potatoes that was amazing, but maybe not a kid pick.

Also applesauce, oats, mashed potatoes, ground meat (I store in my freezer).

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smsff2@reddit

I used to grow mint - it’s great in tea.
As for storage, honey has an unlimited shelf life.
Tea with lemon and honey is excellent when you’re sick.

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jimk12345@reddit

Chicken stock, rice, ginger, dill. Add some olive oil to help coat the throat and help feel full and add/remove the rice as tolerated.

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heyhowdyheymeallday@reddit

Lots of recommendations for broth- this is my take. Stock basic veggie broth for the lightest touch. Protein broth for more substance. Veggies that blend into broth are good to keep. For example, mirepoix blend is handy every day but it’s really handy boiled in broth and then hit with an emulsion blender when you are working back up to real meals. As tolerated you can add rice, less blended veggies, pasta, or quick dumplings (fresh egg noodles you didn’t dry all the way puff up nicely in broth). Homemade quick breads are soft and easy to store ingredients for.

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Professional-Can1385@reddit

My go to is beef broth or chicken soup. I always have canned broth on hand.

If something sweet is more palatable, then I add protein powder to chocolate milk or a thin fruit smoothie.

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Sherri42@reddit

Chicken broth, hydration freezer pops, peppermint tea, honey, chicken noodle/rice/stars soup, jello.

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Placebored59@reddit

Jello, sherbet, homemade popsicle from juice or kool-aid. Knox blocks, look up recipe, fun and cool and keep kids hydrated.

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456name789@reddit

👀 Spaghettios & Campbells chicken noodle soup. Tell no one. 😳

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Shoddy-Ingenuity7056@reddit

Verners brand and only verners brand ginger ale. This is a constant deep pantry prep for us.

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OxDriverKuroku@reddit

Instant miso soup packets are a staple in our house, as well as ochazuke packets. They last for years, taste great, and are easy to whip up. We go through quite a bit of it thanks to public schooling

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zrad603@reddit

Do a search for "Caldo Verde" AKA "Portugese Kale Soup"

There are a whole bunch of variants. Some are basically just kale and potato, but some have meat, and kidney beans, and noodles, etc.

But Kale is super nutritious and depending on how you make the soup, you can basically just drink it.

and it's surprisingly delicious. (it doesn't look that good though)

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DreamSoarer@reddit

Variety of herbs/spices for health (dry herbs, teas, tinctures)

Bone broth

Bullion cubes to add to water for instant broth

Grains (think gruel as a step up from broth as the patient improves)