Eating with Hyperemesis - Go-To Goodies

Being pregnant with HG, in addition to meds, I need to always have a little nibble within arm's reach, just in case.

Here's what I am and am not eating these days.  If it helps just one person find something to eat, I'll be satisfied.

GOOD STUFF

• Saltine/Soda crackers, with salt
• Steamed rice, with salt
• Plain, instant mashed potato flakes prepared with water and/or skim milk. No butter/margarine!  Season to taste.  They're not as nutritious as 'real' potatoes, but they stay down better.
• Cream of Wheat made with water and a bit of salt. It's a good source of iron and seriously, surprisingly awesome when just resuming solids!
• Cream of Wheat 'pudding' - Mash up a quarter to a third of a banana. Mix in with cooking liquid or just stir into prepared Cream of Wheat.  Eat warm or chilled.
• Cooked and cooled frozen peas (salt optional)
• String beans, boiled or steamed
• Apple slices with cinnamon - NOT cinnamon sugar
• Frozen grapes - Regular grapes are okay too, but I have to be careful not to eat too fast. Frozen is soothing and helps me to eat more slowly, reducing the odds of sugar overload.
• Watermelon
• Most lower acid fruits are okay. Oranges and grapefruits, not so much.
• 0% Plain Greek yogurt mixed with unsweetened applesauce. Dash of cinnamon, optional.
• Kraft singles.  I don't know why these are okay, but they are and I'll take what I can get!

RISKY STUFF

• Nuts and seeds. They're too high in fat.
• Cheese. Ditto.
• Most any other crackers since they contain sugar.
• A whole banana. It sits too heavy and sweet.
• Citrus fruits
• Pineapple. Very acidic and high in sucrose. I can manage maybe a bite or two amid other fruits.
• Cookies - sugar
• Granola bars - sugar
• Anything with tomato sauce.
• Anything with mayo.
• Anything with ketchup/prepared mustard/relish, etc.
• Anything full fat.
• Anything garlic.
• Anything onion.

WHEN GOOD GOES BAD

Honestly, it's nearly impossible to tell when something will switch from safe to heartburn and nausea inducing, so if I find myself hit with a little bit of heartburn, here's my trick:

• Go get a bottle of Bragg's Apple Cider. (I don't usually care about brands, but this one smells and tastes totally different to me.)
• Shake the bottle really well.
• Open the bottle and waft it towards your nose.  If the smell makes you recoil, step away and try again later. BUT! If it smells good, like a very tart apple cider, put a tiny bit in a shot glass. Add a splash of cool water to help smooth it out.
• Take a test sip.
• If you didn't just run to make an offering to the porcelain throne, shoot 'er back!

It's counter-intuitive and I could break out more technical terminology, but the basic idea is this: sometimes, with all those lovely hormones running through you, relaxing everything, your stomach's valve doesn't always "close up" completely, so some stomach acid sloshes out and up, giving that tell-tale burn.  A hit of sharp acid - like vinegar - jolts the valve, triggering it to shut tight, ending the flow of acid, and soothing the burn. Voila! Relief! For a while anyway.

(Standard disclaimers apply. I'm not a doctor or medical professional. This has been my experience. I only provide anecdotal evidence. Your mileage may vary.)

Sure, it isn't the best diet, but it's a darn sight better than saltines and ginger tea exclusively!  I'm still trying to incorporate more protein sources.  Eggs are a coin toss item - sometimes they're fine, sometimes not.  I suspect tofu will be okay.

Also, aside from the fruit, you'll notice a lot of the items can, ahem, clog the works.  Staying hydrated while getting the necessary calories is crucial, but also a challenge. This is where 100% fruit juice can be your friend.  I like 1 part apple juice (bonus points for low-acid) to 2 parts water. 

Trying to manage a good amount of fruit without getting too much sugar and leaving food-free gaps to consume liquid are both very important!  It's a tricky balance to strike - one I'm still trying to find.

What about you?  Pregnancy, chemotherapy, anyone who has had to deal with chronic nausea and/or vomiting to some degree for whatever reason! What nibbles got you through the worst of things?  What foods do you miss the most?