Oddbean new post about login | logout TW: #food, meals, illness Any creative ideas for bland nutritious foods? I need some help diversifying my diet right now with what I’ve got going on health wise… blended soups, soft foods, bland anything is appreciated 💜 many thanks.
@d6c53e4a Things like cheerios are very fortified, some oatmeals too. Rice and eggs (sometimes with peas) is my go-to bland meal. It obviously depends on how it's prepared but maybe some soup with a squash/pumpkin might taste mild enough? Or even squash ravioli with just a tiny bit of butter. Personally big fan of sweet potatoes, they're very easy on my stomach. If you dice it and bake it a little they're pretty nice if you don't want to eat them like regular whole baked potatoes.
@d6c53e4a I enthusiastically recommend congee/okayu (rice porridge) - the white rice is very soothing, and you can change up the broth and toppings for variety. Here's a nice guide to making it: https://whattocooktoday.com/how-to-make-rice-porridge.html
@d6c53e4a lentils, peas, whole grains you could soak (presuming one is not intolerant) like oats, barley, rice, or cornmeal/polenta? Broths can add a little depth depending on what you like and can tolerate. I will make a veg broth from mirepoix, and leave in some of the cooked mushy carrots and celery if I want a bit of tooth. I've found mushrooms can make a good broth as well, and don't really suffer from being cooked a long time (again if one is tolerant).
@d6c53e4a Nothing innovative, but: Can of condensed soup broth + water + dry rice, boil until mushy. sounds awful but no spoons required, very filling and easy to eat. Biobest probiotic yoghurt with all-bran buds and/or chopped fruit if you can handle small soft pieces & you can add honey (if not allergic). Home-made hummus - store brands always have garlic in them even if they say they're "plain". And can't go wrong with a smashed potato.
@d6c53e4a My wife's family has a history of making breads based on fruits and vegetables - I've got lemon blueberry bread in the fridge now, and zucchini bread always disappears fast. The bread format does a great job cutting acidity while still holding in the nutrition. My only other addition would be - it's shockingly easy to add zucchini and/or chickpeas to a wide variety of meals.