Morning Nausea, Lack of Appetite

[DanielleG]

I'm always hearing about how important breakfast is, but I can never have breakfast because I could never stomach it. I don't feel like I'm going to throw up, I just feel sick to my stomach, especially at the thought of food. I've been trying to force myself to drink orange juice, but I can never finish the entire glass. Is this normal? Can I make any changes in my eating habits to prevent this?

[star queen]

The inability to drink orange juice makes me suspect you may have a gastric reflux problem.  The rule of thumb is that if the stomach produces too little acid, then drinking an acidic drink such as OJ, lemon juice or vinegar will make you feel better because it brings up the low acid in the stomach.  If the stomach makes too much acid, the OJ, etc.  will give you indigestion, stomach pain or nausea because it brings the acid up to an even higher level.  Try eating something a little bland like oatmeal or cream of wheat for breakfast with a glass of low fat milk or fruit juice instead of OJ. Stay away from the sugary cerals and the packaged breakfast foods.  Either way, see the doc about acid reflux and/or to make sure you don't have an ulser or some other problem.

[dlmck]

My daughter cannot think about eating breakfast without feeling sick as well.  I know 2 other females between the ages of 15 and 41 who have the same problem.   Please address the issue of the feeling of nausea when thinking about eating in the morning rather than acid reflux.. Could it be because the gag reflex is much more sensitive in the morning?  I've tried to make healthy breakfast shakes, but just the thought of swallowing anything in the morning makes them gag.  Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[allmymarbles]

I have never thought that orange juice was appropriate for breakfast. Orange juice on an empty stomach. Ugh! Try having the sort of breakfast Italians or Spanieards eat. A bit of starch (a roll or toast) and a cup of coffee or tea. I do fine on that, and have for 80 years. I am not ready for a meal so early in the day; my stomach says no. Only Americans and northern Europeans can manage it.