Good Morning Lovelies, 

Losing your sense of taste and smell can be one of the hardest things to ever deal with! Whether it be through a sickness or an unknown cause, the two senses that are probably the two that are vital for many being so low can be heartbreaking. Over the past few months, due to suspected sinus issues, I haven’t been able to taste much and my once very strong sense of smell is now the worst it has ever been. 

Yet during this time, I have found a few things that have really helped me to still be able to enjoy my foods, which have helped me to not go backwards in my eating disorder recovery or that haven’t upset my autism. 

If you are going through something like this too lovelies, I thought I would share some of the things that have helped me, in case they can help you too…

Steam Away: When the medicine stopped working, I felt like I was going to be at a complete loss. However, my doctor advised me to steam as much as possible, especially before a meal, to try and get a bit of movement in my nose. Steam has been a real help in my life and I can often be found with a mug of hot water to put my nose right into to help before eating. It may not do a lot but it does help bring a bit of life to a meal.

Texture Is Your Best Friend: Texture and food with a bit of body and life will become your best friend. From lively vegetables to grainy oats, the feeling of something in your mouth makes eating a whole lot better. As someone who hates runny foods, I have found comfort in soft but strong pieces that have stimulated my taste buds a little by being felt on them. Texture will honestly be your best friend during this lovelies. Even if it is an ice cold lolly or a flowy yogurt.

Try To Not Think: Sometimes, I worry that it is all in my head. I get this feeling like I can taste the foods but my head is telling me I can’t. However, I know that this isn’t actually the case. If you can distract yourself during this tough time then eating and enjoying food can be a lot easier to deal with. I have even managed to imagine the way a food tastes to an enjoyable level because of it lovelies. 

Enjoy The Foods That Stir Something Inside: Whilst I have struggled to try new foods or enjoy a lot of the ones I normally do, I have found that I have gotten a sense of comfort from just enjoying them for the warmth they bring me. This has allowed for me to stay calm in moments when I could freak out about not actually being able to taste them. A warm bowl of porridge with honey has been the real soothing balm meal for me. 

Get Medical Advice: Me and my doctors are quite good friends now, as I am often there with issues from my chronic sinusitis and lung infection. When everything kicked off last year, I was terrified to go to the doctors. I had this fear inside me that they would send me back onto a psychiatric ward for my eating disorder. Yet, they haven’t. Instead, they have been the most helpful and supportive bunch of people I have ever met. Sometimes the fears are worse than the actual reality and if you are putting off going to the doctors for issues such as this and others, I promise you that you don’t have to be. They should and hopefully will help you in any way they can lovelies. 

When you are going through something like this, it can be incredibly hard lovelies. Believe me when I say I know. I have cried. I have stayed up scared stiff that I will never get it back. I have found that I don’t want to eat or try new things because of it. Yet, sometimes, challenging those ways and thoughts can be the biggest blessing. 

These easy steps may seem easy but I know they can be hard to do. However, I hope that they can help you lovelies, as much as they have helped me. Please know that I am here for you no matter what and if you need to have a little laugh just know that I am still the biggest honey fan even through all of this! 

Joey X