hi all-

i really need to gain weight and am having great difficulty. Im on a very strict and regimented diet now and had to cut out A LOT of stuff....no dairy, soy, eggs, gluten, vinegar, mustard, ginger, nuts.

Ive been trying to eat as frequently as possible but it doesnt seem to help pack the pounds. everyone is telling me i look thin and i get very insecure when i feel this way.

Im also about to take a job that will require a lot of travel and eating on the road is very challenging.

Is there anything i can do to gain weight? right now im 146-148 and in 2000 i was 160. id like to get to at least 155 but it just seems impossible.

my doc suggested rice protein but it upset my stomach and there really isnt enought protein in their anyway.


Thanks so much!

J

Hello!
I experienced the same problem of gaining weight after being diagnosed. The thing that helped me most was avacados. It's rich in food value and healthy fat. I ate corn tortilla chips and guacamole non-stop after diagnosis. It helped me to steadily gain the weight back. Hope this helps!

thanks! i thought about that actually- my main concern is that i will develop new food allergies if i eat too much of something. how many avocados do u eat a day?

you can use the rice protein (or hemp protein, which has more fat) in a smoothie made with coconut milk (which also has more fat) and fruit, for a very calorie and nutrient dense breakfast.

avocados along with almost anything is going to be a good thing - mix it with tuna and eat with corn tortillas for a snack, for instance.

nuts if you can have them, seeds on salads, etc.

I am 5'2 and after going Dairy & Soy free (After being Gluten free for 3 months) I was 120 I am down to 108 as of this morning. I eat HUGE amounts of food and I still seem to be losing weight. I exercize every day to keep my muscle mass do you work out? Small weights might be good for you to build some mass.

Anyways I don't eat gluten, vinegar, dairy and soy, or mustard seed. You said you don't eat nuts huh...

well I have this recipe for organic olive oil mayonnaise and if you have a blender you can make it!


Makes 1 1/2 cups
1 organic egg, room temp
1/4 teaspoon salt ( I use kosher)
1 1/4 cups olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
(you can add garlic if you wish)

Process egg, garlic, salt and 1/4 cup olive oil in blender or food processor at low speed for 1 minute.
While blender is running, ass 1/2 cup more olive oil, then alternate to lemon juice, then the remaining olive oil. Process until creamy and thick.

This is really yummy!

Sometimes I add dill, or basil, or wasabi, depending on my mood.

Dang I just noticed you can't have eggs... I am sorry!

Does anyone have excessive hunger? I am very thin and since diagnosis - 2months ago, I have a large appetite.
I have only gained 2 pounds and am doing well eating gluten free. Does anyone else have this problem?
I am also having hair loss again despite normal nutritional values.

Please help

Thanks

Barb

hey jasonD2

i put tahini on toast whenever i want to have a snack, and i have it every morning for breakfast. it can be a little bitter, so put a layer of honey on as well. the oil from the sesame seed is high in (healthy) fat.

hi Barbara A

sorry to hear you're not feeling well. maybe you have a stomach virus of sorts? mabe not, but it might be something u might want to consider if you're feeling excessively hungry

Jason,

When I was pregnant I was highly sensitive to several things. But I had to gain weight for me and the baby, so I ate lots of baked potatoes. They're not bad microwaved just with salt, or you can buy non-dairy butter (check your local health food store) and seem to fend off that "I'm starving" sensation. Also, I craved steak. Gets a little pricey, but you could also do beans for protein.

Homemade mexican food would be easy for you. Ground meat, can of 'Ranch Style' seasoned pinto beans from Trappey's (seems to me to be gluten-free and already has chili powder and spices in the can), some corn chips or tortillas and you're in business.

These boards are great for advice, but I really think you need a real live person to talk to and evaluate your diet/lifestyle.

Actually, I think you should contact your local Celiac support group chapter and talk to one of the older-diagnosed members. They are a wealth of information. An older Celiac man I met claimed that Janet, the leader of the Houston group, saved his life because he had no idea what he was doing. He was getting "hidden gluten" from all kinds of sources.

Also, a good dietician recommended through your doctor or health food store would be able to help you. Make sure they know what they're doing though. It looks like you could really benefit from some one-on-one counseling with someone to go over your sensitivities and likes/dislikes to get a workable plan for you. Ask them questions about gluten intolerance to make sure they really understand it before you take their advice.

(I don't suppose you're in the Houston area? They have a great health food store on the northeast side called the Natural Kitchen, and have lots of Celiac support.)

As for the weight gain, it will come naturally as your body heals. But I really think you need to find yourself a local "Celiac buddy!" Anybody who's been through it will be willing to help you out.

Good luck!
~Heather