Putting ON weight

[Stardust]

I can't be the only one who has problems with this? I have been underweight for years, mainly due to malabsorbtion problems I think. Since Rose was born it's been worse. Breast feeding and running after two kids doesn't help, but if BMI is correct I'm about 10-12kg underweight. That would explain why I'm always so tired and maybe why my period hasn't come back yet (though it was round 2 years with M too from memory). The food restrictions we have no doubt play a large part too. But I look at photos and it really is noticeable in my face, family have been commenting too. I don't have the energy to play with the kids the way I want to. So on the whole it's not great really!

So....how do you put ON weight? I eat heaps, lots of carbs, fair bit of meat, plenty of vegies, fair bit of sugar too (don't have a choice atm). Take supplements...but something is not working obviously.

Anyone been here and managed to fix it?

[mama_bel]

My friend had this issue and it was gluten that caused it. The first 2 months of being gluten-free she gained 5kg. She is rapt when she makes it to 50kg.

I used to be underweight when bf, but it was just not eating enough, for me. I was young and pg and bf and running after toddlers for years without a break, mostly on a fairly strict vego diet. The worst part for me was feeling weak, I had very little strength. I also had blood sugar issues and used to get dizzy and couldn't climb a ladder and things like that.

Once I stopped bf after 12+ years my metabolism back-flipped and I am now a little overweight. I mostly don't mind though, so long as I keep my fitness at a reasonable level.

I hope you find an answer and feel more energetic again soon!

[Nyree]

Get your thyroid checked ;)

[Stardust]

That's a good idea Ny. I will I think.
Bel, I am gluten/dairy and most other things free as well!

[Pinky]

Stardust.. what things are you avoiding? (besides gluten and dairy?)

I have the opposite problem - too much weight.. but I have crazy allergies and bad skin and I know that it all stems from gut problems. I want better digestive health because the immune system's health is directly tied to intestinal health. I hope if I can get my immune system back balanced then my allergies will go away or at least lessen.

anyway just wondering what things you avoid.. I have a whack of them.. but maybe I should be avoiding more.

I'll be watching this post to see how it is going... absorption issues must be a real pain.

[Harmony]

I know some coeliacs don't get better even on a GF diet because the gut is so badly damaged, I read briefly that some undergo steriod treatment, that's not something I'd consider except as an absolute last resort.

Taking probiotics? Tissue salts for digestion?

If malabsorbtion is the issue, eating more isn't really going to help, you've got to find out what's causing the damage. Maybe a consultation with a naturopath who has experience helping people with allergies and intolerances?

I've had to try and gain wait from time to time, I like sour cream :2lol Having no problems now though, I think my body has finally gotten to that age where it no longer forgives holidays or short breaks from exercise :blink

[jodiemiller]

I don't think weight is necessarily a reflection of health. When we lived in the states I weighed consistently 5kg heavier than I do now (or ever did in my life). Partly it was climate, and partly it was diet and lifestyle.

Anyhow, as a fellow greyhound, I feel your pain and will watch this thread.

[lucylu]

I have had absorption issues for years and have finally had some success with chinese herbs. My poo i solid now!!! :hyper

I put on about 5kg in 5 weeks once my gut started working again! Was just used to eating so much in order to keep going. I was never skinny, but always slim... now battling to get my weight going the other way, but it's a better problem for me ;)

I think working on the absorption would be where I would start, rather than finding something else to eat so that you'll put weight on. As Jodie said, weight is not necessarily an indicator of health and I always figured that it can't be good for me to have everything going straight through.

[mama_bel]

Stardust, do you have symptoms like lucylu had?

[Bron]

breastfeeding (once you're past the initial stage) takes very little extra energy (which is why it doesn't help many of us lose weight). If it did, the human race would have starved to death very early on due to lack of food.

I'd investigate the probiotics and other ways of helping heal the gut.

With the BMI, I reckon for some of us it is wrong. I'm very fine boned and so my BMI is lower than the norm. Could this be you as well?

[jodiemiller]

There is some evidence that pro-biotics do nought for some people also. We are all different.

[Stardust]

Bron, that BMI thing is interesting, but when people start commenting on 'are yopu eating properly?' and 'how much weight have you lost?' and when I look in the mirror I can see it, not ideal I think. I've always been 'underweight', as an adult anyway, but this is a little too much for my liking. I am on probiotics and other supps, but the problem there is the same as the food. Most supps have things I react to in them. Same goes for herbs which I would love to be on but can't. I do see a natropath for NAET treatments. We can only go once a week so it is very slow going, but there have been some slight changes.

Pinky, it's a long list. Gluten, dairy, sals, amines and glutamates, nuts (except a very few cashews and almonds), pulses, beans etc. React badly to all of them. I must confess though that I am not as strict as I was, I can't afford to be or I'd starve! I do eat potatoes though probably shouldn't as do react, though not badly. Eat meat out of necessity though don't like it.

Bel, yes, symptoms do sound similar to Lucylu's in the digestive area. My girls are the same.

I guess I was just interested to see if anyone else was the same. And, is it going to do any long term damage? I do eat things I react to simply because the list is so long that if I didn't I'd be left with about two vegies, rice and meat.

[jodiemiller]

I don't normally subscribe to fad foods and 'superfoods' but my aunt, who suffers from Lupus, swore black and blue that glyconutrients saved her life. They are manufactured (so definitely not your natural type of suppliment) to mimic the nutritious sugars found in breastmilk, shiitake mushrooms, and some other 'superfoods' that I can't quite remember now. Might they be worth exploring? They are expensive, as I recall, but able to be mail-ordered from a supplier. Let me do a web search and come back with a link.

[jodiemiller]

http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/content/articles-content.php?heading=Glyconutrients
http://www.glyconutrientsreference.com/
http://www.glyconutrients.net.au/

And some oppositional stuff, for balance:
http://www.raysahelian.com/glyconutrients.html
http://www.glyconutrientsscam.com/

Nyree might know something more about these. Sounds like a valid dietetic science that has been appropriated for profit. In any case, it does sound like something that may have potential benefits for a person with your level of food reactivity. Or it could invite total disaster. I have NO idea - just thought I'd put it out there.

[lucylu]

Hmmm... interesting Jodie. It seems unfortunate that there has been no proper medical trials to substantiate the company's claims... which makes me skeptical

[Nyree]

Nyree might know something more about these.

Sorry - not something I ever learnt about :shrug

[Pinky]

oh the NAET.. I've done some of them egg and sugar mix completed.. but never 'finished' going through everything I'm allergic too because the practitioner got pregnant.. and there is no one else here who does it. it is long and expensive and although the last time she tested me I was okay for eggs.. I still can't eat them without a histamine reaction in my throat.

anyway that is an exhaustive list. I thought mine was bad.. mine is mostly fruit and veggies.. I seem to be okay with all manner of pulses.. nuts are funny.. pine nuts bug me and hazelnuts on and off... but most everything else is fine...

anyway I'm going to look at that superfood Jodie. I just read about another superfood.. forgot the name now.. supposed to boost the immune system (which of course is the root of all allergies) I found a place here in Toronto that sells it or I could order it online... but I'm not sure about Dr. Mercola... he's always talking about all this stuff.. but then he's trying to sell you his better than everyone else's stuff... not sure I can believe the hype.

anyway thanks for the info..

Stardust I hope you find what works for you. Especially if you are low energy.. I was last winter.. so low.. I'm much better now but it was so gradual I didn't notice but now I have more energy I think how low it was before. yikes not good.

I hope you managed to find things that give you that energy you need... big hugs.

[Phoenix]

Oh my Stardust, I haven't really got any info and I haven't been where you are, I didn't want to read and run though. I hope you are able to find a path that works for you and you are able to get more energy soon.

[moo]

What Ny said. Have you had it checked yet?

[Stardust]

No, making appointment for Monday :)

[Harmony]

Ouch, sals and amines :( A friend has just gone failsafe with her daughter, so I've done some sal-free stuff (she can tolerate amines) which was hard enough, I can't imagine that whole list xoxo I hope you are able to find some answers soon!

[Stardust]

Yep, makes life a bit boring! And have to be rather creative in the kitchen, but better than the alternative.