Weight Loss

[NateJ]

Hello,

I browsed through some of the other threads here but didn't really see anything related to people losing a lot of weight.

I'm not diagnosed yet but just started gluten-free 4 days ago in an attempt to help my health problems.

I have always been underweight and thin.

The last 3-4 years i have actually dropped to 115, my lowest weight since i was a child. I actually weighed

more at 18 around 145-150 then i do now. I'm 5'9" Male.

My question is, has anyone else had this problem? I've had all blood work, scans, exams, etc...

no thyroid problem that i know of, but i assume that would have shown up on blood work.

Just trying to figure out how to put on some weight and keep it on. I eat a pretty healthy diet. don't ever eat out

and still like sweets and meet, etc.. I think if i could put on 10 lbs i would feel a lot better about my symptoms.

Thanks in advance

Nate

[GlutenGladi8or]

Hello,

Just trying to figure out how to put on some weight and keep it on. I eat a pretty healthy diet. don't ever eat out

and still like sweets and meet, etc.. I think if i could put on 10 lbs i would feel a lot better about my symptoms.

Thanks in advance

Nate

Hi Nate:

If you want to put on weight/muscle, I have one word for you: PROTEIN.

Give me an idea as to what you daily consumption of protein looks like (meat, seafood, fish, beans, etc.). Subsequently, I should be able to help you out.

[NateJ]

Hi Nate:

If you want to put on weight/muscle, I have one word for you: PROTEIN.

Give me an idea as to what you daily consumption of protein looks like (meat, seafood, fish, beans, etc.). Subsequently, I should be able to help you out.

That would be awesome if you could help.

Lets see. I've been keeping a food journal for about 2 weeks now. But i can say I drink 1 ensure a day now for about a month.

on top of that I've been eating gluten free protien bars, like tiger milk, lara bars, etc..

i eat meat for dinner every night. usually grilled chicken or pork with either noodles or a potatoe and a vegie

always cooked vegies though. I find it hard to keep raw ones for long. they go bad to quick.

I eat waffles for breakfast or Rice Chex serial usually followed by a banana unless my stomach is a mess that day.

I snack frequently on peanuts, corn chips, and pudding cups.

I just started the gluten free diet about 5 days ago but the only differences so far have been substituting

bread for corn tortillas when i make a sandwich (turkey or ham, organic) and just eating peanut butter off

of a spoon instead of toast. I also backed of dairy the last few days to see if my ab pains would go away, so far no luck with that. but i'm going to stick this out for at least two weeks to see if the ab pain goes away.

thanks for the help.

Nate

[missy'smom]

I second PROTEIN(preferably from meat and eggs)!

It worked for me. Add an egg or some meat to breakfast. If you can manage 3-4 oz. that'd be great. It will help with weight and stabilize blood sugar translating into more lasting energy.

[NateJ]

I second PROTEIN(preferably from meat and eggs)!

It worked for me. Add an egg or some meat to breakfast. If you can manage 3-4 oz. that'd be great. It will help with weight and stabilize blood sugar translating into more lasting energy.

Interesting. i tried an egg for breakfast a few days in a row. but more protein? Can to much protein be bad?

just wondering cause only weighing 115 and having the metabolism of 10 people sometimes changing my diet suddenly or eating something weird causes me instant symptoms.

So humiliating. My 16 yr old daughter weighs only 10 lbs less than me and shes only 5'3"

I got measured for a tux for a wedding and this little scrawny girl says "your the first person i've measured that is smaller than me"

Then she says. i would give anything for your waist. ugh...

[missy'smom]

You sound alot like me!

The diabetes doctor whose advice I follow, had kidney disease and is often asked about increased protein and kidney function. He was actually able to reverse his kidney disease on a low-carb diet and in 99% of cases would say no worries!

If you want to increase meat but are sensitive, do it it consciously step by step to give your body time to adjust. I went from being a semi-vegetarian to eating 4-6 oz. meat per meal, doing it gradually.

[NateJ]

You sound alot like me!

The diabetes doctor whose advice I follow, had kidney disease and is often asked about increased protein and kidney function. He was actually able to reverse his kidney disease on a low-carb diet and in 99% of cases would say no worries!

If you want to increase meat but are sensitive, do it it consciously step by step to give your body time to adjust. I went from being a semi-vegetarian to eating 4-6 oz. meat per meal, doing it gradually.

4-6 oz does not sound like a lot. but i've never been a big eater. I always had that eat to much then end up with nausea problem. Sometimes be sick for 2-3 days. so I try to limit myself to small meals throughout the day. really just snacks, not even meals. Dinner is always the most, then i won't eat anything before bed.

Seems to be helping a lot more with the 'D'.

Its funny though. I'm not an overly active person. I don't really exercise. I play kickball 6 months out of the year and walk a lot during the summer, but i don't think there is any functional reason that i should only weight 115 lbs.

Maybe i should start counting calories. My problem is I just can't force myself to eat if i'm not hungry. I get to a point and have to stop. I know some people can just eat and eat. I have never been able to do that.

[over50]

4-6 oz does not sound like a lot. but i've never been a big eater. I always had that eat to much then end up with nausea problem. Sometimes be sick for 2-3 days. so I try to limit myself to small meals throughout the day. really just snacks, not even meals. Dinner is always the most, then i won't eat anything before bed.

Seems to be helping a lot more with the 'D'.

Its funny though. I'm not an overly active person. I don't really exercise. I play kickball 6 months out of the year and walk a lot during the summer, but i don't think there is any functional reason that i should only weight 115 lbs.

Maybe i should start counting calories. My problem is I just can't force myself to eat if i'm not hungry. I get to a point and have to stop. I know some people can just eat and eat. I have never been able to do that.

over50

I too have been relatively underweight most of my life, though there have been some times when I weighed a little more, but never overweight! Obviously I have been Celiac all my life but didn't know it until last June! Eating small quantities of food is a good idea, couple that with healthy snacks and you should see some improvement.

Issues regarding eating and quantity have come more into focus in the past few months, to the degree that the specialist suggested using a motility drug to empty the stomach faster, this seems to have helped as I am now eating more normal-sized meals and though I rarely feel hungry at least I'm able to eat more normally. As to weight gain, I was 106 lbs in Nov '10 and now in March '11 have gained nearly 6 lbs which feels better. Eating protein is the key as others have stated. My dietician suggested eating two eggs for breakfast + some sort of cereal (rice porridge for me)snacking on bread and p/butter, protein shakes (gluten-free of course), protein bars and protein at each meal. I think it's working! It is really essential to not eat junk food, quality foods are what your body requires. You don't state your age, but if you continue to consume protein you will boost your energy but you really need to be exercising also at least 2-3 times per week. That will help with appetite also.

Good luck.

[NateJ]

over50

I too have been relatively underweight most of my life, though there have been some times when I weighed a little more, but never overweight! Obviously I have been Celiac all my life but didn't know it until last June! Eating small quantities of food is a good idea, couple that with healthy snacks and you should see some improvement.

Issues regarding eating and quantity have come more into focus in the past few months, to the degree that the specialist suggested using a motility drug to empty the stomach faster, this seems to have helped as I am now eating more normal-sized meals and though I rarely feel hungry at least I'm able to eat more normally. As to weight gain, I was 106 lbs in Nov '10 and now in March '11 have gained nearly 6 lbs which feels better. Eating protein is the key as others have stated. My dietician suggested eating two eggs for breakfast + some sort of cereal (rice porridge for me)snacking on bread and p/butter, protein shakes (gluten-free of course), protein bars and protein at each meal. I think it's working! It is really essential to not eat junk food, quality foods are what your body requires. You don't state your age, but if you continue to consume protein you will boost your energy but you really need to be exercising also at least 2-3 times per week. That will help with appetite also.

Good luck.

What is a good gluten free bread? i bought a brand that is just downright nasty. its so dry and really has a horrible taste.

I've been doing all the other things you stated. Sometimes its hard for me to eat first thing in the morning but I can usually have an Ensure then eat about 1 hour later.

[sa1937]

Nate, so far the only brand I buy is Udi's. Have tried at least one really nasty one (it was Ener-G brown rice loaf) and then have been experimenting with baking my own. But I always keep a loaf of Udi's in the freezer when I absolutely must have a sandwich.

[GlutenGladi8or]

over50

Eating protein is the key as others have stated. My dietician suggested eating two eggs for breakfast + some sort of cereal (rice porridge for me)snacking on bread and p/butter, protein shakes (gluten-free of course), protein bars and protein at each meal. I think it's working! It is really essential to not eat junk food, quality foods are what your body requires. You don't state your age, but if you continue to consume protein you will boost your energy but you really need to be exercising also at least 2-3 times per week. That will help with appetite also.

Good luck.

THIS ADVICE IS CONCISE AND RIGHT ON!!! Follow it if you want to put on weight (muscle). The exercise will boost your appetite in a matter of hours. Here are some of my favorite proteins that were not listed below:

- All natural lunch turkey breast (eat it with a knife and fork like a steak). It has single digit fat and packed with protein.

- Low fat or NON fat cottage cheese

- Low fat Greek yogurt (packed with protein and not fat)

- Almonds

- Fat free black beans (Amy's has organic)

- Salmon burgers (gluten-free of course)

- Turkey burgers (frozen)

- Chicken patties (unbreaded)

- Low fat chicken sausages at Sam's or Costco (each link has only 4-5 grams of fat) and you can pan sear them.

- Flank steak (grilled) Eat the leftover cold the next day

- Frozen fish fillets

- Almond butter (limit due to the fat content)

Am I a 100% carnivore? Of course not. Augment the above with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables:

- Apples

- Steamers frozen veggies

- Grapefruit

- Blueberries & Blackberries (anti-oxidants)

- Strawberries

- Broccoli

- Asparagus

- Grilled multi colored peppers

That's just your short list.

I promise, the exercise will get your furnace going and your body will need that protein and produce for fuel!

GlutenGladi8or

[over50]

What is a good gluten free bread? i bought a brand that is just downright nasty. its so dry and really has a horrible taste.

I've been doing all the other things you stated. Sometimes its hard for me to eat first thing in the morning but I can usually have an Ensure then eat about 1 hour later.

over50

Is there a good gluten-free bakery near where you live/work? It should be gluten-free though and not just a bakery that is baking gluten-free there is a big difference.

A good bread? Glutino make good bread, Kinnickinick make some great breads too. Others say that Ude is the best, though I've not tried it yet. Mostly I make my own. Generally most of the frozen breads need to be lightly toasted or micro-waved briefly in order to make them more moist. In any case I freeze the bread I bake, or the bread that I buy from the gluten-free bakery, so that it stays fresh, otherwise it will dry out very rapidly.

Good luck.

[NateJ]

over50

Is there a good gluten-free bakery near where you live/work? It should be gluten-free though and not just a bakery that is baking gluten-free there is a big difference.

A good bread? Glutino make good bread, Kinnickinick make some great breads too. Others say that Ude is the best, though I've not tried it yet. Mostly I make my own. Generally most of the frozen breads need to be lightly toasted or micro-waved briefly in order to make them more moist. In any case I freeze the bread I bake, or the bread that I buy from the gluten-free bakery, so that it stays fresh, otherwise it will dry out very rapidly.

Good luck.

i haven't found one yet. closets thing is trader Joes and they are not anywhere close to me or on the way to anywhere I go.

[IrishHeart]

wow---Gladiator gave you some great tips for protein!!! I followed his advice (even though I hate eating meat for breakfast ) and I feel much better. Too many carbs and not enough protein makes us feel weak.

If you cannot make your own bread (which is what we resorted to because all the other stuff tasted awful)...we do keep UDI's bread in the freezer. Their bagels are good and serve as rolls, too.

If you cannot get UDI's at a local store, it can be purchased online. It's a pain to find a good bread, I know!!

[hockeymomofceliacchild]

I'm glad for this post. My son who is 6 has always been very tall and equally VERY skinny. I have always said he looked malnurished and sickly now that he has been diagnosed with celiac and I have learned so much on this forum I understand why. I have been hoping his new diet will put some meat on his bones. His colour has improved he was always deathly pale but I assumed it was just his skin type being a redhead.

I'm glad to hear we are doing the right thing with his diet he loves eggs and meat. And althought he never liked bread, pizza and crackers he has probably ate more toast in the past month than his entire life! LOL

Thanks for all the advice

[NateJ]

yes, thanks everyone for the advice. I to have the paleness. Even if I stay outside all summer I don't burn or tan. Sunken eye sockets, dark circles. My veins always bulge out, probably because of my weight. Not to mention a slew of other symptoms i have that would probably fill this forum for a month.

I went to a gluten free seminar yesterday and met a Dr. who specializes in auto-immune disorders and nutrition. I'm going to go see him and his team after my biopsy results come back and they are going to test me for all food intolerances. Its only 80 dollars for the consult and testing. I'm pretty excited about finding this. They help with Celica, IBS,IBD, Chrons, and weight loss problems associated with malabsorption.

[thleensd]

Hey there. I'm also trying to gain weight and have learned some things. Some of them anecdotal, some can be backed up by science (although you can find plenty of differing opinions).

-I've run across some research that says loading up on protein doesn't really build muscle the way many think it does. This isn't the article I was looking for, but it touches on it: Open Original Shared Link

-Building muscle mass is indeed the most certain way to gain. But be careful that your exercise doesn't turn aerobic.

-I also suffer from some malabsorption issues, but I'm starting to figure out what foods are better assimilated for me. Just because I eat something doesn't mean I'm absorbing it.

-When I first tried to gain and heal, I found that I was eating meat 4-5 times a day and not feeling any better. Meat is tough for your body to break down. Not to mention, it makes you feel full for quite a while. When I diversified, I started to feel better, liked food more, and could eat more often. But, empty food (like iceberg lettuce salad) are kind of a waste to me. That being said, nutrients are at least as important as calories.

-I'm a big fan of smoothies. Each day I try to drink one fruit smoothie (with things like berries, yogurt, juice) and one veggie and/or green smoothie (carrot, celery, greens, and a banana for some sweet).

-Good fats are important. Avocados and nuts are good. Beans are good. Anything that your body handles well is good.

My two cents.

Good luck!

[NateJ]

Anything that your body handles well is good.

My two cents.

Good luck!

I guess thats it there. My body doesn't handle anything well. or reverse that and say my body is still rejecting something I'm eating. I just haven't figured out what that is yet.

[ali-squidz]

I have lost 15 lbs in 2 months. I understand about you losing weight with the diet. I have been using www.sparkpeople.com. It's free and they have a free app for your phone too. Add your current weight, your goal weight, and your activity level. It will give you goals to shoot for you achieve your desired weight. Im going the other way on the scale but the idea is the same. Monitor what's going in, monitor what's going out.