Adding Protein Or Carbs Better For Gaining Weight?

[sreese68]

I dropped about 14lbs after going gluten-free and discovering that I also can't tolerant dairy or foods with lots of fructose. And brown rice - cuts out most gluten-free processed foods. Actually, I eat few processed foods due to food intolerances. I struggle to maintain the lowest weight I'm comfortable with. If I increase my activity (like on a trip), I lose weight and get too low.

Traveling again this weekend, and I'm wondering if I'm better off packing more protein than I usually eat or more carbs? Protein would be canned chicken or tuna. Carbs would be corn pasta or white rice. I eat a lot of peanut butter already, but I have to limit it due to the sugar in it. I already eat 3 eggs a day, ground beef, huge potato, grits, and more. So I eat 3 large meals plus a snack every day.

I never dreamed my naturally high metabolism would end up being a problem!! It is NOT fun trying to gain weight with a limited diet. I mean, who really wants to eat more corn pasta with olive oil??? Or another baked potato without dairy?

[Gemini]

I dropped about 14lbs after going gluten-free and discovering that I also can't tolerant dairy or foods with lots of fructose. And brown rice - cuts out most gluten-free processed foods. Actually, I eat few processed foods due to food intolerances. I struggle to maintain the lowest weight I'm comfortable with. If I increase my activity (like on a trip), I lose weight and get too low.

Traveling again this weekend, and I'm wondering if I'm better off packing more protein than I usually eat or more carbs? Protein would be canned chicken or tuna. Carbs would be corn pasta or white rice. I eat a lot of peanut butter already, but I have to limit it due to the sugar in it. I already eat 3 eggs a day, ground beef, huge potato, grits, and more. So I eat 3 large meals plus a snack every day.

I never dreamed my naturally high metabolism would end up being a problem!! It is NOT fun trying to gain weight with a limited diet. I mean, who really wants to eat more corn pasta with olive oil??? Or another baked potato without dairy?

I have the same problem...it's tough for me to gain weight. Like you stated, if you eat a mostly whole foods diet, then gaining weight can be very hard. I would stick to a good portion of protein, with each meal, about 18-22 grams but try and eat carbs also because those are the weight gainers. Protein feeds muscle and the carbs are fast energy....but if you don't burn them off,

they will turn to fat. I eat 3 meals a day plus 2-3 snacks. This is what the trainer at the gym told me to do and I can maintain my weight on that regimen. I also do protein shakes but I can tolerate a small amount of dairy. There are dairy free mixes and these work well at adding calories.

Have you had your thyroid tested to make sure you are not hyper? Just to make sure there isn't something else that is making you lose weight or have difficulty maintaining a good weight?

Nuts and hummus are good snacks that are higher in calories. Just graze away with whatever you can. I know it can be a pain to constantly be eating but I guess it's better than gaining 5 pounds when you look at a cookie.

[sreese68]

I have the same problem...it's tough for me to gain weight. Like you stated, if you eat a mostly whole foods diet, then gaining weight can be very hard. I would stick to a good portion of protein, with each meal, about 18-22 grams but try and eat carbs also because those are the weight gainers. Protein feeds muscle and the carbs are fast energy....but if you don't burn them off,

they will turn to fat. I eat 3 meals a day plus 2-3 snacks. This is what the trainer at the gym told me to do and I can maintain my weight on that regimen. I also do protein shakes but I can tolerate a small amount of dairy. There are dairy free mixes and these work well at adding calories.

Have you had your thyroid tested to make sure you are not hyper? Just to make sure there isn't something else that is making you lose weight or have difficulty maintaining a good weight?

Nuts and hummus are good snacks that are higher in calories. Just graze away with whatever you can. I know it can be a pain to constantly be eating but I guess it's better than gaining 5 pounds when you look at a cookie.

Thanks for the input! I got my thyroid tested a few months ago when I was about 4lbs too low after a long overseas trip. It's fine. I had just done way too much on my trip. I keep forgetting about nuts! I have some pecans in the freezer I bought from Nutsonline. Think I'll go much a few before I have a late lunch.

[Gemini]

Thanks for the input! I got my thyroid tested a few months ago when I was about 4lbs too low after a long overseas trip. It's fine. I had just done way too much on my trip. I keep forgetting about nuts! I have some pecans in the freezer I bought from Nutsonline. Think I'll go much a few before I have a late lunch.

I tend to lose weight on trips overseas also. I don't end up eating 3 squares a day because, after all, there is sightseeing to do! I have learned to bring a day pack and it's usually loaded with snacks. However, Europe is pretty gluten-free friendly and now they all seem to have gluten-free brownies in the coffee shops......there's a weight gainer for you! I know it's a whole lot harder with multiple intolerances.