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Stephanie_Q
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| Posted: Feb 04 2008 at 2:16pm | IP Logged
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...just some advice. I have a hard time keeping on weight. I just lost 10 more pounds in one day following a stomach bug and I feel terrible. I'm 25 pounds underweight and I haven't weighed so little since I was in about 6th grade. I barely gain 25 pounds with each pregnancy and lose more than that while nursing. I'm really struggling with how to put on healthy weight. There doesn't seem to be a health problem causing this and my doctor's advice has been to just eat more, but I don't just want to load up on empty calories (particularly white sugar, white flour). So, I need some ideas for healthy foods and drinks that are high in calories BUT easy on the budget. Thanks!
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: Feb 04 2008 at 2:27pm | IP Logged
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I had this problem for years... not anymore, though. 
Can you snack on homemade trailmix? I make my own using a variety of nuts and dried fruit (buy in bulk at Sam's and then chop fruit and mix at home). Yogurt or Kefir might be a good snack option too, and you could add some Grapenuts-type cereal (we buy an organic variety) to sprinkle on top.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Feb 04 2008 at 2:36pm | IP Logged
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Buy full fat version of everything you buy.. that doesn't usually change the cost..
Also, you might want to plan in snacks.. so you don't just plan 3 meals.. but 3 meals and 2 snacks.. That way you're not just trying to grab something.. or forgetting.
Not sure what else to suggest, since I don't really know what sort of meals you make.
But you probably really need to "block out" the idea that "low fat is best" or "low calorie is best" types of propaganda. And you do hear it alot in many places.. from the ladies at an after church social saying she can't have a donut because of her diet (or because it's so fatty) - usually when you've just picked up a nice super sweet gooey covered with frosting yummy donut  - or the grocery store with all the containers proclaiming how wonderful that they're low-fat or "no added fat" or things like that.
Whole grain carbs are usually good for you and can help you get more calories in. Look for breads that are whole grain.. oh I love the 3 seed ones?? they have sunflower seeds and such in them.. higher calories there.
Raw nuts are good for you (rather than the roasted salted nuts that qualify as junk food)
dairy products.. cheese for instance.. yogurt (get the low fat rather than no fat versions.. sometimes though you can find full fat) cottage cheese with fruit makes a great snack too.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Lori B
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| Posted: Feb 04 2008 at 3:51pm | IP Logged
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My husband and two of my dc have the same problem. A diet too heavy in fibre can be a culprit (not enough 'sticking to your ribs'). The nutritionist we saw years ago suggested full-fat everything, lots of other proteins (nuts, meats, beans, etc.), and 'good' carbs (whole grains, raw sugar, brown rice, whole wheat pasta).
JodieLyn's suggestion of planning snacks works too. We look at snacks as mini meals, really, and try to balance them (a fruit/veg, protein and grain). Hubby also has leftover supper for lunch the next day, so he gets quite substantial meals. He was never actually underweight, just teetering on the edge- now he's exactly average (according to the doc, not me  ), and the two dc are still slim, but no longer skeletal, and full of energy 
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Stephanie_Q
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| Posted: Feb 05 2008 at 12:25pm | IP Logged
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cathhomeschool wrote:
| I had this problem for years... not anymore, though. |
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It's encouraging to read this... Thanks for the ideas...I always avoid all "diet" and "lowfat/nonfat" versions of food. The only fats I really try to avoid are trans-fats. We have scheduled morning and afternoon snacks, usually a fruit/grain in the morning and a vegetable/grain in the afternoon). I'm going to look into getting some raw nuts and whole grain carbs. I'm also going to take a look at just how much fiber we're eating...
One more question following the suggestion to "make your own trail mix", does anyone have experience with / a good recipe for energy bars? It's got to be more cost effective to make rather than buy those. Maybe someone with an older son or daughter (or husband) active in sports...?
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dd 6.02, dd 8.03, ds 3.05, ds 12.06 at Catholic school.
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Feb 05 2008 at 12:54pm | IP Logged
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Coconut oil is a healthy, fatty oil. If you can find a local farmer who makes their own lard without stabilizers (trans fat) that could be an option as well.
I also like Lara Bars, and I found a recipe for them http://bunnyfoot.blogspot.com/2006/02/homemade-lara-type-bar s.html
They are super easy to put together, and they are really yummy! So, rather than having the trail mix loose, its all mushed together. I typically use dates, raisins, cashews, and coconut.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Feb 05 2008 at 1:46pm | IP Logged
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hmmm these aren't an "energy bar" per say.. but they have a lot of the elements of one.. they're softer.. and not terribly expensive to make..
I usually double these and make them thicker in a slightly bigger pan.. and cool longer. Poking with your finger to see if it bounces back usually works.
Oatmeal Bars
1/2 c oil
1/2 c applesauce
1/2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 t cinnamon
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking pwd
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
3 c. oats
1 c raisins (optional)
mix together and spread in a greased 9x11 cake pan. bake at 350 for 20 min.
or
1/2 c oil
1/2 c apple sauce
1/2 c honey
1 t vanilla
2 t cinnamon
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking pwd
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
3 c. oats
1 c raisins (optional)
mix together and spread in a greased 9x11 cake pan. bake at 350 for 20 min
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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mama251ders
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| Posted: Feb 05 2008 at 2:06pm | IP Logged
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Here's a recipe for a homemade smoothie Nourishing Traditions style that is always well recieved and keeps tummies full (even mine!)
1 quart full fat plain yogurt
2 raw eggs (washed well)
4 TBS coconut oil
1 quart strawberries or other fruit as desired
1/3 cup honey
Blend in a blender until well mixed, pour into a glass, drink, enjoy! This can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days, but it never really lasts that long.
I drank this while I was nursing and pregnant and I felt like it was a great source of nutrition and healthy fats.
BTW - have you had your thyroid checked? Hyperthyroid can cause unexplained weight loss. I know you said there doesn't seem to be a medical solution, but I know that many docs can overlook thyroid issues (I happen to know a few )
Blessing,
Betsie
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Feb 05 2008 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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That's a good point Betsie, even if it's not overlooked.. the basic test that most use (the cheapest test) also is not the most accurate test.
What's more accurate would be to take your basal body temp for a while and see where the numbers are landing. High temps overall even with the normal variation may show hyperthyroid and low temps over all with the normal variation may be hypothyroid.
I have a friend who really researched this and she told me that the blood tests were actually based on the basal body temps.. they diagnosed with the basal temps and symptoms and then used the blood test readings from those to establish the levels for the blood tests.. so really the basal temps would be more accurate and cheaper
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Feb 05 2008 at 3:14pm | IP Logged
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Stephanie, I don't know how old you are, but for me, this problem is begining to change with age. Up until I was about 28 or so, I weighed as much or LESS than I did in highschool. (about 110 lbs.) I would gain a healthy amount during pregnancy, sometimes up to 50lbs. and have huge babies, then lose every ounce and then some by 8 weeks post partum. I after my last three babies, I've kept a few pounds on. After having Mark 5 months ago, I've actually kept 10 pounds on. This worried me at first, because it was so different, even though I didn't do anything different. (I'm 32)
I don't know if this is any help to you, just sharing my experience and that it took nothing more than time to change it! :)
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 9:45am | IP Logged
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Thank you for posting this Stephanie. I have had this problem most of my life; I have my dad's tall and thin body type. On one hand people always want to suggest that I'm anorexic, and then they want to scoff when I tell them I have a hard time gaining weight even if I want to do so.
This problem always really hits home when I am pregnant. I usually gain about 20 to 25 pounds, but it seems like a I always get lectured by my doctor or midwife. They always really want me to gain 30, because they figure I start out underweight. Plus, I always carry right in the front, and any weight I gain just makes me look healthy rather than pregnant. (I must admit it is rather annoying when I'm 26 weeks and have gone up three panty sizes, and everyone still says I don't look pregnant.
 ) I always lose my pregnancy weight fast, too; I joke that the kids suck it out of me, literally.
I have realized, though, that a big part of my problem is stress. My healthiest non-pregnant weight was during college, when I was away from family stress but wasn't completely financially responsible for myself. After college, my weight plummeted again (with some help from a horrible job). When I am severely stressed, I get diarrhea and migraines with vomiting. When I am slightly mentally stressed, by the basic ups and downs of life, I just lose my appetite.
Physical stress holds me back from gaining weight, too. The physical stress of keeping up with the kids and the housework burns a lot of calories. When doctors ask if I exercise, I tell them I do Amish exercise. So, between my last two midwife visits, I started taking it easier. I try to take a 30-minute break after each hour or super-strenuous activity (like cleaning the shower), sit on the couch, and eat something.
True, the house has been even messier than usual, but I did gain eight pounds this past month. I'm hoping that I can keep this trend up after this baby comes, at least until age slows down my metabolism. Of course, even though, I weigh low I can definitely tell that the weight isn't where it used to be after two babies. Whenever I was not pregnant and gained weight, it used to go to the orchestra and the balcony (to paraphrase "A Chorus Line), but now it just goes to my belly.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: not looking for sympathy...
