weight gain

[jennifer]

Ok, i was diagnosed 4 months ago.
I found this forum the day i was diagnosed.
I immediatley went GF, DF, SOY FREE, EGG FREE AND SUGAR FREE, as suggested.
I have eaten the same 5 things, six times a day, everyday.
I have not cheated nor would i even think about cheating given how miserable i was 4 months ago.
I have not had any nausea (that was my big issue) in 2 months.
Never had any pain, boating, gas etc.
I have one stool every morning which is formed but soft.
My question is, when will i gain weight?
I lost 15 lbs that i couldnt afford to loose.
I look like a lollipop, a stick with a head.
I am grossly unattractive and skeletal.
Does this mean that i am still inflammed and not absorbing anything? Even though i feel good?
I was going to start phase 2 eating but if i am not gaining weight should i hold off?
How long until i am able to put on just 1 lb?
Any suggestions or advise or words of wisdow, i;m feeling discouarged i guess.
Thank you.
jen

[Gabes-Apg]

what supplements are you taking?

so far as weight gain, you have to eat more than you burn calorie wise
are you having multiple meals and snacks? good serves of protein every meal?
what is your meal plan based on ?

how long were you sick before diagnosis and starting the phase one eating plan??
do you have any other health issues?

[jennifer]

Hi Gabes,
i was a healthy and fit, 59 year old with ZERO health issues before diagnosis.
i was diagnosed on Sept 3rd 2020, after an adverse reaction to an antibiotic for an ear infection.
I started the GF DF diet on Sept 11th.
I eat every 2 hours between 7 am and 7 pm.
I eat tons of protein..... chicken turkey and lamb, one of them at every meal with mushy carrots, string beans, rice or potatoe.
The only supplements i take are vit d 5000 iu and ancient minerals mag lotion rubbed on me all day long.
i was diagnosed with prudental neuralgia 2 weeks ago........very very uncortable and i started pelvic floor PT last week.
I dont think that has anything to do with me not putting on any weight?
Gabes, it actually hurts to take a bath because i am rubbing my bones on the ceramic.
Just wonder why when i eat so much that i dont put ion any weight?
I hope you are feeling better from the virus you had, i wrote to you to see if you were ok, but maybe it didnt go through?
Thanks Gabes
jen

[tex]

it actually hurts to take a bath because i am rubbing my bones on the ceramic.

I've been in remission for almost 16 years, but I can still remember that feeling. You're mighty right — that's no fun. You may just need a bit more time, because gluten damage to the intestines heals slowly, and just because you're in remission, does not mean that your intestines are healed. They've started healing, but it takes 2–5 years for the intestines to complete the healing process (in adults — kids can heal in a year or less). Nutrient absorption is limited at first, but it will slowly improve as you heal. How long that will take depends on a number of things, but as Gabes said, one of the issues is the amount of damage you accrued before you started healing. Apparently gluten can cause damage to the intestines faster than they're capable of healing. And we're all different. As Gabes mentioned, you can only gain weight if you're absorbing more calories than you're burning, and more calories = faster weight gain.

Have you actually checked your daily calorie intake? You're almost surely eating a low-calorie diet. Meat and green vegetables are not fattening. There are online services that will allow you to determine your potential calorie intake based on your actual food intake. Your actual calorie intake (absorbed calories) will be less, due to malabsorption. 50 extra calories a day won't add any significant weight. You need two or three thousand extra calories a day (or more), if you want to pack the pounds on. Feedlot operators fatten cattle with grain, and grains are the cheapest, fastest way to fatten humans (assuming that you can tolerate any grains). Rice is the safest grain, for most of us.

I hope this helps.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

I am still fighting the virus
(would be easier / happen quicker if I could take time off work)
cie la vie

mmm I would increase potato/rice servings (ie increase the carb)

[jennifer]

Tex and Gabes.
i am not eating fattening things, you a re right, but diet is so limited at the begining of recovery.
You'd think after 4 months of being so strick, i would have at least gained an ounce??
Geez the wire from my bra hurts because it is poking into bones!!
I guess i have to be a bit more patient.
Gabes, i am sorry you are still fighting this, sending long distance wishes that you feel better very soon, we need you.
Tex, as always , thank you!
Jen

[Gabes-Apg]

Thanks Jennifer
I have 3 more work days and then I have 2 and half weeks off work!

as covid is active again in my state as at yesterday, it will be a very quiet period so there will be lots of rest happening.
My iHerb order of supplements arrived yesterday so i will be doing lots of immune boosting supplements.

be patient, and try not to worry too much

take care
Gabes

[HockeyMom]

I remember being where you are and reading on this board about chips to put weight on. Because I reacted to everything at 2/3 per the Enterolab testing, I ate taro, sweet potato or cassava flour chips daily. I wasn’t eating corn or regular potatoes at that point. It certainly didn’t make my diarrhea any worse! And believe me, I didn’t cheat on anything either because I was too afraid this might kill me...I just made sure the oil listed on the packaging was something I could do. Just my thoughts..

Laine

[jennifer]

Laine,
Thank you so much for reaching out.
I lost so much weight i feel like i will never put it back on.
I will certainly look into this.... never even heard of those chips.
I sure appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you!!!
jen

[carolm]

Hi Jen, it sounds like you can tolerate potatoes. I could too and found Ruffles Naturals/ Lays Naturals to be helpful. I also added extra butter (Earth Balance Soy-free) or olive oil to my foods to add more calories in my diet. And like the others have said- you may need to eat 4-6 meals per day.
I don’t know if you can tolerate coconut milk but you might also look into Coconut Bliss ‘ice cream’. Some good flavors there. The salted-caramel chocolate chip is my favorite and the chocolate is good too. I think you could get some needed calories with this too.

Best wishes,
Carol

[jennifer]

Hi Carol,
Thank you for the suggestions.
I eat every 2 hours and haven't gained one pound, i dont get it?
Yes, I can eat potatoes, where do you find your Ruffles or Lays Naturals, i can't seem to find them in any store?
Also, where do you get yoru Coconut bliss?
Happy New Year and thank you so much
Jen

[HockeyMom]

Terra brand chips are everywhere...most chain grocery stores. They have straight sweet potato chips or blends with other root vegetables. Siete brand chips are taro and they are based out of Austin Texas. They have tortillas also and mostly can be found at like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Natural Grocers, etc. Coconut Bliss brand ice cream is usually available in mainstream grocery stores next to the regular stuff. I’m sure all the chips can be ordered online also.

Laine

[HockeyMom]

Correction...Siete are cassava flour!

[jennifer]

Thank you Laine, I am going to go to Sprouts to look for all of that todaY,
No luck at Walmat of Target.
Hope they have it!!!
jen

[carolm]

Hi Jen, Simply Ruffles and Lays Naturals are in every mainstream grocery store (except Sprouts) plus Target and Walmart. They’ll be in the aisle with all the other chips; some stores have them in the ‘health market’ area because they are just organic potatoes and oil. Even Lays classic potato chips are just potatoes and oil. Simply Ruffles are actually reduced fat, but still gave me extra calories and I thought tasted better. Coconut Bliss is carried by Sprouts and some other mainstream grocers.

Best wishes-
Carol