RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
I am 5'6" and down to 105 lbs. Before lyme, my diet was basically bread and sugar.
I know to eat olive oil, avacado, almond butter, etc. I am still losing weight.
Is there a protein drink or other drink recipe to help me gain? I need something I can do several times a day.
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I drank undenatured whey protein (vanilla Biochem brand) with water and frozen berries. I have also made it with kefir and "Super Seed" fiber blend, which is cinnamon flavored. You have to be careful not to blend it too much or it loses nutritional value.
Can you eat gluten? If so, Ezekiel Bread is healthy. My LLMD recommended it. Today I had an Ezekiel tortilla with olive oil, garlic, organic cheese, leeks, onions, basil, oregano, and hot peppers made like a pizza.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
My LLMD's office gave me a drink called Orgain. You can find it in Whole Foods and a few other stores. It was developed by a Dr. who had cancer. It has 255 calories, organic protein, organic complex carbohydrates, fiber, and a synergetic immune and vitamin blend. It has a blend of veggies and fruits and antioxidants. It comes in vanilla and chocolate. It tastes like a shake and is my treat for the day!
I am thin too, but am gaining weight finally.
Posts: 618 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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t9im
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25489
posted
Careful with protein drinks as most end up not healthy. You have to read what is actually in them.
Bread (carbos) and sujar are also not healthy in the long run as they are converted to fat and help one become diabetic.
-------------------- Tim Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
I use Clearvite. It's a powder to use in liquid as a shake. Tastes good, helps me maintain weight.
Posts: 212 | From San Francisco Bay Area, California | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
Instead of protein drinks, can you try to have eggs in the morning? Cheese or tuna or chicken at lunch? Turkey, beef, fish at dinner? Yogurt or cheese for snacks?
-------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'
---Eleanor Roosevelt Posts: 748 | From somewhere | Registered: May 2010
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
I would worry more about healing the gut & repairing the adrenals.
Those 2 things play a bigger role in malnutrition (weight loss)... than simply upping your calories.
If you suffer from malabsorbtion you could eat 10000 calories and it wouldn't matter.
So maybe get you a digestive enzyme and take it during a meal.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by AlanaSuzanne: Instead of protein drinks, can you try to have eggs in the morning? Cheese or tuna or chicken at lunch? Turkey, beef, fish at dinner? Yogurt or cheese for snacks?
I have read so may conflicting opinions about cheese. I love cheese but have been avoiding it because dairy products cause yeast issues.
Is cheese allowed?
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Do you use (unrefined, virgin/extra virgin) coconut oil?
It is helpful for energy, might help to slow or stop additional weight loss and has beneficial anti-fungal (for that candida) properties, as well as anti-bacterial and anti-viral.
Posts: 56 | From Down Here | Registered: May 2010
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RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by Scrappy: Do you use (unrefined, virgin/extra virgin) coconut oil?
It is helpful for energy, might help to slow or stop additional weight loss and has beneficial anti-fungal (for that candida) properties, as well as anti-bacterial and anti-viral.
Yes, I use Nutiva brand. Thank you for the suggestion though.
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
So what did you do to help your gut and adrenals? I am eating normally again but cannot put any weight back on. I just saw an endocrinologist and my Thyroid levels are now normal (they were hyper before) so he did not prescribe any meds.
Posts: 239 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
I'm sorry that you're going through this (and sorry to hear that others have gone through it too), but at the same time it's kind of comforting to me because I'm dealing with this right now as well.
I'm 99 pounds and I'm 5'7.
I eat a completely allergen free diet, and eat ghee, olive oil, unrefined coconut oil, and seeds.
I can't gain weight either, and have really bad blood sugar issues...so I guess that all points to adrenals. I'm on stuff for adrenals, but I guess it isn't exactly helping right now.
If anyone wants to chat about this, feel free to message me.
How much fat do you severely underweight folks eat at each meal?
posted
The only restriction to my diet right now is no caffeine and no alcohol. I've tried to substitute whole grain and whole wheat products instead of white and have moved from simple sugar snacks to nuts and fresh veggies. I've also cut out the sugar sweetened iced tea/lemonade which would make up a handful of endless calories but not a whole lot. The initial weight loss was in the first 2-3 months from bite to diagnosis when I was struggling to eat. Now I eat my normal diet with the above changes and the weight is not coming back. Was hoping my Thyroid levels were still hyper so some mdication could possibly change my metabolism and help but my levels are normal as of last week which I'm sure the abx and supplements have something to do with.
Posts: 239 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
rmsfnc, my weight was even worse when I was eating gluten. It was causing severe malabsorption. Now that I'm off of gluten and other allergens, my weight has stabilized a little but no matter what I can't gain. You might want to look into going gluten free. There's a number of benefits...digestive health, immune health, neurological health...
Posts: 125 | From U.S. | Registered: Sep 2010
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RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by tickalert: Gut and adrennals are key as canefan17 said. This is probable why your not gaining weight.
I'm also 5'6 and now weigh 113. I used to weigh 100 lbs for a long time due to adrennals and gut issues.
Doing better since I've worked on those two things.
Hi,
Please tell us what you did to work on the gut and adrenals.
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Jennie, A lot of people try a dairy-free diet to see if it helps with symptoms. We did that and it made no difference at all so cheese came back into the diet (yay). Milk didn't....turns out almond vanilla milk is a better alternative...go figure.
So maybe ask your doc if you can eliminate dairy for a few weeks to see if your symptoms improve. If not then maybe cheese is a "yes" in your column.
As for the rest of you skinny gals, let me know where I can drop off my excess 20 lbs for you. You need a few more pounds, I need to lose a few...this can work lol!
-------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'
---Eleanor Roosevelt Posts: 748 | From somewhere | Registered: May 2010
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I have been having problems eating. I am so... noziated that I can't eat. I am losing to much weight.
It is my stomach and adrenals, I think. Last night I made some carrot juice and I was hungry after I drank it and my stomach didn't hurt. I ate food and enjoyed it, not forcing it down like usual. So, I don't know if one glass of fresh carrot juice would do it. I will try it again tonight.
I do understand, it is a roten feeling not to be able to eat.
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