Don't hate me...Need to gain a couple of pounds!

ciaranotthesinger · June 2014

Anyone a nutritionist here?

I was told I need to gain a couple of pounds to create a healthy environment for conception

I don't want to eat hamburgers and junk food b/c of course that defeats the purpose of eating healthy. So I was wondering, how to up the calories but still stay eating healthy? There are only so many nuts (almonds, peanut butter) and avocados I can eat (high nutrients, high calories). Fruits and veggies are no good (low calories). I can't eat cheese.

Any other suggestions?

URMySunshine77 · June 2014

I would recommend using a healthy, fatty oil like coconut oil when you cook. Avocados and nuts were my first thoughts, but I would also highly recommend eating tofu products. Can you ingest any milk products? A fertility study found that a serving of whole milk a day (like ice cream) might be good for fertility: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2009/May/Follow-Fertility-Diet

@hooligans4 always has good nutrition advice.

lgsdesigner · June 2014

I am a weightlifter who gained 18lbs in a year (on purpose) so I think I can help you.

1) Go on MyFitnessPal.com and create an account. Under the "goals" tab, tell MyFitnessPal you want to gain a 1/2 lb a week. It will then custom create your expected calorie intake, carb goals, protein goals etc in order to obtain that gain. 2) Eat lots of proteins: chicken, eggs, fish, shrimp, peanut butter, protein shakes. Load up on healthy carbs like: greek yogurt, whole wheat pastas, whole wheat breads, oatmeal, Kashi cereal, granola bars. 3) As long as you up your calories and also EAT BACK your calories if you do exercise, you will be good. Any other questions, PM me!

hooligans4 · June 2014

I agree with @igsdesigner about MyFitPal. You need to balance your calories, protein and fat intake.
I love that app.
Most insurances cover nutritionists, why don't you look into that this way you get first hand knowledge on what you should be eating.
Once you learn the basics you will be fine.
Do not eat crap just to gain weight, do it the healthy right way.

ciaranotthesinger · June 2014

@lgsdesigner

Thanks!!! I don't know if I can eat that much lol, it says I need like 2,000 calories

I will try! High calories, low volume so I don't get full so quickly ...

hooligans4 · June 2014

Have you tried protein shakes? Drink them between meals or with your meal.

lgsdesigner · June 2014

ciaranotthesinger said:

@lgsdesigner

Thanks!!! I don't know if I can eat that much lol, it says I need like 2,000 calories I will try! High calories, low volume so I don't get full so quickly ...

No problem!
Eat every 2-3 hours. 8am 10am 12pm 3pm 5pm 8pm

That will help you get used to getting that many calories.

CaraH · June 2014

I am small to start with and tend to lose weight when sick or stressed, so this is occasionally a problem for me. I once tried the dietician my insurance company sent me to. What a waste of time and co-pay. They first offered me a weight loss class and, once we got that sorted out, I then had an hour long meeting that mostly consisted of 'keep jelly beans on your desk for empty calories' and 'drink sweet drinks instead of water.' Maybe you'd have better luck, but my insurance company was definitely more geared to weight loss.

Below are the things that have worked for me, working on the principle of always look for healthy fuel. Also, that for me its generally about establishing behavior patterns where I eat more often, because I'm really not going to eat more at once.

(1) Yogurt smoothies for breakfast - whole milk, plain yogurt and a variety of fruit blended together to give me a good calorie and protein boost. An over-ripe banana is usually all the sweetener I need, but if I don't have any I use honey.

(2) Keep hard boiled eggs in the fridge and eat them whenever I feel at all ready for a snack. Try to convince my body I want one mid-morning. (Breakfast is not my strong suit. So, if I can get a smoothie and an egg in me, I'm doing awesome.)

(3) Because I live where its hot and tend to drink alot of water, which fills me up, I do try to mix in other drinks. I'm southern, so I typically drink sweet tea with lemon, sugar-filled or not. But, there are lots of healthy options out there.

(4) Keep easy to eat snacks on hand, especially at your desk and in your purse. You can eat a Cliff bar while driving, a pack of raisins while waiting for the doctor, etc. etc. Try to come up with things you don't have to prepare, because you won't eat if you have to make it. But, if its at hand you'll probably grab for it as soon as you feel hungry. My favorites: a full and already washed fruit bowl, cliff bars, trail mix, carrot sticks and individual hummus packs, hard boiled eggs, and dried fruit.

(5) If you're really having trouble, Boost protein shakes. I found the pre-mixed chocolate one wasn't too bad, as long as it was cold. I would drink one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon.

(6) Eat a small snack before bed. (i.e. a few cheese and crackers) But, don't try to pack in alot in the evening. I found that a small bedtime snack makes me more hungry for breakfast in the morning. Eating too much at night, on the other hand, makes me feel bloated and I don't want to eat the entire next day.

(7) Make a peanut butter (and honey, if you like it) sandwich in the morning, and carry it with you. I always ate mine, because I felt guilty bringing it back home and throwing it away.

And, that's all I can think of right now. I'm realizing as I type this out that I used most of these tricks without even thinking about it when I was pregnant and breastfeeding. You'll need to up your calorie intake again then, so it will be good to find what works for you now and have it in your arsenal.

lgsdesigner · June 2014

**Also wanted to add my favorite protein shake-
Go to GNC and buy the GNC brand Banana Crème 100% Whey Protein. Then—blend two scoops in 4oz of water, 4oz of milk. Add in a tablespoon of JIF Natural Low Sodium Peanut Butter, blend and enjoy.
Soooo good! Doesn’t taste chalky, it’s inexpensive, and tastes like a milkshake.

You will get 59g’s of protein & 345 calories.

lcwed · June 2014

You got some great advice. There is nothing wrong with needing to gain weight. In a perfect world I could happily give you some of my leftover baby weight and it would be an instant fix for everyone. Losing and gaining the healthy way really are the best options and are the most meaningful and lasting. Good Luck!

Pintobean39 · June 2014

Come live in my body for a few days I promise you would gain lots of weight :-)

***Children mentioned***

Seriously my boys are very skinny and my oldest is almost 21 and has been struggling to gain weight. He's been trying to do it and remain healthy. His go to is protein shakes. He makes one every morning and adds 2 raw eggs. Personally I couldn't do the raw eggs but he said it's not bad blended with protein powder, yogurt, and mixed fruit. He also eats almonds and fruit all day long as snacks. For dinner he has lean meats or fish with wheat pasta or rice and vegetables. When he started all this he was struggling finding healthy food to eat and still gain weight. He goes to the gym a lot and runs so he's burning calories faster than he can eat them. He said the morning protein shakes have helped a lot. He said he's added another protein shake right before bed minus the eggs so his body will hang onto some of the calories. My youngest that's 15 is even skinnier drinks ensure, it's the one that has 13grams of protein per shake. I use them to make his favorite coffee drinks (caramel frappacinos). I just use decaf coffee. He's still barely 110 at 5'8" but he did put on about 20lbs just by adding ensure to his diet.

meredithcarole · June 2014

You get a lot of calories from carbs. They can be healthy, though. Quinoa, farro, brown rice are all whole grains that have nutritional value, but a cup of each is around 250 calories.

URMySunshine77 · June 2014

lgsdesigner said:

**Also wanted to add my favorite protein shake-
Go to GNC and buy the GNC brand Banana Crème 100% Whey Protein. Then—blend two scoops in 4oz of water, 4oz of milk. Add in a tablespoon of JIF Natural Low Sodium Peanut Butter, blend and enjoy.
Soooo good! Doesn’t taste chalky, it’s inexpensive, and tastes like a milkshake.

You will get 59g’s of protein & 345 calories.

@lgsdesigner: I have been daydreaming about this shake! Do you think this brand of protein would be OK to use while pregnant?

KirstenAlecia · June 2014

I wish I could send you a few of mine!!!!

lgsdesigner · June 2014

URMySunshine77 said:

lgsdesigner said:

**Also wanted to add my favorite protein shake-
Go to GNC and buy the GNC brand Banana Crème 100% Whey Protein. Then—blend two scoops in 4oz of water, 4oz of milk. Add in a tablespoon of JIF Natural Low Sodium Peanut Butter, blend and enjoy.
Soooo good! Doesn’t taste chalky, it’s inexpensive, and tastes like a milkshake.

You will get 59g’s of protein & 345 calories.

@lgsdesigner: I have been daydreaming about this shake! Do you think this brand of protein would be OK to use while pregnant?

Absolutely! It's only 100% Whey protein. There are no additives in it.

ciaranotthesinger · June 2014

Wow! Thanks everyone

@CaraH - the hard boiled eggs is a great idea, I will add that to my regimen, but will need to limit it...don't want to increase my cholesterol

I'm like you, breakfast is not really my thing, I think there is definitely room there to put on more calories.

@lgsdesigner - that shake recipe sounds DELICIOUS. However, my sister (pharmacist) says protein shakes are not good for you (I forget why...preservatives or some sort of chemicals I think).

I am thinking I will eat later at night, then go to bed ... lol.

lgsdesigner · June 2014

@ciaranotthesinger- They aren't all bad for you. The 100% whey protein is only protein. That is what I use. Get it at GNC

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