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Nutrition > Nutrition Forum > Best foods for healthyweight gain
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Q: Best foods for healthyweight gain
asked by: entertheraven on April 2nd, 2009
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I've struggled with a low body weight nearly my entire life. I am, however, by no means anorexic or bulimic.

Here's a quick rundown of my past history of eating habits:

All throughout high school I wouldn't eat until about 3 in the afternoon, then pig out on junk food until dinner. Dinner would usually be my only healthy and substantial meal of the day. I could eat anyone under the table at that point in my life. I graduated high school and my diet changed dramatically. I put on a lot of weight after getting kicked out of my parents house after eating much, much less. Within a few months, I moved back in with my parents after discovering I had mono and some other, unknown illness. For about 8 months, I could barely eat anything (even less than before). Then I started forcing myself to eat healthy whenever I would get any sort of appetite. Slowly but surely I got better and moved out on my own.

And here I am now. In the midst of the recession, my business has dropped down significantly and I find myself without food from time to time. I've gone two separate weeks eating just toast with light butter and water from the tap. Currently I do have food, but it consists mostly of small snacks like peanut butter crackers, quaker chewy granola bars, oatmeal cookies, pringles snack packs, cubed cheese, and toast (whole grain). I'm pretty strange, I also eat croutons with ranch as a snack. The only substantial foods I have are pasta (whole grain), pizza, and tomato soup. I hate vegetables and most fruits. I will not eat fish. And it's rare that I have any sort of appetite for meat. In fact, it's rare that I have any sort of appetite at all. I usually force myself to eat.

I'm a web designer from home, so I usually sit around and work on my computer wearing pajamas. Yesterday a friend of mine invited me out to go clubbing, so I went to go put on some pants OTHER than pj bottoms. I went to put on a pair of my tightest pants only to discover that they were about 4 inches too baggy around my waist. The last time I wore them was about two weeks ago, and they were so tight I could barely bend my knees in them. A size zero. I didn't have any smaller pants except some that a friend had given me and I was planning to take out so that they would fit me. I had notes on each pair of pants that let me know what needed to be done. I tried on the smallest pair of pants (that hadn't even fit me in my freshman year of high school when I was 90 lbs) and they fit perfectly. The note that I had written for the pants two months ago said that I needed to let them out around the waist about 3 inches and that they were a bit tight on my thighs.

I seriously think I've lost about anywhere from 10-20 pounds in the last two weeks. There's no way I'm not close to 100 lbs.

I NEED to gain that weight back. I don't just want to eat junk food either. I want to gain it back HEALTHILY. My problems with this are basically lack of appetite, being hypoglycemic, and not liking very many foods at ALL.

Any suggestions? I have no idea where to begin. By the way, I do take a daily multivitamin since I know that's what the majority of people are going to suggest.
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danielv
replied on April 2nd, 2009
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Well, I can definitely relate to what you are saying. My typical routine is also incredibly sedentary, with most of my day spent in front of a computer.

I have also been underweight most of my life, and can easily go days without eating.

The solution that works best for me is physical activity. I have noticed that my appetite is directly correlated to the amount of physical activity that i get in that day. I now try to move as much as possible, and when it is not possible, I make time for small 15 minute exercises. QiGong and Tai Chi and Yoga are excellent practices that are not very time consuming and can help restore the circulation of energy (and apetite) to your body.

On the weekends I hike out to nature (we are fortunate to have mountains in our backyard). This serves two functions - exercise and mental relaxation. Being nature cleanses the spirit like nothing else.

I did find something you said to be a little concerning - the fact that sometimes you don't have food?

I understand what it is like to not have a stable income, and i have also been through periods where i did not have food available to me. Nevertheless, if you make exercise and health a priority, you will can find ways to keep food around.

BTW - many food chains such as Panera dispose of tons of yummy food every night. I know that some of them have programs which donate the food to people in need. If you are truly on the verge of hunger and cannot find food - you can stop by one of these stores around closing hours and they will hook you up with a giant bag full of fresh goodies!

Anyways, hope that helps.

All my best,
Daniel
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MissThirteen
replied on April 4th, 2009
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I love what Daniel replied with. Take that advice. Make sure you're eating healthy as well, protein can help too. When I was a teenager, I had the fastest metabolism and people would tell me to eat a ton of junk food which is NOT the way to go!

If you can get in touch with a nutritionist or your doctor (best way to go), having them monitor you would be a healthy way to go. The best advice would be to talk to your doctor about your concerns and work out a plan that fits you best.

Best,
Kat
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