Dear Lesley: How do I gain weight?

I’m delighted you’ve chosen to include dietary changes collaboratively with your clinical care and prescription treatment. To gain weight, you must fill in some gaps. You need to eat more than what you are currently. Integrate more fresh, whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains into your diet. Increasing consumption of whole foods will supply fiber to the body, thereby supporting your digestive function. Eat a mixture of high-quality macronutrients (fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates) to support weight gain. An example of an easy adjustment you can make to foods you are already eating is to add an egg and half an avocado to your rice and beans creating a more nutritionally balanced meal. Planning your menu/meals in advance may be a good practice to start.

Another fact to consider is how you can replenish the nutrients you are no longer getting from the foods you have eliminated. Since removing red meat, soy, and dairy has helped your flare-ups, find nutritionally beneficial alternatives. Some protein and vitamin b12 containing foods include eggs, fish, fortified foods, leafy greens, legumes, some mushrooms, certain plant-based foods, and poultry. Dairy alternatives you may want to try are coconut and oat milk and coconut yogurt. Read nutrition labels and compare the nutritional content to make sure the product will supply the nutrients you are looking to replenish and/or increase. Consider adding an organic, plant-based, protein powder to smoothies and/or drinking organic, plant-based shakes. There are companies that provide high-quality nutrition versions of these items that do not contain dairy, soy, or sweeteners. Be mindful that adding protein powder and drinking shakes are forms of supplementation and should not be viewed as substitutions. Supplementing can be instrumental but is not a substitute for adequate nutrition.  

Though you have found foods that you can eat comfortably, it is important to remember the significance of nutritional value. If fear of flare-ups and/or pain are causing you to avoid eating, please think about talking to a professional. Along with professional advice, you may also benefit from an individualized meal plan to help guide you on what to eat, how much to eat, and for how long to implement increased calorie intake. A well-designed individualized meal plan will take into consideration your preferences, lifestyle, level of activity, and goals, along with any medications you are taking. Hope this information is helpful. Be encouraged.

*****UPDATE*****

Dear Lesley,

I am just messaging you to thank you because my doctor deemed me good to go down on my medication today. [November 23,2022]

Your doctor reduced/adjusted your medication because of the nutritional changes you’ve made?

OMG yes!!! Thank you! She agreed that the changes I’ve made with my diet and some exercise stabilized my condition. So, she took it down.

That is what’s up! I am so happy for you. Now I have to update my post so people can see that it is possible to improve your health/condition by making dietary changes and remaining consistent. It may take a while, but it IS  possible.

Yes! It’s been a long time coming, but it was definitely worth it. Thank you!