Is there a healthy way I can gain weight?

Artie,

I would shy away from the weightgainer shakes, but you could consider standard protein shakes… maybe just add them in addition to what you are currently able to eat. I think they would help you regain some strength as the protein is important but they are not calorie bombs like the weightgainer shakes are. Optimum Nutrition is a solid brand and it is widely available online or at GNC. Has your doctor offered any suggestion here?

Kevin

Artie,

I would shy away from the weightgainer shakes, but you could consider standard protein shakes… maybe just add them in addition to what you are currently able to eat. I think they would help you regain some strength as the protein is important but they are not calorie bombs like the weightgainer shakes are. Optimum Nutrition is a solid brand and it is widely available online or at GNC. Has your doctor offered any suggestion here?

Kevin

Artie,

I would shy away from the weightgainer shakes, but you could consider standard protein shakes… maybe just add them in addition to what you are currently able to eat. I think they would help you regain some strength as the protein is important but they are not calorie bombs like the weightgainer shakes are. Optimum Nutrition is a solid brand and it is widely available online or at GNC. Has your doctor offered any suggestion here?

Kevin

I work sort of on the periphery of the medical field and most doctors will recommend a nutritional supplement like Ensure, 3 times a day, to their patients who need to gain weight in a healthy way.  There are a few out there besides Ensure, which I personally don't like the taste of.  I think Carnation Instant Breakfast is another one.

I just can't think of any physiological way that a food or beverage could have a direct effect on the circulatory system in the way described by the maker of that high-calorie drink.  I am not sure that claim could have any real basis to it.  Could you ask one of your doctors whether that is even possible?  Maybe print out an ingredient list off the web site and bring it in on one of your visits, so they can look it over themselves.  Because if you could rule that out, that drink might be a great solution for you.

The trick to gaining or losing weight all comes down to how many calories you take in versus burn off.  To gain weight you've got to increase calories. 

So one way to do this is to take in more calorie-dense foods.  The foods that most people stay away from while dieting (pasta, potatoes, nuts, french fries, cake, pizza) would be high in calories and the more you eat of them, the easier to gain weight.  Of course, you don't want to fill your body with junk either, but it might be worth including a few more of these until you are gaining some.  Alternately, you could increase your overall intake of the healthier foods you already eat and possibly add a nutritional supplement like Ensure.  Or all of the above.   But until you are able to manage the diarrhea, it will be difficult to gain weight too, so that will be another angle to consider.  How to get that under control so you are holding onto your calories long enough to absorb them?  Possibly a medication like Imodium?

Good luck, Artie!

I work sort of on the periphery of the medical field and most doctors will recommend a nutritional supplement like Ensure, 3 times a day, to their patients who need to gain weight in a healthy way.  There are a few out there besides Ensure, which I personally don't like the taste of.  I think Carnation Instant Breakfast is another one.

I just can't think of any physiological way that a food or beverage could have a direct effect on the circulatory system in the way described by the maker of that high-calorie drink.  I am not sure that claim could have any real basis to it.  Could you ask one of your doctors whether that is even possible?  Maybe print out an ingredient list off the web site and bring it in on one of your visits, so they can look it over themselves.  Because if you could rule that out, that drink might be a great solution for you.

The trick to gaining or losing weight all comes down to how many calories you take in versus burn off.  To gain weight you've got to increase calories. 

So one way to do this is to take in more calorie-dense foods.  The foods that most people stay away from while dieting (pasta, potatoes, nuts, french fries, cake, pizza) would be high in calories and the more you eat of them, the easier to gain weight.  Of course, you don't want to fill your body with junk either, but it might be worth including a few more of these until you are gaining some.  Alternately, you could increase your overall intake of the healthier foods you already eat and possibly add a nutritional supplement like Ensure.  Or all of the above.   But until you are able to manage the diarrhea, it will be difficult to gain weight too, so that will be another angle to consider.  How to get that under control so you are holding onto your calories long enough to absorb them?  Possibly a medication like Imodium?

Good luck, Artie!

I work sort of on the periphery of the medical field and most doctors will recommend a nutritional supplement like Ensure, 3 times a day, to their patients who need to gain weight in a healthy way.  There are a few out there besides Ensure, which I personally don't like the taste of.  I think Carnation Instant Breakfast is another one.

I just can't think of any physiological way that a food or beverage could have a direct effect on the circulatory system in the way described by the maker of that high-calorie drink.  I am not sure that claim could have any real basis to it.  Could you ask one of your doctors whether that is even possible?  Maybe print out an ingredient list off the web site and bring it in on one of your visits, so they can look it over themselves.  Because if you could rule that out, that drink might be a great solution for you.

The trick to gaining or losing weight all comes down to how many calories you take in versus burn off.  To gain weight you've got to increase calories. 

So one way to do this is to take in more calorie-dense foods.  The foods that most people stay away from while dieting (pasta, potatoes, nuts, french fries, cake, pizza) would be high in calories and the more you eat of them, the easier to gain weight.  Of course, you don't want to fill your body with junk either, but it might be worth including a few more of these until you are gaining some.  Alternately, you could increase your overall intake of the healthier foods you already eat and possibly add a nutritional supplement like Ensure.  Or all of the above.   But until you are able to manage the diarrhea, it will be difficult to gain weight too, so that will be another angle to consider.  How to get that under control so you are holding onto your calories long enough to absorb them?  Possibly a medication like Imodium?

Good luck, Artie!

Nuts have about 1000 calories per cup.  They are low in sugar and I believe a good source of healthy fat and protein.  If you have a blender, making a smoothie with nuts, banana/mango/berries, protein powder, almond or coconut milk would give you a tasty calorie boost that would be easy to digest.  Ensure as others suggested would be good as well

Nuts have about 1000 calories per cup.  They are low in sugar and I believe a good source of healthy fat and protein.  If you have a blender, making a smoothie with nuts, banana/mango/berries, protein powder, almond or coconut milk would give you a tasty calorie boost that would be easy to digest.  Ensure as others suggested would be good as well

Nuts have about 1000 calories per cup.  They are low in sugar and I believe a good source of healthy fat and protein.  If you have a blender, making a smoothie with nuts, banana/mango/berries, protein powder, almond or coconut milk would give you a tasty calorie boost that would be easy to digest.  Ensure as others suggested would be good as well

You could see if any of these recipes appeal:

http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-diseases/hsgrp-cancer/recipes-for-cancer-patients-article.aspx

My dad liked the vanilla ice cream milkshakes, using fortified milk (regular milk with extra powdered milk stirred in for protein and calories).  I also made him the nut butter spread, using organic almond butter– nut butter, honey, powdered milk, water, and vanilla.  Instead of the powdered milk, you could use protein powder if you prefer.

This is a link to tips for increasing protein, or for increasing calories.

http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/Portals/0/Cancer_Nutrition_Tables_and_Recipes.pdf

You could see if any of these recipes appeal:

http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-diseases/hsgrp-cancer/recipes-for-cancer-patients-article.aspx

My dad liked the vanilla ice cream milkshakes, using fortified milk (regular milk with extra powdered milk stirred in for protein and calories).  I also made him the nut butter spread, using organic almond butter– nut butter, honey, powdered milk, water, and vanilla.  Instead of the powdered milk, you could use protein powder if you prefer.

This is a link to tips for increasing protein, or for increasing calories.

http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/Portals/0/Cancer_Nutrition_Tables_and_Recipes.pdf

You could see if any of these recipes appeal:

http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-diseases/hsgrp-cancer/recipes-for-cancer-patients-article.aspx

My dad liked the vanilla ice cream milkshakes, using fortified milk (regular milk with extra powdered milk stirred in for protein and calories).  I also made him the nut butter spread, using organic almond butter– nut butter, honey, powdered milk, water, and vanilla.  Instead of the powdered milk, you could use protein powder if you prefer.

This is a link to tips for increasing protein, or for increasing calories.

http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/Portals/0/Cancer_Nutrition_Tables_and_Recipes.pdf

I would try making shakes with (hormone free) whole milk and nut butter

I would try making shakes with (hormone free) whole milk and nut butter

I would try making shakes with (hormone free) whole milk and nut butter

Hey Artie.  Looks like you have some good and varied advice here. I think a good basic diet is certainly good start. I know for me, when I can't get exercise, I have a decreased appetite. I know exercise is really impossible for you right now in the regular sense….but I've worked with patients who did isometric exercises to help improve strength, muscle function, and overall well being. It can be as simple as clenching and uncleanching…your calf, your thigh, bootie, tummy, forearm and bicep. Just pick a set of muscles, clench, hold, rest, repeat for a certain number of reps and move to the next set. You can be sitting, standing, laying down. Sounds kind of silly, but sometimes it helps! Hang in there! Celeste

Hey Artie.  Looks like you have some good and varied advice here. I think a good basic diet is certainly good start. I know for me, when I can't get exercise, I have a decreased appetite. I know exercise is really impossible for you right now in the regular sense….but I've worked with patients who did isometric exercises to help improve strength, muscle function, and overall well being. It can be as simple as clenching and uncleanching…your calf, your thigh, bootie, tummy, forearm and bicep. Just pick a set of muscles, clench, hold, rest, repeat for a certain number of reps and move to the next set. You can be sitting, standing, laying down. Sounds kind of silly, but sometimes it helps! Hang in there! Celeste

Hey Artie.  Looks like you have some good and varied advice here. I think a good basic diet is certainly good start. I know for me, when I can't get exercise, I have a decreased appetite. I know exercise is really impossible for you right now in the regular sense….but I've worked with patients who did isometric exercises to help improve strength, muscle function, and overall well being. It can be as simple as clenching and uncleanching…your calf, your thigh, bootie, tummy, forearm and bicep. Just pick a set of muscles, clench, hold, rest, repeat for a certain number of reps and move to the next set. You can be sitting, standing, laying down. Sounds kind of silly, but sometimes it helps! Hang in there! Celeste

You can eat all the food you like but if you have faulty protein metabolism which is common in cancer patients then you wont put on weight.

You need to start taking digestive enzymes e.g. porcine pancreatic enzymes and you need to take high doses of them.

I couldnt put on any weight after losing 10kgs and going from 84kgs to 73kgs. In the last three months without changing diet i have put back on 6kgs taking high doses of pancreatic enzymes. I take 60 a day. 10 caps 1 hour before meals and 10 caps in between meals.

You can eat all the food you like but if you have faulty protein metabolism which is common in cancer patients then you wont put on weight.

You need to start taking digestive enzymes e.g. porcine pancreatic enzymes and you need to take high doses of them.

I couldnt put on any weight after losing 10kgs and going from 84kgs to 73kgs. In the last three months without changing diet i have put back on 6kgs taking high doses of pancreatic enzymes. I take 60 a day. 10 caps 1 hour before meals and 10 caps in between meals.

You can eat all the food you like but if you have faulty protein metabolism which is common in cancer patients then you wont put on weight.

You need to start taking digestive enzymes e.g. porcine pancreatic enzymes and you need to take high doses of them.

I couldnt put on any weight after losing 10kgs and going from 84kgs to 73kgs. In the last three months without changing diet i have put back on 6kgs taking high doses of pancreatic enzymes. I take 60 a day. 10 caps 1 hour before meals and 10 caps in between meals.