Trying to gain the weight back.

Sorry, I've asked this question before over the years, but it seems those flares really clear the memory, eating seems like one of the last things I want to do while being sick? 

I need calorie dense food suggestions.  My biggest eating hurdle with crohn's is that I often do not have an appetite, I can't eat much in quantity, , so would like some foods that I don't have to eat much of, yet will provide high calories, so I don't lose weight.   Can you put weight on with smoothies?

Also, last summer, I was literally stuffing myself on Junk, and the pound or two took forever to show up.  I also started weight lifting at the same time, and wasn't making any progress.   Not to mention after a while, I was too fatigued to lift the weights?    After getting advice, I was told I should not be exercising at the same time I was trying to put weight on, because it expends a lot of needed energy.  Also I needed to double up my calories, or more (groan)

Apparently the caloiries that are taken in, first go to cellular repair,  and for providing  oxygen to the body.    At first, very little is left over to go to weight gain because the body is too busy using the energy trying to repair the damage done, not only by the disease process but also by omitting food and nutrients?   With increased calories, weight finally does show up in most people, but can take weeks or months. 

While not everyone with crohn's will lose a lot of weight and have to go to this extreme,  some do.  I'm one of them.  I did not lose a lot of weight suddenly, I lost it gradually, mostly with major continuous flares, until it started to eat into my FAT STORES, then it became a real challenge for me to replace the weight I was losing.   It takes forever it seems. I can't lose anymore. 

Any way, anyone have any good tasting fast calorie foods, I would appreciate you passing them on.  I'm even into Junk food, afterall a pound from junk food is better than no pound at all, well, it is for me?  Oh, by the way, I'm open to protein and healthy foods as well.  Thanks guys.

I know your frustration!! Some past flares I had a hard time with weight gain and now after my last surgery I couldn't eat much at one time and my metabolism after surgery was crazy. I was told I needed anywhere from 500-1000 extra calories.

Things that helped me were eating healthy fat and protein with every meal and eating about every 2-3 hours since I didn't eat much at one time. Examples of what I ate are sourdough toast with peanut butter but would butter my toast first to increase calories. Sometimes I would mix plain gelatin into my peanut butter for extra protein. I eat a lot of whole milk dairy. Plain whole milk yogurt with avocados and bananas. Also I read eating a snack before bed after 8 pm helps with weight gain. I would eat a full fat cheese stick or a glass of whole milk before bed. I really like hummus so I would scoop some out and drizzle extra olive oil over it for more healthy ft and calories.

While I do try to watch my sugar intake I did let myself indulge a little, but only on calorie dense treats like whole milk ice cream and pudding. If you check some of the higher quality ice creams at the grocery store they can be quite caloric. My fave ice creams 400 calories for just a half a cup. Also found a chocolate pudding made with whole milk and cream that was quite caloric for just a small serving.

My GI Dr told me to carry a snack with protein and fat with me in my purse because it was important to eat every couple hours.

Thank you skifigal2k, I will check out slim fast product? I'm not familiar with them as I never had to use them, always had a fast metabolism? Is it a meal or like a Boost or Ensure? (those I don't do well on). I will look into it, thank you.

Cupcakespinkgal, thank you for all the great ideas, I am lactose intolerant, but found they now make a real good tasting icecream that is lactose free, so that satisifies my icecream craving.

HabsHockeyFan, thanks for the Banana smoothie recipe. I am allergic to bananas, but read it's the seeds that most people are allergic to, so I now remove the center core with the little black seeds and I'm okay, I don't get the stomach pain from them like I did before. Think instead of the Ensure, I will blend in some chocolate syrup into lactose Free milk, a banana and a tablespoon of protein.

Bought 3, 1 kg jars of peanut butter the other day.
Right now, I'm on prednisone and will only be on it for another 3 weeks or so, so it's a race, I've got a temporary appetite, minus some of the inflammation, so it's probably a good time to get those calories in while I can, I hope to get some of this stuff down me and hopefully have it stick? Do you think I will be able to eat 3 jars of PB by that time? Well, will be lucky if even one jar disappears. Wish me luck for a few extra pounds.

Thanks, I never tried baby food bananas, but guess I can buy a little jar and try a tsp or so to see if it goes down okay without pain or discomfort. I wonder if they strain the little seeds out? I've eaten baby foods before when my CD was really giving me trouble. I really like the strained Beef and vegetables, but add salt because it's so bland.

Thanks, I'll check it out the next time I go to the store.

Thanks, my doctor already has me tapering down, and I noticed that with the last lowering of dose, my appetite went down slightly, but I still have more appetite left than before I was on prednisone. I will have to taper down more in about 8 days. I really forgot that food could be so enjoyable and I've been eating close to normal portions, before I couldn't do that, I was lucky if I could get half in, and so it may soon return to that, that is why I'm preparing myself to get ideas for calorie dense foods ahead of time, since I am a slow gainer.