HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

suggestions on gaining weight?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/11/2011 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
OK. I have been trying to eat healthier. I've also had somewhat of a sub-par appetite, I was working out consistently (major back issue right now and hoping to get it resolved so I can get back in the gym).

I now look relatively gaunt/skinny. I think a big part is that I have cut out eating "crap."

Basically, I really could use a few pounds (probably 6-8 pounds would be about right).

Any suggestions? I'm starting to have an Ensure Plus, one per day. I don't want to eat unhealthy. So, I'm looking for ideas to increase my calories, but in a healthy way. Any suggestions?

Mel

Posted 2/11/2011 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
What's your BMI?
Posted 2/11/2011 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
mel, was going to suggest the ensure route, that's what i did after all that rapid weight loss i underwent with my last surgery, but see you are already doing that. good luck
Posted 2/11/2011 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
A few things with calories that are generally regarded as healthy:
Fruit and nuts (don't forget dates and raisins)
Pomegranate juice
Red wine (one glass per day!)
Dark chocolate
Posted 2/11/2011 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Ravioli, Fettuccine, Linguine, Manicotti, Whole wheat of course

Red wine ( its healthy for you)

Lots of Olive Oil ( good Fats)

Also good Fats ,, Walnuts, also lowers BP and the L-Arginine helps ED

Fruit,, A Medium Banana is 118 calories , Apple = 125, Pear = 165

Stay away from processed foods, cook it yourself and you not only control what you eat but the things you eat are better for you and better absorbed
Posted 2/11/2011 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
It's pretty easy. Figure 12cal / lb. daily maintenance and eat more calories than you burn. USDA Nutritional Value of Foods is online. Almost any food is labelled anymore. There are lots of sources to estimate what you burn for exercising. That'll get you close enough.
You can get a digital kitchen scale for 30 bucks to keep track of portions. But to gain weight estimates will be close enough. Nuts are high in calories and protein, fruits have fiber and vitamins and your whole grains have fiber, vitamins and some protein. So eat nuts, friuits and whole grains. Of course there are cakes and pies , but most of you guys probably think of them as poison. LOL
Posted 2/11/2011 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, cakes and pies are among the top items on my Taste-Good PC diet plan
Posted 2/11/2011 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Casey:

My BMI is good , 23.5.

I still need to put on a few pounds.

Folks-- thanks for the good ideas. I love nuts. Are cashew healthy?? I love cashews.

Mel

 

Posted 2/11/2011 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
mel, when i was trying to get into the military, i didnt even merit the minimun weight standard, so my parents fed me bananas around the clock, in those days, that was the easy course to gain weight. i sure got sick of banana this and banana that.

cashews should be as healthy as other nuts i would think. me, i prefer pistachios or walnuts.
Posted 2/11/2011 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

You can have some of mine!!! I found that Eligard has done a great job at helping me gain weight. Before my first dose I lost 15 pounds in anticipation of the change by adopting the modified mediteranian diet. Since the Eligard shot in October 10, my appetite has been voracious and I have regained 10 pounds.

Just eat more fatty foods, just be careful of the fat you use. Nuts, avacados, and the like are gfreat for you. Land animals are not. And certainly don't add sugar based food just to add weight or you are asking for other problems.

Many longevity and health studies continue to point to the tremendous advantages of weighing a little less than the standard tables when estimating morbidity and mortality. Yours is a problem my wife and I would gladly buy from you.
Posted 2/11/2011 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, Sometimes our body self-image doesn’t align with reality.   The BMI is one reality check-point tool.   You are on the high-end of Normal/Healthy…in fact you more than 75% “penetrated” into the Normal/Healthy range of 18.5-25 (hopefully you know what a penetration rate means…no juvenile thoughts).   The BMI has a wide range of values for the Normal/Healthy range.   The average American male is 5’ 9 ½”, and the Normal/Healthy range of weights for that height varies 45 pounds (in other words, the “window” for Normal is 45 pounds wide). There are credible reasons for people to be at the high/low range, or even outside the Normal range—kids, older frail people, body builders…I’m going to guess that you are none of those.   Body frame differences can also drive offsets in one direction or the other...do you feel that you are outside of an “average” body frame?   So, you are on the high-end of BMI Normal/Healthy , but you are apparently dissatisfied with your body shape.   In a separate thread, you reported that you only exercise about 2- or 3-times per week.   This is less than most experts would recommend for guys our age who seek to sustain, possibly improve, mobility, longevity, and quality of life.   Maybe you should think about just re-shaping ? I’m no dietician (I'm just an avid reader), but frankly I think it would be a clear mistake to try to eat less-healthy foods.   Before you go cramming in a lot of high-fat foods, I would recommend this easy-to-read book which was written for men our age who have an interest/desire to stay physically and mentally healthy as we age:   Younger Next Year .  I've read it (last fall) and am trying to follow the learnings in 2011...I highly recommend it.  For about $10, you can get it shipped today, and then decide for yourself. best regards...
Posted 2/11/2011 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I like the Boost High Protein drinks better than Ensure. The Boost tastes better, works better and costs less.
Posted 2/11/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)

Want to gain weight, Mel?

No problem, just come hang with me for a few weeks.

Zen9

Posted 2/11/2011 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
And if Zen is busy, I wouldbe a suitable substitute.
Posted 2/11/2011 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
come to lunch with me and you'll gain weight .  a shot of lupron would help too cool .

ed

Posted 2/11/2011 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
LOL...   I would like to send you about 5 of my lbs...   Anyway,  watching a Meyers video last night on prostate cancer and SRT,  he advises the mediterranian diet to all his patients...   and among other things,  pomegranite pills... 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet/CL00011

Do not know if it will help gain weight,  but I am sure there are things on there that will help in a positive and healthy way.

pasayten

Posted 2/11/2011 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Chocolate chip cookies. You can bake in a few pomegranate pills.
Posted 2/11/2011 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
LOL-- I enjoyed all your responses.

Casey-- you are relying too much on the BMI in my case.

I have weighed between 170-180 or so for the last 20-30 years. I also know what I look like when I am at a healthy weight. For some reason, I now look more gaunt in the face and frame. That's happened before when my weight goes down.

I am probably at 165 now. I am pretty sure this is due to my cutting out some of the unhealthy crap foods and increasing some exercise. I need to get my back better. It is not good. I was in a good zone as far as exercise goes and I want to return to the gym.

2-3 times a week is fine. I was trying to get to consistently go 3 times a week and have a good 1.5-2 hour workout each time. Yes, 4 would be better and that was on my radar.

You know what: I am starting to look like a cancer patient. What's up with that?

(Couldn't resist)

Mel

 

Posted 2/11/2011 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Mel...hang in there buddy....I truly believe once you get that point where you can relax some...like after the SRT and the PSA remains low, that you will relax and go back to eating those foods you enjoy. Then the pounds will come back...believe me.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply