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How do you sustain your weight?

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Posted 3/17/2010 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 6'4 and I was always skinny in high school and college.  After college my weight came to 215-220, a good weight for my size.  I am now around 190 and struggling to maintain weight.  I poop everything out that enters my body and this worries me considering all the necessary nutrients are leaving my body.  I think this makes my immune system very weak and makes me more susceptible to illnesses, as well as the weight loss. 

What are some supplements/foods/shakes/etc that I can take and use to keep these nutrients in my body?  Basically, what are some high fat/calorie products that I can put in my body that will stay there?

Posted 3/17/2010 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
You may eventually find a way to maintain weight but still not be able to replace all the nutrients and micronutrients lost during the flare. The only real solution is to end the flare.
Posted 3/17/2010 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
That's the thing, I'm really not flaring.  I see the occassional blood probably every 2 weeks but my stools are mainly w/o blood.  There's just a lot of them.  I eat, then go poop 2-4 times until it's all out.  If I happen to only poop once one day, then the next day I go way more than usual and more comes out when I poop. 
Posted 3/17/2010 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
When I'm flaring, the only thing that sounds good to me are McDonalds (or any other type) plain hamburgers. I usually eat two, or I will order a quarter pounder, no cheese or anything on it. Just meat and bread. Sometimes I will even get fries, and this seems to keep my weight up. I know its not healthy, but I figure its better than not eating anything, and sometimes its the only thing that sounds good. Plus, its low residue and does not irritate my colon.
Posted 3/17/2010 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Man, if I could keep Mickey D's burgers in my tummy to digest I would eat 20 a day.  Unfortunately, fast food also runs the gauntlet through the shooter. 

I found a Boost drink that has 360 calories in it, 14gr fat, and is lactose and gluten free.  I feel this is a good breakfast that will stay in me.  This is kind of along the lines of stuff I am looking for that I hope you all can help me with. 

Posted 3/17/2010 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Bump

Really hoping someone can advise on food products/supplements/calorie drinks etc that can help add weight but are friendly to UC patients.  Thanks...

Posted 3/17/2010 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
There's been lots of threads on this very question... maybe search through the forum a bit. I have the opposite problem - trying to lose weight (I'm not flaring) so I didn't pay too much attention to the suggestions so can't really help you.
Posted 3/17/2010 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Curious what you do eat/drink during the day.....can you give a basic rundown?

Are you getting enough calories?

What meds are you taking at this time?...maybe make a signature with that info so we don't keep asking, it's very helpful.

q
Posted 3/17/2010 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
You really are flaring. Your rectum may be inflamed if you are dumping that much stool. I'm losing weight right now, no appetite, and I have an inflamed rectum. When you feel better, you'll gain the weight back.
Posted 3/17/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem I'm 6'2" and used to weigh 170-180, now I weigh 120. I started the SCD 2 months ago and I was worried because it has no carbs in it which every weight loss diet these days is a no carb diet but suprisingly my weight has maintained. my weight stays in a 119-124 range and I've been through 2 semi-flares since starting it. It may be due to the fact that I get hungry more often now and I eat more healthy food as compared to less fatty foods. I'd love to gain some weight withouth having to icrease my prednisone but for now not losing any more is an improvement.
Posted 3/17/2010 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Try adding a fiber supplement, if you're not already taking one. Fiber tends to normalize bowel transit time - either speeding things up if you're constipated or slowing things down if you have D. I'd agree with Ellen that you are flaring, although it may be milder than what you're used to.

Try to determine and eliminate foods that you know are problematic for you personally. Keep a food journal to track reactions. Anything that seems to go right through you should be avoided.

Take a high quality probiotic to try to rebuild healthy gut flora. Consider natural supplements like aloe vera juice, l-glutamine and Omega-3 to help heal the bowel and reduce inflammation.

Also, consider body building supplements, protein powders and/or meal replacement shakes as healthier alternatives to products like Boost and Ensure. Add calorie dense foods to your diet like avacado and nut butters.

Lift weights to build or maintain healthy muscle mass and get plenty of rest to encourage muscle growth between lifting sessions.
Posted 3/17/2010 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
My weight has been all over the place in 10 years with UC. In the worst flares I'd lose so much weight I'd have to get new clothes or look like a scarecrow.

Since being successful with my modified SCDiet I, like Brad, have levelled off in weight loss. Since the start of the diet 10 weeks ago I've lost 5 lbs. but that was within the first 4 weeks only and no loss since.

The diet is heavy on protein so I have lots more energy and muscle. I eat all day long, small amounts, when I get hungry as well as a normal dinner. If you don't want to go on the SCDiet I'd suggest adding more protein to your diet as well as some fat. I use virgin coconut oil to bake with. Your body and brain need fat. What we don't need are carbohydrates in the amount most people eat.

I am frankly not interested in how much I weigh. I care about energy level and whether my colon is behaving, no D, no urgency, no bleeding. I am almost back to normal but realize it is a journey back to health not an overnight fix.

One thing you mentioned is what I am currently trying to tinker with: too much waste compared to normal colon function. I believe my colon is not digesting the food properly and therefore too much is being put out compared to a normal colon. I've just gotten some digestive enzyme pills that I'll add in verrrry slowly. Don't want to upset the apple cart. My main issue these days is C and I don't know that I'd try them if it was D. I'm trying to get things moving and digested. Perhaps you'd like to slow down your process and get to the C stage? Everyone is different.

In a few weeks I'll let the forum know how the digestive enzymes worked/didn't work out.
Posted 3/17/2010 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, thank you.

Yesterday my meals were: Boost for breakfast, 2 pb & j's on white bread and doritos for lunch, and a chargrilled chicken deluxe from Chickfila.

Today my meals were: Boost for breakfast, 2 pb & j's on white and cheezits for lunch, and tonight my wife is cooking chicken spaghetti.

My overall diet is bad.  Just like any other male, my favs are bbq, steaks, wings, pizza, etc.  The foods I'm supposed to eat do not sound good to me and are not satisfying.  However, I getting to the point where I realize what eating these type foods do to someone like me with UC.  I'm wanting to change, just need help. 

To gain weight and muscle, I'm looking at stuff like Muscle Milk, Naked juices, etc.  Any idea on these drinks? 

The only probiotic I have tried was Super Shield and I felt it increased my bm's. 

Thanks again everyone...

 

Posted 3/17/2010 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Serenity Now,

Your signature indicates that you are in remission without taking meds. How did you accomplish that, was it the SCD diet or some other lifestyle changes?
Posted 3/18/2010 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
1 shot of virgin coconut oil in every protein shake.
Posted 3/18/2010 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
You can definitely look into some weight training supplements if you're looking for some good calorie intake. There are some shake products that offer up to 5,000 calories per serving. I'm not going to promise it will taste great lol as most weight training shakes are an acquired taste. Prior to my current situation of fighting through hemorrhoid surgeries and two salmonella infections, I used to work out quite a bit and would take a high protein high calorie shake right after my exercise. Then the next morning on the way to work I would make a serving of muscle milk (which is the best tasting shake out of all I've tried). I'm 6'1" and have never been heavier than 165lbs, it's like my body won't allow it. Due to the two salmonella infections and me being on antibiotics for 30 days, I'm now 154lbs and I hate it.
Posted 3/18/2010 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Are those calorie shakes/supplements lactose free?  The purpose of the calorie intake is to find something that will stay in my system...
Posted 3/18/2010 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
there are quite a few on the market that you will find to be lactose free...a lot of them also contain Glutamine which is very beneficial to your intestines.
Posted 3/18/2010 4:57 PM (GMT 0)

BabeintheWoods said...
Serenity Now,

Your signature indicates that you are in remission without taking meds. How did you accomplish that, was it the SCD diet or some other lifestyle changes?

It's a mystery.  I started going into remission before I was even diagnosed.  My GI prescribed two months of Asacol at time of diagnosis, which I took, but since neither of us know if that had any effect or not, she told me to stop taking them after the 2 months and see what happened... I continued to improve.

My own theory?  I had quit my extremely stressful job and basically did nothing but REST for 2 months.  Seriously, I barely did anything but lie on the sofa.  Without knowing what it was called, I had reduced my diet to a "low-residue diet" - basically crap, to be honest, no fibre at all.  I also had excluded all alcohol for several months.  So, my best guess is no alcohol, no stress, complete rest, and MAYBE the low-residue diet is what did it.   

Posted 3/18/2010 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
During this flare I'm having I lost 30lbs but now that I'm on pred my weight has stabilized. I have noticed that although most of the low residue diets show smaller amounts of protein, I am doing well eating kind of a lot. Chicken and tuna seem to be best and I'm eating like 5-6oz per serving 2-3 times a day. I'm also doing OK with cheese so I am eating a couple of servings of that. But I swear the protein is doing more for me keeping weight on than the carbs are. So, maybe that's something? Chicken, chicken and more chicken? I am eating like 1700-2000 calories a day which, yeah probably not so low residue at that rate even avoiding fiber but I didn't want to lose more weight. It's a juggle...

One product that I have heard good things about in terms of being gentle is Benecalorie. I haven't tried it, though.
Posted 3/18/2010 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

samlc25 said...
Are those calorie shakes/supplements lactose free?  The purpose of the calorie intake is to find something that will stay in my system...

Look for a whey protein isolate (as opposed to a whey protein concentrate) OR go with egg white protein.
Posted 3/18/2010 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
First off, thanks everyone....

I am thinking of adding these two products to my daily intake and I would like feedback.  Particularly, I would like to know if anyone sees any ingredients that might be harmful to my colitis.  Thanks...

The first is Nature's Best Isopure Mass (this is for weight gain)

http://www.naturesbest.com/Powders.20.44.207.20930.lasso

The second is NOW Whey Protein Isolate

http://www.nowfoods.com/Products/M002795.htm

Seeing as though the Isopure has 53gr of protein, is the Whey even necessary?

Posted 3/18/2010 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Eat every 3-4hrs and start with daily calories around 2500. Keep some healthy fats in your diet as well as carbs. Aim for 1g protein per pound of bodyweight. This disease does make it very hard to keep weight on but you can do it if you plan your diet out. If eating that often is a problem for you, you can always just eat 3 big meals a day and take a weightgainer and see if that helps.
Posted 3/22/2010 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, I have added major changes to my diet that I hope will help rebuild my immune system and overall health and hopefully result in weight gain. I'm hoping to add 15 lbs to my frame and I am at 190lbs right now.

The point of my diet is to eat foods that will pass naturally through my body. To do that, I have started a high protein diet involving lots of chicken, fish, tender meats, and vegetables. I am cutting out sweets, bread for the most part, and all of the trigger foods for me personally.

I have my morning drive to work drink from Boost to Muscle Milk. I have also added a weight gainer called Isopure Mass that is lactose free and 600 calories.

Today is a typical day for me and this is what my intake will be:
- Muscle Milk on way to work
- Oatmeal for mid morning snack
- 2 Tuna fish sandwiches for lunch
- Weight Gainer shake after workout
- Pot roast w/ carrots & potatoes for dinner\

I really hope this works and that I can stay on it for a good while. I also saw a few folks that were in a similar situation as me and I hope to add valuable information based on my results. Thanks everyone...
Posted 3/22/2010 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am going on a weight gaining, appetite enhancing anti-depressants. I'm miserable, have no appetite and keep losing through diarrhea. I'm frail. I want to exercise but can't afford to burn calories.
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