So I did the healthy eating thing, and it worked too well - I've lost too much weight! How can I put weight on again??

[twoisplenty]

I have avoided saturated fat for about a year (not many cakes, butter, chocolate etc) and I enjoy fruit and all the stuff we are told we should eat - veg, fruit smoothies, wholemeal bread, oily fish, etc etc) but although I have felt well, and enjoyed it, it doesn't seem to have done me much good at all! My face is really thin, I don't weigh enough, but I can't now eat fatty stuff to put the weight back on, heart disease runs in my extended family - my mum suffers chest pain regularly now, and I don't want to risk having that too when I'm older.

So what can I eat to put weight on?

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You need to start eating more protein and complex carbohydrates, certainly not fats as they will just be burned off quickly and not good for your heart and arteries.
You could see a dietician/ nutritionist via your GP. I would see your GP anyway to look at your body mass index and to get a general health check.

ok
average woman needs 2000 calories a day to remain the same weight
So to put on a small amount of weight you up your cals by say 100-200 per day

If you exercise a lot you need more cals.

low fat dairy products, nuts, low fat cakes
skinny cow icecream

But check the sugar content as sometimes this is the nasty content !!

Thanks for replies! Mmm, I wondered about more protein, thinking about it I don't really have much. I suppose nuts have protein don't they? I don't want to eat much more meat, its full of saturated fat.

Complex carbs? I can't think of any!! Any ideas?

I am due to see the GP anyway, so I might mention BMI and general advice.

It doesn't help that I'm really really stressed atm, feel anxious all day, which must burn loads of calories. There's not much i can do to reduce the stress - trying to move house, dealing with legal matters with another matter, 4yo dd, and 8yo with cerebral palsy. Very busy!! I've only felt anxious for last few days, but its very tiring.

I'm not vegan or vegetarian btw, just cutting down on meat and dairy, but I eat some.

Stress always makes me lose loads of weight. I really think a chat with the GP may be a good idea, you could get your general health checked too.
If you do a search on the internet on the food standards agency- it tells you what you need to be eating, including complex carbs, proteins, low sugar, low salt.

I think seeing a dietitian would be worhwhile as there are differences between good fats and bad fats and you do need some after all...

Couldn't agree more !!
In my line of work-I use the dietician all the time, but do make sure that you keep up with your appointments.
And if you aren't already- maybe take up a yoga class or pilates or start swimming or doing an exercise class - very good for the soul and the body !!

Cottage cheese is a good source of low fat protein. Lentils are healthy and contain protein and complex carbs. If all else fails you could try protein shakes although I think real food is better. Do you exercise at all? I think the best way to put on some weight would be through exercise, particularly weight lifting if you can find a class - it's probably not that your body fat is too low but that your muscle mass is quite small.

People like you make me sick

just jealous at weight loss as no will power whatsoever.

Nuts and seed have protein and heart friendly fats, not to mention vitamins and minerals galore. Substitute one of your fruit snacks for a handful or two of mixed nuts and seeds (with or without raisins), sprinkle some on cereal, add to cakes, biscuits, crumble toppings etc. Hopefully that will do the trick

As a vegetarian, I would suggest beans and pulses along with nuts and seeds as good sources of protein.

Fish is also very good for you, protein wise (not that I eat it myself!)

tahini (sesame paste) is good to add to vinaigrette or as spread with honey.
All other butter substitutes in organic shops such as almond butter.

Tofu can be added to all blended soups ( makes them creamy, really nice) and 1 or 2 tbsp also mixed with yogurt as a base for muesli.
Muesli is great. Add seeds and nuts and dried fruit and honey. packed shockfull of nutrients.

barley soup.

Oatmeal.

non dairy milk substitutes such as almond milk/rice dream.

Agree beware of sugar contents.

Nuts, especially walnuts, are great -full of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Are you eating avocado? It's very nutritious and has lots of nice healthy fat (which is why it's so good for babies)