Need help gaining some weight

[Bookworm19]

'eat more'. Seems easy enough, right?
It's not that simple for me. My weight has fluctuated a lot over the years. However, after my daughter was born 2 years ago we had a lot on our plates including a house move and I lost 3 stone in a short span of time due to stress etc.

I managed to gain 3-4lbs back but since then, my weight has not budged, at all. I'm not underweight but after a relative told me that I was looking thin again, and seeing a photo of myself yesterday, I realised that I'd look much better with half a stone on me.

I have two young children, one of whom has a disability so I'm literally on my feet for 12-14 hours a day. I also love walking so try to go out a lot with DC.

Since losing weight the last time, I eat to my appetite. I already have full fat dairy, olive oil, carbs. I love pizza and ice cream but also salad and fruit, etc. I eat whatever I feel like, but as soon as I'm full I stop. I hate feeling over full.

Last night, I pushed myself to eat the rest of DH and DC's burgers that were leftover, followed by a chocolate cheesecake that I didn't even want.

Today I've had porridge with nuts and fruit, a pain au chocolate, banana, ham and cheese wrap with salad, chocolate cake. Stuff I normally eat but larger quantities. I feel sick as I've overeaten. I'd naturally just have something light later. But I need to gain weight.

It sounds silly but when I feel like this, even thinking of food makes me feel sick. Yet I need to force more calories in. How???
Even my salads are topped of nuts, seeds, cheese and olive oil. I'll happily eat garlic bread with pasta, followed by a hot chocolate. But in quantities that will satisfy my appetite. Once I'm done, I'm done.

Any other ways I can sneak in extra calories without noticing?

I wonder if this might be better in general health rather than weight loss chat?

Have you talked to your gp?

@PurpleDaisies

I didn't think of that! Any idea how I get it moved?

I've had bloods done recently, nothing was flagged. I actually feel very healthy in general, this is purely that I eat to my appetite and struggle with feeling sick if I overeat. BMI is approx 20 so I'm not underweight but I'd feel better than some more Weight on me.

@Bookworm19 you can report it to MNHQ and ask them to movw it.

I have no experience with intentional weightgain, but I would first look at how many calories are you consuming and burning now. From that you can make a plan by adding small high calory (but still healthy) item on. You must be burning so much with the caring responsibilities!
Have you thought about protein powders working out people do? Maybe that would be a good website to check.🤔 Some body building/workout/bulking up website. I absolutely understand you don't want to eat more than you can fit! It doesn't feel nice.

Just some of the things you’ve said about feeling full more quickly than normal and the fact you’ve lost a lot of weight is worth talking to your gp about, even though you’re still a normal weight.

I’ll report your post and I’m sure it will be moved.

We're moving this thread over to our General Health topic for the OP.

Hello, I'm having the same issue except I am underweight according to BMI. I was advised by dietician in addition to meals and snacks to try having calorific drinks e.g full fat milk/hot chocolate/ovaltine. Drinks leave the stomach more quickly so you don't feel full for so long. Also add cheese, olive oil, cream, avocado to meals to add fats which are also dense in calories. I also got a supplement drink to have e.g complan. Its tougher to gain for some than people think!

Also, I'm trying strength training to build muscle mass too. Not sure of your build but that also helps with weight gain as long as you are eating well alongside it.

I would be careful of eating too many carbs as you can end up "fat skinny" and they tend to leave you feeling full and bloated. You need the high calorie, low density foods such as @Redheadedscarecrow suggests. Googling body builders diets is a good starting point.
Have you had your thyroid checked?

Sorry last one, split your meals into 6 rather than three if you are struggling with 3 larger meals, but if you are struggling with time it may be a hassle.

Smoothies are great OP. I wouldn’t push yourself to eat more solid foods if you’re completely full as I find this just has the opposite effect and makes me feel really sick and I ultimately eat less for the rest of the day.

Peanut butter and banana smoothies, can even put some oats in there and a spoonful of nutella if you like. Milkshakes etc made with full fat milk and your favourite ice cream will give you lots of calories in a tiny glass.

I came on to make a handful of suggestions which we used when DS2 needed to gain weight, but you are already doing them: adding seeds and nuts to food, using full fat etc. My only other suggestion would be to add some refined carbs. If a lot of high fat food makes you feel sick, you might be better off gaining weight with lower fat carbs.

Try granary bread toasted with peanut butter (if you like it) or butter and jam. Have a biscuit or seedy cracker and butter with a cup of tea mid morning. Snack mid afternoon and mid evening or late evening too. Snacking is the way to gain weight. That's how we helped DS2 gain weight as he was severely underweight due to illness and couldn't face big, rich meals. So we just gave him a constant stream of tiny, high calorie snacks.

Don't force feed yourself. You say it makes you feel sick. And don't worry too much - as long as you are within the healthy BMI, you are fine.

Try Fresubin 5kcal Shot. 600 calories in 120mls. Won't reduce your appetite for other foods or make you feel uncomfortably full. They use it in hospitals for underweight elderly people. The Lemon on is delicious or you can pop the neutral one in a smoothie.