I'm a 45 year old woman who wants to gain 25 pounds

[Anonymous]

Why not take lactaid and eat ice cream? Seems like you can eat dairy if you just take the meds beforehand; that's what my husband does. Opens up a whole range of fattening foods!

Also can you ask your doctor about antidepressants/antianxiety meds that would help with weight gain? Seems like a bunch of them exist and going through your doctor might be a good way to proceed.

[Anonymous]

Add as many calories as you can to a smoothie. Oat milk, bananas, avocados, but butter, flax oil.

[Anonymous]

Can you post a sample of what a day of eating looks like for you? That would be helpful to work off of.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all these suggestions! I can't eat nuts or hummus though because my daughter has severe allergies to both, and we don't keep those in the house. So no peanut butter, tree nuts or hummus. I do try to eat lots of avocados, butter, and breads/rolls and as much crap as I want.

I can't take lactaid pills--they don't work for me, nor can I do Lactose-free products. I don't know why but I still get symptoms with those. I feel best when I have zero dairy. The only dairy that I can do is butter, parmesan and feta cheese. I can't tolerate lactose-free cheeses or Lactose-free milk.

I did work with a nutritionist for awhile but did not find it helpful. What I really want is a two-week mealplan for a 3000 calorie diet, taking into account no dairy and no nuts, but the nutritionist was unable to give me that.

The main problem is that I don't enjoy eating and never have. I view eating as an annoying chore that I need to get out of the way in order to do more interesting things. When I'm stressed or anxious my appetite disappears and I drop weight quickly. I also dislike cooking (my husband does all the cooking) so for breakfast and lunch I eat whatever I can that's simple and easy. I do the grocery shopping and the cleanup but my DH does the cooking.

I don't have the appetite to do a lot of snacking either. Here's what my typical food intake looks like. I tend to only eat two meals per day, I don't have the appetite for 3. I have always followed an "intuitive eating" plan naturally and I take cues from my body about when to eat and when to stop eating. I can't eat lunch if it's noon and I'm not hungry, so I just skip and wait for the next meal, or have a late lunch and no dinner. I've always mainly eaten two meals per day, but pre-pandemic we would eat out 4-5 times per week, which packs on the calories, and I used to drink tons of soda and put tons of cheese and ranch dressing on everything, but I can no longer tolerate dairy. So this is also a big reason why I've lost so much weight and can't put it back on.

Brunch: 3 eggs sauteed in butter and an avocado
Snack: 2 chocolate chip cookies
Dinner: chicken parmesan (no cheese) plus veggies or tacos (meat, beans, veggies) or fish plus veggies
Dessert: A few mini chocolate bars

Drinks: Juice and water

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all these suggestions! I can't eat nuts or hummus though because my daughter has severe allergies to both, and we don't keep those in the house. So no peanut butter, tree nuts or hummus. I do try to eat lots of avocados, butter, and breads/rolls and as much crap as I want.

I can't take lactaid pills--they don't work for me, nor can I do Lactose-free products. I don't know why but I still get symptoms with those. I feel best when I have zero dairy. The only dairy that I can do is butter, parmesan and feta cheese. I can't tolerate lactose-free cheeses or Lactose-free milk.

I did work with a nutritionist for awhile but did not find it helpful. What I really want is a two-week mealplan for a 3000 calorie diet, taking into account no dairy and no nuts, but the nutritionist was unable to give me that.

The main problem is that I don't enjoy eating and never have. I view eating as an annoying chore that I need to get out of the way in order to do more interesting things. When I'm stressed or anxious my appetite disappears and I drop weight quickly. I also dislike cooking (my husband does all the cooking) so for breakfast and lunch I eat whatever I can that's simple and easy. I do the grocery shopping and the cleanup but my DH does the cooking.

I don't have the appetite to do a lot of snacking either. Here's what my typical food intake looks like. I tend to only eat two meals per day, I don't have the appetite for 3. I have always followed an "intuitive eating" plan naturally and I take cues from my body about when to eat and when to stop eating. I can't eat lunch if it's noon and I'm not hungry, so I just skip and wait for the next meal, or have a late lunch and no dinner. I've always mainly eaten two meals per day, but pre-pandemic we would eat out 4-5 times per week, which packs on the calories, and I used to drink tons of soda and put tons of cheese and ranch dressing on everything, but I can no longer tolerate dairy. So this is also a big reason why I've lost so much weight and can't put it back on.

Brunch: 3 eggs sauteed in butter and an avocado
Snack: 2 chocolate chip cookies
Dinner: chicken parmesan (no cheese) plus veggies or tacos (meat, beans, veggies) or fish plus veggies
Dessert: A few mini chocolate bars

Drinks: Juice and water

You need to add some bread and pasta to that menu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all these suggestions! I can't eat nuts or hummus though because my daughter has severe allergies to both, and we don't keep those in the house. So no peanut butter, tree nuts or hummus. I do try to eat lots of avocados, butter, and breads/rolls and as much crap as I want.

I can't take lactaid pills--they don't work for me, nor can I do Lactose-free products. I don't know why but I still get symptoms with those. I feel best when I have zero dairy. The only dairy that I can do is butter, parmesan and feta cheese. I can't tolerate lactose-free cheeses or Lactose-free milk.

I did work with a nutritionist for awhile but did not find it helpful. What I really want is a two-week mealplan for a 3000 calorie diet, taking into account no dairy and no nuts, but the nutritionist was unable to give me that.

The main problem is that I don't enjoy eating and never have. I view eating as an annoying chore that I need to get out of the way in order to do more interesting things. When I'm stressed or anxious my appetite disappears and I drop weight quickly. I also dislike cooking (my husband does all the cooking) so for breakfast and lunch I eat whatever I can that's simple and easy. I do the grocery shopping and the cleanup but my DH does the cooking.

I don't have the appetite to do a lot of snacking either. Here's what my typical food intake looks like. I tend to only eat two meals per day, I don't have the appetite for 3. I have always followed an "intuitive eating" plan naturally and I take cues from my body about when to eat and when to stop eating. I can't eat lunch if it's noon and I'm not hungry, so I just skip and wait for the next meal, or have a late lunch and no dinner. I've always mainly eaten two meals per day, but pre-pandemic we would eat out 4-5 times per week, which packs on the calories, and I used to drink tons of soda and put tons of cheese and ranch dressing on everything, but I can no longer tolerate dairy. So this is also a big reason why I've lost so much weight and can't put it back on.

Brunch: 3 eggs sauteed in butter and an avocado
Snack: 2 chocolate chip cookies
Dinner: chicken parmesan (no cheese) plus veggies or tacos (meat, beans, veggies) or fish plus veggies
Dessert: A few mini chocolate bars

Drinks: Juice and water

Start by replacing your snack of 2 cookies with something healthier (banana with sunbutter, smoothie, etc). Maybe eat one cookie and a smoothie? But what you're eating actually amounts to a pretty good amount of calories. Depending on the portions it's 1800 calories or so. Shouldn't be that hard to get a few hundred more calories in your diet and if you're still losing weight I'd start really talking to doctors about why you continue to lose weight. Talk to your GP, but I'd be talking to a gastro/endo/etc.

[Anonymous]

Since you're 45, it's really a great time to work a lot of additional calcium into your diet.

Whole milk, kefir, full fat greek yogurt, good cheese, etc. are all excellent sources of calcium and a great way to put on wanted or unwanted pounds.

I find that if I get protein first thing in the morning it stimulates my appetite and I'm hungry for lunch/dinner. I've noticed the same with my DS (he has ADHD and appetite issues from medication). If he eats a good breakfast, he has a stronger appetite the rest of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all these suggestions! I can't eat nuts or hummus though because my daughter has severe allergies to both, and we don't keep those in the house. So no peanut butter, tree nuts or hummus. I do try to eat lots of avocados, butter, and breads/rolls and as much crap as I want.

I can't take lactaid pills--they don't work for me, nor can I do Lactose-free products. I don't know why but I still get symptoms with those. I feel best when I have zero dairy. The only dairy that I can do is butter, parmesan and feta cheese. I can't tolerate lactose-free cheeses or Lactose-free milk.

I did work with a nutritionist for awhile but did not find it helpful. What I really want is a two-week mealplan for a 3000 calorie diet, taking into account no dairy and no nuts, but the nutritionist was unable to give me that.

The main problem is that I don't enjoy eating and never have. I view eating as an annoying chore that I need to get out of the way in order to do more interesting things. When I'm stressed or anxious my appetite disappears and I drop weight quickly. I also dislike cooking (my husband does all the cooking) so for breakfast and lunch I eat whatever I can that's simple and easy. I do the grocery shopping and the cleanup but my DH does the cooking.

I don't have the appetite to do a lot of snacking either. Here's what my typical food intake looks like. I tend to only eat two meals per day, I don't have the appetite for 3. I have always followed an "intuitive eating" plan naturally and I take cues from my body about when to eat and when to stop eating. I can't eat lunch if it's noon and I'm not hungry, so I just skip and wait for the next meal, or have a late lunch and no dinner. I've always mainly eaten two meals per day, but pre-pandemic we would eat out 4-5 times per week, which packs on the calories, and I used to drink tons of soda and put tons of cheese and ranch dressing on everything, but I can no longer tolerate dairy. So this is also a big reason why I've lost so much weight and can't put it back on.

Brunch: 3 eggs sauteed in butter and an avocado
Snack: 2 chocolate chip cookies
Dinner: chicken parmesan (no cheese) plus veggies or tacos (meat, beans, veggies) or fish plus veggies
Dessert: A few mini chocolate bars

Drinks: Juice and water

You need more carbs. Have 2 eggs for breakfast plus acacado on toast. Add some rice or pasta to your lunch. Same with dinner

[Anonymous]

I feel for you, OP. I have struggled with completely losing my appetite during times of stress and anxiety. I grew up in a chaotic household with an alcoholic parent.

Have you been diagnosed with anxiety and or depression? I ask because I got this diagnosis later in life (in my 30s) and finally made measurable strides in my mental health (and eating normally and gaining/maintaining a healthy weight) once I was prescribed an SSRI.

Also, likely due to my low weight and inadequate intake, I was diagnosed at 48 with osteoporosis. I have the bones of an elderly woman. I urge you to get a painless Dexa scan to check on your bone density.

My untreated anxiety (and per my doctor, the constant flood of adrenaline) caused me to become alarmingly thin and like you, I’d drop weight way too quickly.

[Anonymous]

18:40 to suggest that you try to drink your calories! Make smoothies with protein powder, frozen berries, a banana flaxseed and whirl with almond milk.

Yogurt drinks or kefir are great, too.

Hydrate well and make sure you are drinking enough plain water. I like hot ginger or herbal tea as an alternative.

I take supplements (multi vites, calcium chews, biotin and magnesium) and all are approved by my GP.

Start exercising! Great way to increase your appetite. I walk on a treadmill 3.0 miles at least 3x week and once done With that workout, I do 20 minutes with light weights for my arms and back.

[Anonymous]

Humble brag

[Anonymous]

Are you the same OP in the food forum wanting to “add more calories without fat or carbs?” Your diet sounds like it…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all these suggestions! I can't eat nuts or hummus though because my daughter has severe allergies to both, and we don't keep those in the house. So no peanut butter, tree nuts or hummus. I do try to eat lots of avocados, butter, and breads/rolls and as much crap as I want.

I can't take lactaid pills--they don't work for me, nor can I do Lactose-free products. I don't know why but I still get symptoms with those. I feel best when I have zero dairy. The only dairy that I can do is butter, parmesan and feta cheese. I can't tolerate lactose-free cheeses or Lactose-free milk.

I did work with a nutritionist for awhile but did not find it helpful. What I really want is a two-week mealplan for a 3000 calorie diet, taking into account no dairy and no nuts, but the nutritionist was unable to give me that.

The main problem is that I don't enjoy eating and never have. I view eating as an annoying chore that I need to get out of the way in order to do more interesting things. When I'm stressed or anxious my appetite disappears and I drop weight quickly. I also dislike cooking (my husband does all the cooking) so for breakfast and lunch I eat whatever I can that's simple and easy. I do the grocery shopping and the cleanup but my DH does the cooking.

I don't have the appetite to do a lot of snacking either. Here's what my typical food intake looks like. I tend to only eat two meals per day, I don't have the appetite for 3. I have always followed an "intuitive eating" plan naturally and I take cues from my body about when to eat and when to stop eating. I can't eat lunch if it's noon and I'm not hungry, so I just skip and wait for the next meal, or have a late lunch and no dinner. I've always mainly eaten two meals per day, but pre-pandemic we would eat out 4-5 times per week, which packs on the calories, and I used to drink tons of soda and put tons of cheese and ranch dressing on everything, but I can no longer tolerate dairy. So this is also a big reason why I've lost so much weight and can't put it back on.

Brunch: 3 eggs sauteed in butter and an avocado
Snack: 2 chocolate chip cookies
Dinner: chicken parmesan (no cheese) plus veggies or tacos (meat, beans, veggies) or fish plus veggies
Dessert: A few mini chocolate bars

Drinks: Juice and water

You need more carbs. Have 2 eggs for breakfast plus acacado on toast. Add some rice or pasta to your lunch. Same with dinner

This' you don’t eat enough carbs. Your meals look like a diet Reco almost (and it is funny because someone else on page 1 gave a full day menu and it also looked the same as diet Reco).

At each meal add simple carbs associated with fat. the protein and veggies mix you are getting are healthy and filling, that’s why we eat that to lose weight. I would do:

- breakfast : white bread with Nutella or butter and jam, bagels, croissant, pain au chocolat, brioche any sugary and greasy pastry you can think off, any of the frozen breakfast stuff (waffles and add butter and syrup, English muffin with butter or Nutella, cheddar biscuits etc…)
- lunch and dinner: add at least a full cup of white rice with butter, or pasta with olive oil. Make sure you add as much fat as you can appreciate/stomach with your simple carbs. The veggies you eat : won’t tell you to cut them out because they are healthy, but as much as possible try to add more olive or avocado or coconut oil to whatever you cook. Each additional tablespoon of fat is a good chunk of calories that shouldn’t impact your appetite too much.
- snacks : same thing, try to find a simple carb you like and think of a source of fat you can add (again: croissant, bread and butter, banana and Nutella etc..)
- drinks: juice and sweet lemonades should be a could source of additional calories that shouldn’t curb your appetite too much

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the tips. When I was working with the nutritionist I kept a food log for 2 weeks. She determined that I was eating about 1800 calories per day, which isn't even enough to maintain my current weight, she said. She said I need to be eating 3000 calories per day in order to gain weight, but when I look at all the food that would take I get overwhelmed. I have a small appetite, and overall eating is not an appealing activity (never has been). I've never been a snacker so that's a hard habit to get into as well. I understand a previous suggestion to eat more carbs, but that feels overwhelming to eat more bread or pasta with meals. I will try to do that though.

Pre-Covid we ate out a ton, and that provided lots of extra calories (for instance lunch at Cheesecake Factory, I would skip breakfast and finish an entire entree on my own plus drink two sodas, I'm sure that was around 2000 calories right there). Eating out so much plus all the soda helped me stay at a good weight for me (125) and I didn't look too thin. These days though we rarely eat out and I don't drink soda anymore, so that accounts for a lack of calories.

Today for breakfast I ate 2 eggs sauteed in butter, an avocado, and two slices of toast with butter. That will fill me up until probably 7 pm, I won't have any appetite for snacking. I can't eat when I'm not hungry, that makes me feel nauseous. Then I'll have a later dinner, probably tacos--meat, beans, avocado, tomato, salsa. And probably 2 cookies for dessert. That's probably around 1800 calories for the day. I don't know how to have more of an appetite. I do drink a lot of calories--will drink juice all day but I can't do smoothies due to lactose intolerance issues.

[Anonymous]

/I don't know how to have more of an appetite. I do drink a lot of calories--will drink juice all day but I can't do smoothies due to lactose intolerance issues./

PP w/ similar issues. Yes, you absolutely can do smoothies EVEN with lactose intolerance issues. Research Ripple (pea protein drink that’s high in protein, calcium and tastes good). Or, Costco Oat milk that is a rough equivalent. I alternate and use either in daily smoothies.

Also, please address my question re: anxiety. I recognize the symptoms you describe. Do you sometimes gag if you try to eat? Do you have bouts of nausea that cause you to almost be sickened by the thought or smell of food?