Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Gary:

I can identify with your problem because I've been underweight in the past. Unfortunately, I have a double whammy because I not only must follow the IBS low fat diet, but I must also stay away from anything with sugar because of blood sugar problems.

Despite this I have managed to put on weight. Here are my suggestions...

First of all, don't eat anything fatty like the things you mentioned in your message! This will only serve to make you ill and lose even more weight.

The best way to gain weight is to eat small meals often. If you are eating three times a day now, increase that to six smaller meals. For example, I pack myself three sandwiches to take to work every day. I make them with IBS-safe, additive-free, organic turkey slices available in the Greater Toronto Area and, if I need to gain weight, I spread some mashed potatoes or mashed yam on the sandwich for added calories! I eat one sandwich about 11 a.m., another about 1:30 p.m. and the last about 4 p.m.

Also, if you have no problem with sugar, then increase your intake of IBS-safe desserts and other treats with sugar. Other peoples' suggestions of eating more bread is good too.

In addition, you could try a dairy-free, IBS-safe margarine that I use on my bread and which has helped me gain weight. It's called "Organic Earth Balance Buttery Spread" and is available in health food stores in both the U.S. and Canada. My IBS makes me extremely sensitive to food, but by some miracle this margarine agrees 100 per cent with me.

The other thing I would recommend (if you haven't already done so) is to join a gym and take up weight lifting. Muscles add weight without adding fat to the body.

Please don't be discouraged if you don't gain weight immediately by employing the above diet and exercise approach. It may take a month or two to begin gaining weight if your metabolism is high. But eventually you will see a positive result.

Belinda

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