Starvation Mode & Not losing weight.

Rfoehl71
Rfoehl71 Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi.

I'm new to the community, but have been using MyFitnessPal for awhile now.

My issue is this: I am not consuming enough calories, and seem to be stuck in a never ending loop with Starvation Mode.

Would adding a protein drink help? Maybe Ensure Protein or whey protein isolate (has less sugar I think).??

I have gastroparesis so my diet is very limited. I physically cannot eat more solid food. Most of my diet is carbs (I know that's an issue too, but it cannot be helped)

Any advice on bumping up my calories with protein is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Username: Rfoehl71

Replies

  • alt1268
    alt1268 Posts: 159 Member
    I would definetely add a protein drink or 2. Protein helps build muscle .
  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    You are providing way too little info for anyone to be able to help. You need to let people know how much you are eating now, height, weight and goals.
  • sissiluv
    sissiluv Posts: 2,205 Member
    When my metabolism slowed down due to not eating enough my dietitian recommended meal replacements drinks and bars, as food and I have a bit of a disordered relationship.
    I know that Boost at least comes in plus calories so you can get it up there. If you have trouble with blood sugar you can go to Glucerna as well, which has both bars and drinks.

    They're both super yummy. Good luck!
  • Raddichio
    Raddichio Posts: 162 Member
    Gastroparesis can be very serious. Have you spoken to your doctor about a good diet for weight loss? Even better, perhaps he/she would refer you to a dietician who could work with you to meet your weight goals AND manage your illness.
  • Lmns218
    Lmns218 Posts: 155
    Get a nutribullet and start extracting!!!! You take 2 cups of leafy greens, about 2 cups of fresh fruit, 2-4 tablespoons of protein (raw seed and nuts) add water and you have a healthy concoction that to me tastes better than a protein drink, is all natural, and is about 250-300 calories....plus alot of people with your issues rave about being able to digest food better so why not give it a shot!!??
  • Rfoehl71
    Rfoehl71 Posts: 3
    More Info (sorry, new to this any didn't realise my data wasn't available by clicking on my name)

    Thanks to all the replies, I've tried to elaborate some to see if this helps. I am going to give protein drinks of some kind a try.

    I am a 42 yr old female. I am 5'1", and 147 lbs. I am in menopause (hysterectomy). I want to be back around 120-125 lbs.

    147 is the most I have ever weighed. I am terrified I will keep gaining weight.

    When I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, I was 125 lbs. I lost 30 lbs until I had open stomach surgery (I was literally skeleton sickly). I've been gaining weight steadily since my surgery and treatment for gastroparesis.

    Oddly enough, I am one of the few people with gastroparesis that is not diabetic.

    I have a sedientary lifestyle due to multiple disabilities. I try to do cardio several times a week when able too. I cannot lift any weights, or do anything that strains the c-spine.

    Due to my gastroparesis, my diet is strict and is mostly carbs like noodles, rice, bread, plain simple things.

    I cannot eat fruits and veggies, (except spinach and well soaked or puréed peas). My meat intake is low, and even then is soaked in a crock pot for hours, I only 3 oz of meat at a time. I cannot eat milk, yogurt, beans, fiber, etc. anything that binds in the stomach is off limits.

    Some days I cry because I'd give anything to eat a salad or a bowl of fresh fruit, but I can't.

    My daily carb intake is 70-85%. A small amount of fats (5-10% ish) and smaller amount of protein (1-9% depending on meat intake)

    I drink a ton of water. So much I have to add electrolyte supplements.

    I have spoken to my doctors. One specialist for one disability says Lose Weight. Another says Do Not Lose Weight. I've had the diet talk with my GI on to many occasions to count. The doctors all contradict one another. The nutritionist pushes me to eat what I cannot eat and I get very sick.

    This is why I started using MyFitnessPal. I needed to start trying things differently. I refuse to let my disabilities run my life.

    Thanks so much for the replies.

    My Motto "I may have disabilities, but they don't have me"

    Added info: I'm eating roughly 900-1000 calories a day, out of a 1300-1500 cal limit.
  • lilimini
    lilimini Posts: 56
    I'm not a health care professional but if I couldn't eat all the nutrients then how about blending them. Making a drink out of leafy greens and other fruits and veggies. I'm not sure if that's something that would help but it would increase your protein intake and it would all be fresh.

    I hope that's helps! Also there is a movie called 'fat, sick and nearly dead'. Its really informative!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    how many calories a day do you eat?
  • Raddichio
    Raddichio Posts: 162 Member
    That's a tough situation, especially with medical professionals contradicting one other. If you decide to make adjustments to your diet, I would do so incrementally and very carefully. Add a small amount of something and see how your body reacts. Then try increasing it gradually over time, and see how it works for you. Only make one change at a time so that if you react badly you will know what the culprit is. It may take some trial-and-error, but hopefully you can find the right combination. Do you think some of the weight loss is hormonal, affected by the hysterectomy? You could speak to your gynecologist about that.

    Has your doctor recommended walking after meals for 20-30 minutes? I know that has helped some who suffer from gastroparesis to eat a bit more than before wtihout ill effects.
  • Rfoehl71
    Rfoehl71 Posts: 3
    Im at 900 average calories per day, somedays 1000.

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