Struggling to Meet Macro Goals/Gain Weight with Gastroparesis

1turtledove
1turtledove Posts: 4 Member
edited November 27 in Introduce Yourself
Hello,

I want to thank MyFitnessPal for this app because it has literally helped me keep myself together as I struggle with a life-long condition of gastroparesis that has only been recently diagnosed. It has really been a difficult challenge, but the healthier and more vigilant I eat, I am successful! This app has been of tremendous support to me, and this is my first post.

My dietician recommends that my macro breakdown consist of 60% carbs, and 20% each fat/protein. I need high carbs and low fat, though it sounds like dieting as most people know it, in reverse. Because I must eat small meals 5-6 times a day (provided I can balance my macros adequately), I am still losing control of portion sizes and over-eating--and my stomach only holds 1.5-2 cups combined liquid/solid content per meal, so, it is a challenge to say the least!!

I am a very active person. I spend a lot of time hiking, gardening, volunteering, and doing moderate yoga. I am an avid walker and casual bike rider. I welcome ideas or suggestions from the community on how I might better balance my macros in my new diet/lifestyle while trying to gain a few pounds and remaining an active and contributing member to my household and in my environment!

Thank you for suggestions in advance, and encouragement is greatly appreciated:)

Namaste,

1turtledove

Replies

  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I also have gastroparesis and Crohn's disease. I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in Nov after being severely ill. I can't really eat much at all and am on the downward spiral right now (I'm very underweight). I recently tried botox injections but it didn't work. Going to try again but probably will need a feeding tube or tpn. When I can eat I do low fiber and low fat.
  • 1turtledove
    1turtledove Posts: 4 Member
    Thank you for reaching out. This feels a bit isolating at times and the anxiety is a struggle as well. I am told I have a mild case and when my Gastro doctor told me that I felt so blessed because I was surely on the downward spiral. I am lucky I can still eat soft or easy to swallow foods but my “before gastroparesis” menu items are pretty much gone. I have been severely mal-nourished for too many years to undo some of the complications that have occurred without the aid of prescription medication and I don’t like to accept that so I minimize my use of Reglan and such and take the diet route straight off grid. Colace helps, but not as well. I find though, that this is ok. It’s just the memory of the flavors of lots of foods now. I send encouragement to you in your nutritional endeavors and with digestive disorders and hugs as well. Please feel free to chat again!!
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Why low fat? Does gastroparesis make it harder to digest fat?
  • 1turtledove
    1turtledove Posts: 4 Member
    Yes. Natural fats are easier to digest, avocado, coconut, olive oil. Other fats do not breakdown as easily and the body cannot absorb them and can exasperate symptoms leading to further malnutrition, unintentional weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Then why can't you eat more natural fat?
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Fat slows down gastric emptying that's why we have to avoid it beyond minimal levels
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    1turtledove wrote: »
    Thank you for reaching out. This feels a bit isolating at times and the anxiety is a struggle as well. I am told I have a mild case and when my Gastro doctor told me that I felt so blessed because I was surely on the downward spiral. I am lucky I can still eat soft or easy to swallow foods but my “before gastroparesis” menu items are pretty much gone. I have been severely mal-nourished for too many years to undo some of the complications that have occurred without the aid of prescription medication and I don’t like to accept that so I minimize my use of Reglan and such and take the diet route straight off grid. Colace helps, but not as well. I find though, that this is ok. It’s just the memory of the flavors of lots of foods now. I send encouragement to you in your nutritional endeavors and with digestive disorders and hugs as well. Please feel free to chat again!!

    Thanks. My gastroparesis is pretty new but I'm not new with GI diseases. Mu gastroparesis developed a few months after I had a total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy for Crohn's. Very frustrating.
  • COGypsy
    COGypsy Posts: 1,354 Member
    My gastroparesis lives somewhere between remission and mild. I don't have too many flareups these days. A couple of tricks--I have a TON of 2-cup food containers and pretty much eat everything out of those. It's helpful for meal prep and has the bonus effect of keeping portions in a size my stomach can handle easily. I eat mostly frozen vegetables, they seem to cause fewer problems than raw or grilled veg. Potatoes have become my best friend-- sweet, gold, white -- baked, mashed, smashed, roasted, air fried....good for calories, good for potassium and easy to digest! I eat more protein than you're aiming for, but have to keep it balanced to watch fat. Proteins are lean and cut small and chewed thoroughly. I do use protein powder as well, but pretty much only the Syntrax Nectar brand. The Nectar proteins have a juice-like consistency rather than the milkshake consistency of most other whey proteins, so I can nearly always get some protein in, even if my stomach isn't playing nicely. Nuts I can only eat sparingly, maybe a quarter of a cup max per day. I've lately discovered that my per meal absolute maximum for fat is 20g. More than that and my gastric emptying slows to a crawl. I tried a couple of keto meal prep recipes just because they sounded good and different--the amount of fat per serving was fine for my calories, but led to many, many days of misery! That was when my new per meal fat limit came into play!

    Mostly it's just been trial and error. Hopefully you'll find the combo that works well for you!
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