eating enough with medical restrictions

Kelseyyyy22
Kelseyyyy22 Posts: 46 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
For the next six weeks I'm on a gluten-free dairy-free peanut-free soy-free tomato-free limited-pork diet. I was a vegetarian but I'm thinking i may have to do the unthinkable and start eating animals again because I'm also supposed to gain 10 lbs over those same six weeks! I don't know how my doctor expects me to do this. Oh yeah, and I'm supposed to aim for high fiber, calcium, and protein. HOW?

Replies

  • theoriginaljayne
    theoriginaljayne Posts: 559 Member
    A few suggestions:
    Almond butter, raw nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens (like kale), lentils, beans, rice, soups, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, and oats.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Going gluten, dairy, soy free isn't hard at all. Welcome to my life! Hello!

    Oatmeal, hemp protein powder, nut butters (other than peanut - I swear by Justin's nut butter -> justinsnutbutter.com), blackstrap molasses, kale, spinach ect. It's not that difficult, I promise. Hit up the blog world, allergen friendly blogs are really popular, if you need help with GF stuff celiacs.com is a helpful tool. Also, there is a GF group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/129-gluten-free

    Why do you need to be "limited pork" I have never heard of such a thing, I mean, out side of Kosher/Halal dietary restrictions.
  • Losing2Live69
    Losing2Live69 Posts: 743 Member
    Why do you have all of those restrictions? Are you allergic or what? My nephew is gluten-free, dairy-free, dye free and I see the difficulty my sister has preparing his meals. She spends nearly $500 a month on foods from Whole foods for him. I couldn't imagine having all those restrictions.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Why do you have all of those restrictions? Are you allergic or what? My nephew is gluten-free, dairy-free, dye free and I see the difficulty my sister has preparing his meals. She spends nearly $500 a month on foods from Whole foods for him. I couldn't imagine having all those restrictions.

    Why does it cost so much/why does she use WF? That sounds ridiculously steep to me, unless she's buying a lot of processed allergen free foods and can't feed him fresh veggies I don't see how it can be so expensive.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    I am vegetarian, grain-free (no rice, corn, sorghum either), dairy-free, and allergic to some nuts and other bits and pieces. I've never had trouble gaining weight! Lots of higher fat and higher cal foods out there. Just finished off the last of the peanut butter cookies my son made. Nuts, seeds, avocado, daiya cheese, eggs if you're not vegan, oils in limited amounts, unrefined sweeteners, chickpeas, coconut milk, add boosters to smoothies.

    Pam
  • Losing2Live69
    Losing2Live69 Posts: 743 Member
    Why do you have all of those restrictions? Are you allergic or what? My nephew is gluten-free, dairy-free, dye free and I see the difficulty my sister has preparing his meals. She spends nearly $500 a month on foods from Whole foods for him. I couldn't imagine having all those restrictions.

    Why does it cost so much/why does she use WF? That sounds ridiculously steep to me, unless she's buying a lot of processed allergen free foods and can't feed him fresh veggies I don't see how it can be so expensive.

    Where we live, other than a local health food store, there is nowhere to buy foods that my nephew can eat. Whole Foods is just where she does her shopping. He is 9 and he is autistic. He was tube fed until he was 5 do to other medical problems. He does eat things like potatoes, sweet potatoes, but he has issues with textures. He even has to go to feeding therapy. She buys him foods he will eat like special dairy free cheese, butter, and sour cream, chips, cookies, pasta, ice cream. special flours to bake with.....those kind of foods are expensive.
  • Kelseyyyy22
    Kelseyyyy22 Posts: 46 Member
    Thanks guys! It's a trial diet for eczema and general inflammation. At the end of six weeks it'll probably be waaaay fewer (I hope!). The complicating factors are that I live with my parents, work at a pizza restaurant four dinners a week, and have a limited budget for these alternative foods. And that I need to gain weight still. My diet has consisted of a LOT of whole milk, peanut butter, and pizza (it's whole-wheat organic veggie-heavy pizza that we sell at work) as a means to gaining weight and it's still been slow...I don't know why. But I definitely am having trouble now!
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    If you have Celiac disease, you may not be able to gain weight until your gut starts to heal. Your body cannot absorb enough of what you are eating. Have you been tested? The eczema and inflammation may be a side effect of CD. Be sure to completely avoid gluten - no whole wheat pizza - and see how you respond. My dad gained back about 20 lbs in his first month off of gluten.

    Dairy products can be problems for celiacs as well. And it can be bad for eczema and inflammation. Pay attention to how your body responds. Have you read The Anti-Inflammation Diet? http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Inflammation-Diet-Recipe-Book-Arthritis/dp/0897934857

    Pam
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    I'm not sure why several people have suggested kale, other than it is the latest superfood. You're not going to gain weight eating kale . . . you'll get full too soon. While the kale is great for vitamins, you need to supplement with foods that are much more calorie dense.
  • spyder_rose
    spyder_rose Posts: 193 Member
    I'm dairy and soy free.. My sister is gluten free. I bake. A LOT. It's easier to stick to your diet that way. Eat lots of fresh stuff... and almonds are great. There's a lot on the market that accommodates for people with allergies. I'm not sure where you are. In the US it appears they have a bigger and better range in general, but in Australia it isn't too bad (though soy is in a LOT here).

    If you need any recipes for things or want any hints, feel free to message me.

    Hayley :)
  • Kelseyyyy22
    Kelseyyyy22 Posts: 46 Member
    I'm in the US and there seems to be a pretty good market...but how do you guys do when you're eating out together? I so far haven't found any restaurants that I can really go to. Obviously just looking for ideas here since it sounds like we're on different continents!
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    stir fries (add what nuts and sauces you can for extra calories, avoid soy sauce/teriyaki/etc.)
    salads (add salad dressing and mayo for extra calories)
    Mexican (check the ingredients!) bean & veggie tacos, no cheese or sour cream
    french fries (if a dedicated fryer)
    baked potato with salsa or salad dressing
    carry food with you to supplement, eg. nuts, pop-top beans, etc.
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