help to maintain/increase weight

[RaspberryRed]

hi, can anyone offer any advice or tips to maintain my weight. I have pulmonary fibrosis and very low appetite. I have lost a lot of weight. I take Fortisip to supplement my tiny meals but still losing weight. My consultant wants me to consider PEG feeding which I really don’t want to do.

[Swizzy]

There are other, much better supplements than fortisip..soups and milkshakes. Get your GP to refer you to the dietician team. They come to the house. I have been seeing them for a year and I am a really difficult case. I hate all of the supplements and if I do get one down I don't have the space to eat anything.When I cook I am too worn out to eat it.The last dietician suggested that I give up bothering to cook and eat M&S mini meals which are protein enhanced and have Oakhouse or Wiltshire Farm foods frozen protein enhanced meals delivered

I have been doing this for 3 weeks. The meals are very nice and not expensive. I am spending less on my grocery shop and not wasting food. It is great to just go to the freezer and choose one.

Best thing - I have put on 2 pounds!

My bronch specialist was horrified that some other doctor had also duggested peg feeding to me.She said that it is really nasty and easy for it to get infected which is dangerous for us with lung problems. They can feed you overnight by a tube up your nose but I don't want anybody messing with me

[RaspberryRed in reply to Swizzy]

Thanks for your reply. I have had some telephone appointments with a community dietician but she just suggests making fortified milk, sent me a leaflet of milkshake recipes (most which I could never eat eg: with peanut butter) and adding things to food - like mayo and pesto. She’s never suggested other ready made supplements- I will look into it.

Thanks again.

[Swizzy in reply to RaspberryRed]

Yes I have had all the 'helpful' suggestions that you have.It amounts to nagging and giving you extra work to do which drains energy which the lung condition is already doing. This last dietitician is very senior.and noticed that I was consumed with anxiety over it all which is why she suggested stop cooking and get the meals. I love soup and have a soup maker so I make that for my lunches and buy deli.products and pizza in my ocado shop. I hope you find something which you enjoy.

[sassy59 in reply to Swizzy]

Great advice as always Swizzy. Pleased to hear you’ve put 2lb on. Well done. Xxx❤️🤗

[Swizzy in reply to sassy59]

Thankyou sassy. It is such a struggle and they all blame me for my failure to put on weight. I’ll keep eating the delivered ones!

[sassy59 in reply to Swizzy]

👍❤️😘🤞🏼 xxxx

[Dottie11]

I am having issues the same issues too. I agree with Swizzy the Marks mini meals are a great help. Because I am very fatigued due to lungs and Endocrine issues I tend to cook extra veg to add and will last in the fridge a day or two . I have been buying frozen roast potatoes for ease and weight gain. I have to try and have as many different flavours on my plate to keep my interest in eating up. Roast Parsnips are nice and sweet but nutritious and again batch cook to last. I try to have four vegtables on my plate lunchtime. I use frozen too. Home made soups with added bone broth which pushes the protein intake up. Avocado pear as good fat intake. I am cooking Marks sage and onion stuffing and eating a few squares a day. Again keep in fridge a few days. Lots of mash potato with butter and gravy. I do not eat sweets and my one sugar treat is a good quality mince pie with clotted cream, every day. I eat high dark choc a few squares most days too. A small square of cheese for Calcium once of twice. The main thing is try and eat protein with each meal and for me I have to keep switching to different flavours every couple of minutes when eating my food. I concentrate on eating my breakfast and lunch as my main meals. By teatime I struggle more. I have not lost any weight this week and my BMI is now just below normal. Hope something here helps. Take care. xx

[RaspberryRed in reply to Dottie11]

I do think I need to add more protein. I am the opposite to you - I’m really finding savoury food difficult and eat a lot of sweet, dairy based food and desserts to pad out my calories. I’ll try adding cheese. Thanks for your help.

[Dottie11 in reply to RaspberryRed]

I have to be careful with too much fat as have mild gallstones. As we age suppose to have protein in each meal. Sometimes I will use a protein powder if really off my food. Maybe try sweet veg, carrots, parsnip both are good for soups. Butter swede. milkshakes in the blender are easy as could add protein powder. Its a shame it is winter as ice cream is great too. Good luck and take care. xx

[Spacecat1]

My consultant put me on 1 a day predesolone tablet which helped me

[battison]

this is interesting as my hubby is loosing weight with worsening COPD. He’s terrible at telling doctors wot’s going on. Never complains just says ‘I’m fine’. Moving makes him breathless so he gets reluctant to move. Going down our steep stairs to kitchen, cooking, bringing it up is so difficult for him. I buy a lot of live yoghurt/keffir as probiotics help and those easy to eat proteins puddings. Easy protein at a gulp. Really hope you can find a way. Do keep us updated! X

[RaspberryRed in reply to battison]

Thank you, I might try some of the protein desserts.

[Xene]

Hi, I can relate to your problem and because of my acute dysphagia am unable to swallow solid food but am able to maintain my weight on liquid food supplements only. I have to dilute them with milk to make them more palatable and am hoping I can continue for as long as possible as I really don’t want a feeding tube fitted. Good luck.

[RaspberryRed in reply to Xene]

Thank you.

[Biker88]

It known as disease based malnutrition, I have been under the hospital dietitian and on several supplements, Ensure and Calagen. My weight is just in the acceptable BMI range now and holding stable. My dietician told me don’t touch any so called healthy foods as these all tend to be low calorie, plenty of full fat milk and cream and try mixing full fat dried milk powder on mashed potatoes and add it to sound etc. The NHS diet sheets for weight gain are useful and have some good ideas

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

Sorry that you are losing weight. It’s tricky isn’t it ?

I have been trying to manage pre diabetes blood sugar levels and take Roflumilast all of which resulted in me losing too much weight.

GP referred me to dietician and have an assessment appointment in March.

I have upped my protein intake big time and seem to holding my weight now. It has been fun to learn new high protein recipes - making a yogurt cake, yogurt ice cream ( easy) lentils too. Though appreciate that might not be your thing.

Wishing you well.

Pauline

[Ergendl]

Insist on a referral to a dietitian who has experience prescribing diets for your issues. Say no to PEG and ordinary food fortification advice when it's offered you instead.

Microwave meals are excellent because they take so little effort. I always recommended the Wiltshire Farm Foods ones, but it's good that M&S has started a range of foods for that same market. All easy to explore online.

[Tawny10]

I have same issues with PF.

I’ve started having a Complan drink daily & also keep some Cook meals in freezer for when I don’t fancy cooking. It’s so frustrating as I’ve always enjoyed food! I eat as often as I can, was enjoying crumpets & cheese but now gone off that…. Hopefully not for long!

Peg feeding sounds rather drastic when there are other options. Hopefully you can get referred to a dietitian

[Nula2]

I drink a supplement one glass a day(I get it on prescription) which contains lots of vitamins, calories and nutrients they are to help me put on weight because my BMI is so low (I'm a bag of bones🤪😅). Maybe ask your GP or specialist if you could try this. Lots of flavours to choose from. My favourite is the strawberry one. I also buy ready meals xxx