Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; Help! My weight has dropped too low!

The NSD/paleo diet is working extremely well, but I just found out last night that I've dropped 20 lbs. I was already underweight, but I'm currently only 110 lbs at 6 ft. I'm getting really skeletal/scary.

I'm not able to eat even the safe carbs like sweet potato and winter squash. I'm not currently eating nuts, dairy, or eggs, but I need to add something soon.

I'm eating 2 avocados a day and huge helpings of various meats. Eating tons of non-starch veggies (like greens/broccoli). Also eating spoonfuls of coconut oil. Weight is still dropping.

Any advice is sorely needed right now! Big thanks!!

My weight is around 105lbs. It is very difficult to
gain weight on NSD.
Similar to you, I eat a lot of meat but eating meat
doesnt seem to help gain weight.
You can try coconut milk and nuts. Both of them are
high in calories and fat.

I can't use the canned coconut because of guar gum. I was eating fresh coconuts, but I'm worried blending the pulp with the liquid was too fibrous for healing. I think I need to try it again at this point!

Wow, you have me beat.... I am 5'10 and my scary low was 108. I wanted to wear a t-shirt explaining that No, I did not have an eating disorder.

Something that helped me gain weight was acupunture. I did it aimed at healing my stomach for a few months. I was able to find a "community acupuncture" place, so it did not break the bank. In the first month I gained 10 lbs and then it kept going. Now, like every other bride-to-be in history, I am wondering if I can drop a few poinds by "the big day"... lol...;)

Something else that helped me gain a good amount of weight was salmon heads. They are mostly fat. Also, I was able to cut way down on my fish oil suppliments, as I sure they contain a ton of Omega oils. Just be careful of your digestion, as they are soooo fatty. Also, try to get wild heads, as farmed salmon is SCARY (!!!!!!).

I have tons of oils in my diet. Not just olive oil and coconut oil as some people suggest. (btw: I have heard that coconut oil can actually increase your metabolism, but do not know if this is true) Those are the only two I consider heating up, but I use the others on my prepared food by the bucket full. I really love them and they add a lot to my diet. I will write them in my order of happiness: pecan oil, hazelnut oil, toasted sesame oil, walnut oil, macademia nut oil, and pumpkin seed oil. No, wait, they all make me crazy happy (and fat!). I also include flax/borage oil (yuck), but that is for health reasons.....

Are you willing to try any nuts/seeds? I tried skinless almonds initially and that was a disaster. It made me gun shy. But over the past 2 years I figured out I tolerate tahini (sesame paste), pumpkin seed butter, roasted macademia nuts and brazil nuts (and butter- YUM!)really well.

I also make a lot of beef broth. While eating it without skimming off the fat almost killed me once, my favorite hobby is eating the stuff that hardens at the top as it cooks. I have also been known to dip nori into the fat while it is cooking and eat that, sheet after sheet. Happy fat!

Do you eat chicken? There is something to be said for the skin.

Also, initially I was very strict about eating before bed, as it is not supposed to be great for digestion. I threw that out the window and gained another 10 pounds.

You WILL figure this out, it just takes time.

Very good advice above. If you're willing to try nuts/seeds/berries you could do a nice big bowl of nuts, mixed berries, and a little (safe) applesauce or splash of agave after dinner. I actually had to cut back on this treat as I gained a few pounds on it. Macadamia nuts are great, and if you can tolerate walnuts they're great too. Applesauce is tricky and needs to be tested w/iodine before eating it.

I'm going to try to add macadamia nuts in this week, but I'm going to soak them and dry them to make them more digestible (hopefully):

http://thenourishingcook.com/2010/01/crispy-walnuts/

Haven't tried the nut oils to see if I can tolerate them, but that should be next. I guess I'm at the stage now where I'll just have to keep trying things. If I flare - I won't eat it again.

Thanks guys - this support is so wonderful. I'm feeling like a lonely alien right now with this weird diet. (But it works!!)

I think the acupuncture idea is a great one if you can find an effective practitioner. My former acupuncturist helped many folks lose weight (for the seriously obese, he used a particular type of needle that can be left in). I wish I could have packed him up and brought him with me when I moved down here since he was so effective. Another acupuncturist I tried helped people having trouble conceiving, conceive successfully. He could not help me but apparently he was helpful to others. It only makes sense that they may be able to help you gain weight.

Has your doctor checked for malabsoption? My former doctor simply discerned this by how I presented clinically and simply looking at the low protein (albumin, globulin) reading from my CBC. Protein malabsorption, yes. However, his belief was that more protein was not necessary and would be unhelpful. His belief was that it was biofilms causing the problem.

Another potential solution is IV Vitamin C or maybe a Myers Cocktail (IV nutrients also). Back at the beginning of 2009 I was down to 140 lbs. Freaked me out. I don't think I was that light when I had UC and was crapping my guts out. I'm somewhere between 6' and 6'1" unless I've shrunk due to this crap disease. Too few pounds for this kid. I saw a MD who did this IV nutrition and I swear that was what helped. Should you be interested, there is a MD up around Ellijay that is pretty reasonable if you want to make the trek. Otherwise, I'm sure you can find one in your area or close to Atlanta.

Lindy,

Try making your own cocnut milk:

Grate up the coconut flesh, or what I do is peel it off in strips with a vege peeler, then whizz it up in a blender with some boiling water till it's all a pulp. Then strain it through muslin/cheesecloth or even a strainer for the really high fat rich creamy coconut cream.

Put all the fibre back in the blender with more boiling water (less than the first time...) whizz it again (and strain it) and you have coconut milk that is not nearly as rich and creamy as the 'first pressing'. Then discard the fibre if you want - I partially dry mine on a tray and use it in muffins, cakes etc. (I keep it in the fridge and use it within a few days, but I'm guessing you could dry it 'properly' in a food dehydrator or a slow oven and keep it on the shelf...?)

Hi Lindy!

I actually e-mailed Loren Cordain about the Paleo diet and weight loss back in 2007. He is the author of the Paleo Diet book. I too was very thin around the time I tried the diet. He responded with a lenghty e-mail about the paleo diet, weight loss and autoimmune diseases. I kept the e-mail and I am reading it as I respond to your post. Dr. Cordain suggests eating more fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. He also mentions eating more olive oil and avocados. He also mentions fattier meats while keep an eye on your cholesterol levels. I then got an e-mail from a nutritionist on Dr. Cordain's staff. He simply said you need to train yourself to eat a lot more than normal on the paleo diet.

Hope this helps,

Craig

Craig - I'd LOVE that email from Cordain if you could send it to me (I emailed his research assistant Trevor just a couple days ago). I'll private message my email to you if you can.

The coconut milk is an awesome idea, Louise! I'll try this today. Very excited to get my weight back to normal.

Thanks so much, guys! I've been extremely worried I wouldn't be able to keep going on the diet. Love this support group!!