Supplements/shakes help with weight gain/muscle growth

[M_Wilcox20]

Hey guys I’ve finally got the urge to dig into finding ways to help my weight gain but get that muscle back as well. I’m 27 diagnosed with Crohns’ Colitis when I was 11. Graduated at 175 lbs but because of issues I lost over 35 lbs. I’m back to 145 but fluctuate into the 130’s. I’m really sick of being skinny, especially at 6’ 1”, and don’t like how I look.

My diet consists of vegetables and fruits I have planted myself and proteins from the farm, mountains, and waterways. I can only eat so much so I have no luck gaining any weight. Also, with a little kid and a very active life style, it seems to me I just burn through any and all nutrients I put into my body. Makes me feel like a one step forward two steps back scenario.

Im asking for any thoughts and ideas from people like me because no one else understands. What supplements do you add to your day? Extra protein shakes a day? A specific diet? MORE exercise?? If I can get pointed in the right direction, maybe I can get back what I lost.

 

[armandd]

Hey guys I’ve finally got the urge to dig into finding ways to help my weight gain but get that muscle back as well. I’m 27 diagnosed with Crohns’ Colitis when I was 11. Graduated at 175 lbs but because of issues I lost over 35 lbs. I’m back to 145 but fluctuate into the 130’s. I’m really sick of being skinny, especially at 6’ 1”, and don’t like how I look.

My diet consists of vegetables and fruits I have planted myself and proteins from the farm, mountains, and waterways. I can only eat so much so I have no luck gaining any weight. Also, with a little kid and a very active life style, it seems to me I just burn through any and all nutrients I put into my body. Makes me feel like a one step forward two steps back scenario.

Im asking for any thoughts and ideas from people like me because no one else understands. What supplements do you add to your day? Extra protein shakes a day? A specific diet? MORE exercise?? If I can get pointed in the right direction, maybe I can get back what I lost.

I'm waiting for suggestions like yours.

 

[Delta_hippo]

Shakes, definitely. In addition to meals rather than instead of. Use high fat ingredients like avocado, canned coconut milk (biona sell an additive free version, in the UK at least), almond butter, even a teaspoon of coconut oil. Then chuck in your banana, spinach, berries or whatever floats your boat.
Some soup can also be calories up with nut butter or a blob of creamer fraiche or a dash of olive oil.
I really struggled to put weight back on for ages and it was only when I added a daily smoothie and counted calories and looked for ways to add calories to each meal that I made progress (add cream or butter to scrambled egg, put half an avocado as an addition to many meals, add butter to lots of cooked veg). Also have healthy snacks to hand - hard boiled egg, cold sausages, flapjacks, full fat yoghurt.
If you want smoothies inspiration try the Umass website where they talk about IBD-AID diet - lots of Crohn’s friendly ideas.
In the UK you can get Nakd snack bars which are quite high calorie and the cocoa orange one is edible (blueberry muffin less so)
Good luck!

 

[Delta_hippo]

Sorry about my auto correct creamer fraiche should read creme fraiche.
I also found using a calorie counting app very helpful (fitness pal it was called) to motivate eating another snack or putting an extra ingredient in the smoothie and also just to see how much nutrition you are actually getting- no point lifting weights until you are taking in a good maybe 3000 calories a day I’d have thought

 

[M_Wilcox20]

I'm waiting for suggestions like yours.

Been trying for 6 years or so. Flat out can’t find a dietician near me within driving distance to see.

 

[M_Wilcox20]

Sorry about my auto correct creamer fraiche should read creme fraiche.
I also found using a calorie counting app very helpful (fitness pal it was called) to motivate eating another snack or putting an extra ingredient in the smoothie and also just to see how much nutrition you are actually getting- no point lifting weights until you are taking in a good maybe 3000 calories a day I’d have thought

Thanks for a starting point. Regular protein shakes and so called healthy shakes I’ve tried before just ruin me within minutes. I use to get hemp protein and do a lot of insta pot stews that are pre packaged. I like the calorie counter idea. Probably start that tomorrow right off just so I can see how much I’m actually takin in on a daily bases. Right now being really busy I usually just do a banana or apple in the morning with a protein bar and usually a coffee and a gallon of water throughout the day. As well as canned deer and elk stews I make every season. But by noonish one o’clock I’m going to the store cause I’ve already eaten my lunch box and any snack I can get ahold of!

 

[ravii_39]

I am also in the same boat tried protien shakes and heavy meals still no growth

 

[my little penguin]

Have either of you spoken to your Gi ?
Must Gi have samples of shakes that are more broken down and easier for the gut to absorb

in the US at least
The is peptamen (semi elemental) shake that the GI can prescribe .
These are much easier on the gut than boost or endure (polymeric formula )

there is also elemental formula which is amino acid based
These are brands like vionex ready to feed
Elemental tastes horrible but only needs a few inches of healthy intestine to absorb the nutrients

definitely talk to your Gi
Shakes can help a lot
They helped my kiddo grow and gain like crazy

Good luck