Gluten-free weight gain?

[Bambimo]

I am 5'9" at 112lbs, with a BMI of 16.5 (the ideal weight for my height is 140lbs and a healthy BMI is 18.5). I have a gluten allergy and have struggled with anorexia in the past. I'm afraid of relapsing, but I need to gain weight - I want to be healthy. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips as how to gain weight with a healthy, gluten-free diet, while maintaining a good figure.

[Bondi]

I have coelac diseas so as a fellow gluten sufferer my advice to you is this: stay away from anything they have to make specifically gluten free. Avoid all the cakes, breads, crackers, cereal bars etc... they've just replaced wheat grains with high GI grains like white rice or white potato startch. Stick to naturally gluten free foods, fish eggs, nuts, meats, complex carbohydrates; sweet potato, brown rice, natural popping corn (one of the only whole grains we can eat!) lots and lots of vegetables fruits as a snack or dessert healthy fats like macadamina nut oil, coconut oil, olive oil, avocados MUFAs. Do NOT be afraid of fat, fat does not make you fat SUGAR is the culprit. I have a much better figure now i eat this way, probably have more caloires, but from the right foods and your body thanks you for it. your plate should be Carbs > Protein > fat. in that order of amount. In terms of relapsing, try to change from wanting to be skinny like unwell catwalk models, to wanting to look healthy lean and fit, I also wholly recommend a book called "I can make you thin" by Paul McKenna, its changed my life! and i've got over so many emotional issues with food because of it I have it by my bed every night if i just want a quick scan.

[sweatgirl]

if you have a trader joes or whole foods store near you they carry a lot of great gluten free products their. I am gluten free/ wheat free and have had my struggles with anorexia so I understand the fear of relapse. try and eat every couple hours and eat a clean diet even though you are trying to gain weight. for example eat at 7,10, 1, 3, and 7. If you have either of those two stores their you should check out their gluten free bread, cereals and pasta its trial and errer though because some are better then others. If you eat rice they also have rice noodles and you can had some kind of gluten free sauce to it and some kind of protein so its like eating Chinese food, but much healthier. Some of the gluten free cereals are good, but again but that is trial and errer. if neither of those two stores are near then you can make your own meals using gluten free products or if you don't cook there are gluten free websites and you can get stuff sent to you. Best of luck.

[kheserthorpe]

I'm not sure why you say 'maintaining a good figure'. You're trying (rightly) to gain fat. So the foods that other people avoid to 'maintain a good figure' you need to eat more of.

You can (and perhaps should) by all means stay away from overprocessed garbage, but high calorie food is not inherently bad for you.

You need more calories.

If you don't want gluten, you're not looking at (typical) bread/pasta, though I think you can get gluten free ones.

Personally I would be eating tons of cheese, nuts, dairy and higher fat cuts of meat.

[texasgirl2]

well drinking pop tends to add weight, so don't drink diet. Same with coffee and other sugary drinks. They add about 5-10 pounds. I know most of the calories I consume daily are through drinks. Broccoli makes you gain a little weight, but it is still good for you. Obviously candy would make you gain weight, but its not really a healthy choice. Stick to fruits and vegetables and red meats and chicken. Eat 3 meals a day with average portions and your body will do the rest. You don't want to overeat or you will just gain weight and be unhealthy which will make you unhappy. Try visiting food pyramid websites and look for everything listed that you can eat and try to have the recommended servings.