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Help Please.
Started
by Nicole
on January 19, 2010
Hello I am a 15 year old girl and have been a vegan for about 3 months and a vegetarian for about 3 years. About a year ago I stopped having my periods. I know that this is because I don't weigh enough, i.e. not enough fat ( I am 5 feet 5 inches and weigh 94 pounds on a good day). I would like to know how I can gain weight in a healthy way while still being vegan. Thanks!
Hi Nicole,
I have always been underweight, infact according to doctors charts I'm "severely underweight"!
I found that since becoming vegetarian a bit over 2yrs ago, I have actually gained a couple of kilos - yay! I think it might be because I'm eating healthier, therefore getting more nutrients into my body to help with sustenance, but heck, I'm just happy that what I'm doing is working!
I'm also interested to see what other people think though, as I'm in the process of becoming vegan (although really the only thing I need to cut out is cheese and honey, everything else I've already ditched).
If you find the secret to a few extra kilos, please let me know too :-)
Hi NIcole and Tara,
I am also thin. For a guy it's difficult ( we are supposed to be bigger). I lost a lot of weight when I changed my diet and family and friends freaked out.
I am uncomfortable with the way I look but was only ever boarderline underweight according to the BMI chart.
I've been eating a block of tofu per day and over the past few months I've gained ten pounds. Tofu has a lot of fat and is cheap and easy to throw in whatever.
Nut butters are also a good way to pack in calories and fat. Almond butter is a good choice I just don't know how to not eat the whole jar in one sitting.
Avocados work as well. The superhero plan with a few of these supplements should have you closer to the normal range in a few months.
Good luck Justin
Hi all,
I'm reasonably familar with this problem myself so here is my advice:
1. for me the problem sorted itself out to a certain extent when I reached about 20/21. I think that your body devotes a lot of energy to growth and puberty for quite a few more years than you realise but, when you hit you late teens or early twenties this calms down and therefore you start to put on weight quite naturally
2. Justin is totally right about avocados - and they're great for your skin too!
3. Try and look at those around you that have similar diets and compare what you eat to what they eat - are you really eating enough or are your portions comparatively small? Perhaps look at recipes in book for guidance about how much you should be eating
4. keep nori rolls and similar on hand for snacks throughout the day.
5. Croutons are a great way to up the calorie count of salads and soups
S
Hi Nicole,
I think you should just focus on building your meals properly. In the book Alicia describes how to build meals, making sure you have the veggies, grains and protein. By making sure you have the right quantities and components at each meal your body will process the food and store the food in the right way.
Focus on grain intake, and complex carbohydrates which will fill you up and your body can digest it easily and use it for energy.
I think you should focus on eating healthily and again making sure you use the right components at each meal, rather than trying to put on weight. Only because sometimes when we're trying to do something, it gets stuck in our heads and it can become a bit negative and troubling and annoying if it doesn't happen immediately.
As long as you're eating healthily and getting all the right nutrients, proteins, vegetables and carbs you'll find that you will get to the right weight for your body.
best of luck. x
Also eat foods high in iron so that you are not tending to be a little anemic. That may help with your periods. I eat tons of spinach everyday.
Thank you so much everybody! :)
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