Food ideas??

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Concerto -> Food ideas?? (7/3/2009 5:17:25 PM)
Hi everyone: Stats: Husband/wife/5 year old child I (husband) am 6'2" and grossly underweight. I need to gain about 30 to 40 pounds. Just getting 2000 calories a day seems so expensive. Any good ideas for food (not junk food) for some one who really needs to gain weight? I am saving up for protein supplements, but, until then, with food costs so high, not sure what to do. Right now, budget for about $600.00 per month. Too high? Too low? We don't really eat out anymore. Appreciate suggestions... C

Wild-Rose -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/3/2009 5:28:04 PM)
Here is my advice for the most food for the least money and least work. Buy a roaster chicken. Not a fryer which is only 4 or 5 pounds, but a roaster that is more like 7 pounds. Take the paper off, take out the giblets, and rinse off the bird. Salt and pepper and any other spices you like. We like to stick a whole head of garlic in the cavity. How much work is that? About 2 minutes. Roast the bird for about 1 1/2 hour or maybe 2 hours . This is enough meat for about 3 days and on the 4th day you make soup with the bones. Roasted garlic is wonderful, so please try that idea too. When it is taken out of the chicken it will be mushy. You squeeze it like toothpaste on to your potato or bread. Or you can use it to make garlic butter. Yummy. Don't waste the giblets either. I like to eat the liver and I use the other parts to make broth. Then you can either make gravy or you can add the broth to the soup that you make the 4th day. Eat this meal with plenty of bread and potatoes and you will gain weight.

crankius -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/3/2009 5:34:40 PM)
Wild-Rose, I think I gained five pounds just reading your post. [sm=tonguehappy.gif]

3cappuccinosmom -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/3/2009 6:22:16 PM)
Really good idea about the chicken.[:)] I'm fat, so I skim off the fat from soups and don't use the gravy, but if you need to gain wait, lucky you, you can keep that all in! Legumes are also pretty cheap and combined with brown rice (check out bulk buying, I can get it for .89c/lb here) is a good protein source. Well-cooked lentils, or black beans and rice are good ways to fill up cheaply. Ground beef isn't that expensive, and again instead of draining the fat you can keep it in. For cooking oil, get a bulk jug of olive oil and use it freely. We are a family of 5 (two adults and three children) and my goal is to spend under $400/month. So far I've managed (barely, the last few months!). None of us are underweight even though we eat a lot of veggies, lots of fruit, very little junk food, and meat is a minimal part of our diet.

agapetos -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/3/2009 6:37:19 PM)
Hmmm... hate to ask, but is there any underlying reason why you are underweight (like thyroid probs)? I know that medical tests cost you money, but it's going to be pointless trying to gain weight if you have something wrong with you. I live in the UK and am single but you're spending a lot more than I do a month on food (when you take into account our different stats). I make a pretty similar meal to Wild-Rose ~ though I use a couple of heads of garlic (divided, but not peeled, into cloves) and herbs and sit the chicken on it. Then I use the chicken juices and garlic (as Wild-Rose does) to add to gravy, stock, whatever. You can also have rice with the dish ~ go for wholewheat bread and brown rice though (better for you). It's important to use the giblets and stuff as quickly as you can. It's worth checking your library out for cookery books ~ perhaps older ones with cuts of meat that were used in the past but no longer are. You'll often find them being sold cheap if you go to a butchers shop. Even in a supermarket, you'll be able to find cheaper cuts of meat that taste great if cooked properly. It is going to take research though ~ find out what meats the butcher/supermarket sells (don't just look at what you normally buy) and make notes of it... then head to the library or online and find recipes that sound good. You can 'pad out' a lot of recipes with beans and lentils (if someone doesn't like them, puree them and add to the gravy and they'll never know!). It may take a little longer ~ but if you don't, you need to start cooking from scratch. You can save a fortune that way ~ and I mean everything from mixes (for cakes and biscuits) to frozen (pancakes) and prepared meals. Do you have a garden? How about you start growing some of your own fruit and veggies? Even if you only have a little space, you can grow some things in pots. Most importantly ~ you (or your wife) need to make up meal plans. It will help reduce any wastage.

Mollymouser -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/3/2009 9:01:35 PM)
Eggs are a great source of protein.... don't forget eggs! Watch your grocery store and buy things when they go on sale ... especially when it comes to fresh meat and vegetables/fruits. Rice and beans are other great basics, as is whole grains ... whole grain breads, whole grain pastas, whole grain cereals.

W.O.F. -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/3/2009 11:41:22 PM)
hmmm...you've been given great advice on foods, and on getting tested by your doctor...so not going to go there except to say that if you go more vegetarian (more beans, etc) you can EASILY eat 2000+ calories. As for your food budget.... is that monthly? and how much does a gallon of milk cost where you live? The reason I ask is that a gallon of milk costs about $3.00 where I live...and I DO NOT spend $600 a month on groceries for a family of 7, which on constitutes my hubby, myself, our 18 year old daughter, our 15 year old son, 9 year old daughter, 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter. My suggestion is to meet with a nutritionist at your local hospital and get menu ideas from them concerning weight gain....AFTER meeting with your doctor to find out WHY you are underweight.....

peace77 -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/4/2009 9:13:26 AM)
Meeting with a nutritionist would possibly be a waste of money. When I worked for a nursing registry, I worked with a patient who needed to gain weight. My instructions were to add butter and sugar to as many foods/meals as possible. Not a healthy way to eat at all. Instead of butter, add some olive oil to your meals. Instead of sugar, use honey. What are you drinking? Drinking sweetened iced tea, milkshakes, and fruit smoothies can help you gain. The milkshakes and smoothies can be made at home. You can add your choice of protein powder, peanut butter, tofu, or eggs. If you don't have a blender, ask for one on your neighborhood chapter of Freecycle or ReUseit group. Do you like cheese? Adding cheese to recipes, sprinkling cheese on top or adding cheese sauce to vegetables is a good way to add calories. To save money, look for sales or ask for the end pieces at the deli counter (the end of the block that is too short to put in the slicing machine). Other recipe ideas: Red beans and rice - a Cajun favorite Lentils and brown rice Both dishes are best if you add a little sliced sausage. Peace, Anne

W.O.F. -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/4/2009 2:08:50 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: peace77 Meeting with a nutritionist would possibly be a waste of money. When I worked for a nursing registry, I worked with a patient who needed to gain weight. My instructions were to add butter and sugar to as many foods/meals as possible. Not a healthy way to eat at all. Instead of butter, add some olive oil to your meals. Instead of sugar, use honey. What are you drinking? Drinking sweetened iced tea, milkshakes, and fruit smoothies can help you gain. The milkshakes and smoothies can be made at home. You can add your choice of protein powder, peanut butter, tofu, or eggs. If you don't have a blender, ask for one on your neighborhood chapter of Freecycle or ReUseit group. Do you like cheese? Adding cheese to recipes, sprinkling cheese on top or adding cheese sauce to vegetables is a good way to add calories. To save money, look for sales or ask for the end pieces at the deli counter (the end of the block that is too short to put in the slicing machine). Other recipe ideas: Red beans and rice - a Cajun favorite Lentils and brown rice Both dishes are best if you add a little sliced sausage. Peace, Anne I have never heard a trained dietician/nutritionist recommend merely adding fat or sugar to their diet.....most have suggested eating more protein and making sure that one is eating a well-balanced diet...because not eating enough of any one nutrient can cause the body to starve itself (and be too thin) or overcompensate and hold on to all calories (and be overweight). Basically just adding a couple of healthy snacks...like an apple with cheese or Peanut butter and/or popcorn (with very little butter or salt) can increase calorie intake and increase body weight gain.

bolt. -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/5/2009 9:21:53 AM)
If you were to cook your meats in large portions (a family size roast beef, 2 or 3 whole chicken, a couple of pork roasts, hefty ham, a turkey etc.) then it would be easier for you to eat a meat serving at lunch and even breakfast, when you would ordinarily not think of a way to be getting a lot of protein. When you've cooked the whole thing, divide it up and make it into the way you would like to eat it (quarter chickens, sliced roast or turkey breast etc.) And freeze it in portions that make a good meal or snack. Invest in quality freezer bags, and squish the air out well, label them and stack them like bricks in your freezer. Thaw a bag full as needed. A sandwich with 4 substantial slices of roast meat is going to do a lot more for you than your average ham-and-cheese. Another excellent source of easy protein is shrimp. They sell big bags of frozen pre-cooked shrimp. Just thaw a handful by running warm water over them in a measuring cup and eat them cool in a wrap or salad, or quickly pan fry them to taste. Also, consider a breakfast cereal that has a high portion of protein due to including soy. You don't taste it, but it goes a lot farther. There are also protein powders that you can get to add to shakes etc. If you are feeling adventuresome, in cultures where beans such as soy, lentils and chick peas are common, they have made snack foods out of them. Try visiting an Asian ethnic store and looking for something like BBQ flavour roasted chick peas and the like. You will probably have a few bad experiences with flavours that just aren't working for our pallet -- but you should eventually find something likable. Nuts are not a bad idea in moderation. I have trouble eating nuts moderately though. You want some of that good stuff, but the fats are too much for anybody if you are eating more than a 1/4 cup in a serving. You could try pre-portioning them into zip-top bags. That occasionally works for me, but I usually overindulge anyways.

Pamsy -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/7/2009 12:46:53 AM)
Eating right before you go to bed may help you gain weight if it doesnt interfere with sleep. For myself, i sleep better if I eat something before bed.

sarah_t -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/7/2009 1:48:51 AM)
hi :-) I am not a dietician .... but just a note .... organ meats such as liver are often high in cholesterol.... While I realise you want to add weight, perhaps you might want to be careful with regards to saturated fats and cholesterol etc..... And I second [or third?] the suggestion to see a doctor to make sure there are no other medical problems that might be causing the underweight.

BlessedMamaofmany -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/7/2009 7:16:48 AM)
I would like to know more about your budget too. There are 7 people in my house...3 adults and 4 children. I spend about 400 a month. And that feeds us WELL. We eat lots of beans. Beans with a grain (like brown rice) make a complete protein and are tasty! I feed this to my kids, who are bottomless pits...and my husband, who is Army and works out like crazy. Everyone is satisfied. The other suggestions are fabulous! Sandy

Pamsy -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/10/2009 8:41:56 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: BlessedMamaofmany I would like to know more about your budget too. There are 7 people in my house...3 adults and 4 children. I spend about 400 a month. And that feeds us WELL. We eat lots of beans. Beans with a grain (like brown rice) make a complete protein and are tasty! I feed this to my kids, who are bottomless pits...and my husband, who is Army and works out like crazy. Everyone is satisfied. The other suggestions are fabulous! Sandy What else do you buy?

W.O.F. -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/11/2009 10:08:24 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Pamsy quote: ORIGINAL: BlessedMamaofmany I would like to know more about your budget too. There are 7 people in my house...3 adults and 4 children. I spend about 400 a month. And that feeds us WELL. We eat lots of beans. Beans with a grain (like brown rice) make a complete protein and are tasty! I feed this to my kids, who are bottomless pits...and my husband, who is Army and works out like crazy. Everyone is satisfied. The other suggestions are fabulous! Sandy What else do you buy? I can't answer for Blessed, but I also have a family of 7...and I spend between 300 to 500 a month (depends on the month). I buy meats on sale. We buy milk, cheese, bread, vegetables, cereals (both raw and prepared), flour, yeast, eggs, beans, rice, jello, occasional snack food, pasta, tomato sauces, juice (usually only orange juice), I try to stay away from prepared foods...you can buy 2 to 3 raw ingredients which will make two to 3 meals, for the price of one prepared food meal! It comes down to planning a menu off of things you have in cupboard, and then making grocery list off of any missing items....and sticking to that list! It also consists of keeping basics (like wheat flour, and brown rice) always on hand...using sales and coupons (but only for items you would normally buy). When I plan a menu...I plan breakfast, lunch and dinner/supper. A lot of times lunches are merely the leftovers from the night before (two meals for the price of one)....or using the leftovers to make a new meal (buying a LARGE roast and then using the leftover meat and gravy to make pot pie, or stew later in the week). My family eats very well. No one is underweight...and no one except myself is overweight..and I have been fighting my weight all my life since I blew my knees out in high school....it is me...lack of excercise and eating too much, that is the problem there. Planning before you go to the store, and staying away from prepared foods, will do wonders at keeping a budget low, as well as good, healthy, nutrient rich foods on the table.

BlessedMamaofmany -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/11/2009 5:14:38 PM)
Milk, juice, eggs, fruits/veg (frozen/canned out of season, fresh in season), meat (usually chicken or grd beef), flour, yeast, sauces (usually tomato), pasta, snacks (pretzels, graham crackers) I get on sale, and buy ''off brand'' for most 'cause I don't care and don't notice a difference. Eggs are the best bargain by far, I get them for 40 CENTS a dozen at a local farm. We keep it VERY simple for lunch, usually sandwiches, occasionally leftovers (though leftovers are becoming more rare [8D])..so it's mostly sandwiches. My kids LOVE that. In the summer I shop the Farmer's Market for our fresh produce and can and freeze as much as I can for the winter. In the winter, I buy frozen (on sale) or canned. I bake my own bread. I make my own sauces/gravies. Meat is usually part of a meal and not the main attraction. Excepting in the summer when we LOVE to grill!! Other than that, meat is usually part of a cassarole. Like WOF said, staying away from prepared ''convenience'' foods does wonders for your budget. I even make my own mac 'n cheese. Sandy

myka -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/13/2009 1:09:19 AM)
quote: I have never heard a trained dietician/nutritionist recommend merely adding fat or sugar to their diet.....most have suggested eating more protein and making sure that one is eating a well-balanced diet...because not eating enough of any one nutrient can cause the body to starve itself (and be too thin) or overcompensate and hold on to all calories (and be overweight). I have heard many of them recommend adding fat (specifically, because it is much higher in calories than other foods). One of the problems with a well-balanced diet (at least from a 'recommended dietary' standpoint) is that it tends to be low in calories -- most foods that have a lot of nutrients in them are low in calories. The thing about adding fat is that it tends to add calories without adding a lot of bulk (adding a lot of extra food).

W.O.F. -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/13/2009 6:55:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: myka quote: I have never heard a trained dietician/nutritionist recommend merely adding fat or sugar to their diet.....most have suggested eating more protein and making sure that one is eating a well-balanced diet...because not eating enough of any one nutrient can cause the body to starve itself (and be too thin) or overcompensate and hold on to all calories (and be overweight). I have heard many of them recommend adding fat (specifically, because it is much higher in calories than other foods). One of the problems with a well-balanced diet (at least from a 'recommended dietary' standpoint) is that it tends to be low in calories -- most foods that have a lot of nutrients in them are low in calories. The thing about adding fat is that it tends to add calories without adding a lot of bulk (adding a lot of extra food). I can't say that I agree. A well balanced diet consists of at least 2000 calories...easily, and for men...up to 2600 calories to get in all the vegetable, dairy and protein they need.

Mollymouser -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/13/2009 6:48:16 PM)
If someone wants to gain weight and is eating more fats ... may I recommend nuts and avocadoes and olives? (Healthy fats are better than non-healthy ones!) [sm=funny.gif]

coolfamily6 -> RE: Food ideas?? (7/21/2009 3:23:26 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Harvie If someone wants to gain weight and is eating more fats ... may I recommend nuts and avocadoes and olives? (Healthy fats are better than non-healthy ones!) [sm=funny.gif] This is true. Adding healthy fats to your diet and dairy (whole milk and cheeses) will help. You could also add breads to your meals.

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