Whether you have been a patient for a long time or are new to it, there are times when you can't keep enough weight on.There are diseases that can cause weight loss.Symptoms like nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite make it hard to eat.The types of food and drinks you can consume can be limited by your nutrition needs.Changing your diet and lifestyle can help you gain weight.
Step 1: Talk to your doctor.
Many centers offer nutrition education to their patients.Gaining weight in a safe and healthy way is something you should talk to your doctor about.If you want to gain weight, you need to add calories to your diet.Gaining large amounts of weight quickly is not ideal.The best ways to add calories to your diet should be discussed with your dietitian.Food choices will be limited as a patient.To get a more specific idea about what to do, you may want to ask for a weight gain meal plan from your dietitian.Discuss supplemental options as well.Ensure or boost are often prescribed to help people get the nutrition they need while increasing calories.
Step 2: You should increase your calories.
You need to increase your calories to gain weight.Slowly add calories and keep an eye on your weight.You want to gain a small amount of weight each week.It's not a good idea to use high fat foods to gain weight.250 to 500 calories added daily.This will result in a weight gain over a week.It increases your daily calories needs.You have to account for this in your calculations.
Step 3: Don't eat big meals.
It might be easier for you to eat small snacks and meals throughout the day if food is not appealing to you.A lot of the time, patients suffer a loss of appetite after treatment.The causes of appetite loss should be reported to your doctor and dietitian.If you don't like eating, try having a few bites of a snack or meal.If you want to get in a few calories, skip the whole meal.You can either do a combination of larger, more regular meals with smaller snacks or you can eat five to six small meals a day.
Step 4: You should eat more "free" foods.
"free" foods are foods that add calories to your diet without adding any extra salt, calcium, or magnesium into your body.Sugar, honey, jelly, syrup, and jam are free foods.They include vegetable fats like margarine and vegetable oils.It's a good idea to eat hard candy throughout the day to help ease your nausea and boost your appetite.You can add honey or sugar to beverages to make them sweeter.Also drink beverages that have sugar in them.You can increase calories by putting margarine or vegetable oils on your meals.
Step 5: There are foods that are high in calories.
You can easily gain weight by consuming calories dense foods.There are ways to increase the calories in your food.Cream cheese, half and half, sour cream, and cream are some of the high calories foods that are generally safe for patients on dialysis.Add sour cream to scrambled eggs or drink heavy cream in coffee if you want to incorporate these higher fat foods.You should stick with options that will help you with your nutrition.It's usually safe to eat puffed rice treats, plain wafer cookies, puddings made with non-dairy creamer, and cobblers or pies with allowed fruits.
Step 6: Supplemental drinks, powders, and bars can be used.
Adding a mix of drinks and foods provides you with additional calories.You may be able to gain weight more easily if you use these in addition to your meals.If you want the best results, look for supplements that have the right balance of vitamins and minerals for your specific needs.If you have a low albumin level, your doctor may prescribe some of these supplemental drinks and foods.According to the 2005 European Best Practices Guidelines, people who are undergoing dialysis should consume 1.2 to 1.3 g of protein a day.Through various mechanisms, this will help combat protein loss.
Step 7: High concentrations of the two minerals are not advisable.
If you're trying to gain weight, you still need to reduce your consumption of the two minerals.When your kidneys are damaged or weakened, the minerals in your blood can become toxic.Heart damage and osteoporosis can be caused by too much phosphorus.Too much potassium can be dangerous for your heart.Some foods contain higher concentrations of phosphorus and should be avoided.Patients with End Stage Renal Disease are at risk for secondary hypoparathyroidism.This is usually due to the high levels of PTH.Some patients may need a parathyroidectomy.
Step 8: Moderate amounts of aerobic activity should be included.
It's important to be physically active.If you are trying to gain weight, vigorous intensity or high quantities of physical activity might not be suitable.A lot of the side effects of dialysis are fatigue and exhaustion.Most health professionals recommend small amounts of activity.You can walk for 15 minutes twice a day.Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.If you experience any pain, stop immediately.Don't work out for long periods of time if you want to gain weight.Even if only for a short time, being active can help patients feel better and improve their quality of life.
Step 9: Light strength training should be included.
Losing lean muscle mass is a side effect of dialysis.Strength training can help.Light strength training exercises can be done using resistance bands, yoga or modified weight lifting.For more information, seek the assistance of a personal trainer or exercise specialist.Light resistance training can help improve muscle mass, strength and quality of life.
Step 10: Stress and other emotions can be managed.
It's normal to feel stress, anger, and even depression if you're receiving a transplant.Some or all of these emotions may cause a decrease in appetite.You have to make a variety of lifestyle and diet changes when you receive a transplant.Managing these changes may help reduce appetite suppression related to them.You can use your resources at your center to help manage your personal life, medications, treatment, and emotional health.Seek the help of a behavioral therapist, life coach or psychologist.
Step 11: You should talk to your doctor.
You need to work with your team.Health professionals will be able to help with diet and weight gain.A qualified nephrologist, dietician, and social worker make up the majority of the teams.The most important person to talk to about weight gain and diet is your dietitian.He or she can teach you more about the best foods to eat for your new diet.The doctor who specializes in your kidneys is your nephrologist.You will need to work closely with him or her throughout your treatment and consult on every aspect of your recovery, including your diet.You might be able to get a cookbook from a social worker at the center.If finances are an issue for you, he or she can contact agencies that can help you get the food you need.
Step 12: There is an anti-nausea medication.
Severe nausea can be caused by Dialysis.This is a big reason for your weight loss and difficulty reaching a healthy weight.Ask your doctor for a prescription for anti-nausea medication.It is possible to eat more regular meals if you take these regularly.Make sure to tell your team if you're feeling unwell.Try to have something in your stomach.Saltine crackers can calm your stomach.If you don't clear your over-the-counter medications with your doctor, they can be dangerous.There are two different types of anti-emetic medications that can help with nausea.Discuss these medications with your doctor.
Step 13: Get a prescription.
The use of a special multivitamin is recommended by your nephrologist to address your nutrition needs.If you're not eating well or have little appetite, this will be helpful.There are vitamins designed for patients with chronic diseases.They are safe and won't cause harm to your organs.You should not rely on it alone.If you take food instead of an artificial substance, your body will absorb most of the vitamins and minerals.Ensuring you're meeting the daily recommended values of most essential vitamins can be done with the help of multi vitamins.They aren't enough to help you gain a lot of weight.Don't take vitamins, minerals or herbal supplements without your doctor's approval.If they are not appropriate for you, they can cause harm.