Gain Weight With A Thyroid Problem

If too much thyroid hormone is released, body functions speed up. This often causes weight loss and the inability to gain it back. It's important to work with a doctor to adjust medications controlling the output of the thyroid gland, but there are safe ways to gain weight even before the proper medication dosage is found and thyroid levels stabilize. Be sure to discuss major changes in diet or exercise with the doctor.

Instructions

1. Choose foods that are both nutritious and have high calorie content, such as avocado and nuts, and whole grain breads. Avoid adding junk food to your diet just for the added calories, as this could lead to other health problems down the road.

2. Eat more often to gain more calories. The amount of calories you need to gain weight depends on your size, activity level, and how your thyroid hormone is affecting your body. Monitor your calorie intake over a few days and slowly increase the amount of calories until you start showing a steady weight gain.

3. Don't skip meals, because while your body is overactive it will use up any fat reserved in the body quickly.

4. Stick to your eating schedule. Plan to eat three heavy meals and two high calorie, nutritious snacks daily.

5. Use herbs to stimulate your appetite. Turmeric, rosemary, garden thyme, dandelion and chamomile are just a few easily found herbs that make a good tea.

6. Light exercise can increase your appetite, but don't overdo it to the point that you lose the added calories you are eating. Swimming, water aerobics, walking, or just bouncing on the trampoline can put you in the mood for a snack.

Tags: added calories, amount calories, gain weight, high calorie, thyroid hormone