So over the last year I have lost a lot of weight. I am almost 14 years old, 5 foot 6, and weigh 105 lbs. This time last year, I weighed 120 lbs. I have become underweight just because I wasn't eating quite enough, probably about 1700 calories daily. I also have stopped my periods since September. For the past 2 or 3 months, I have consistently been eating 2000 or more calories daily, but I still can't seem to gain weight. I don't play any sports, although I have gym for 45 minutes monday through friday and I take walks sometimes. This is what I ate today (a typical day):
waffles w/ pb
apple
sandwich (turkey, swiss, spinach, butter)
granola bar
pizza w/ stewed tomatoes
peppermint patties
sandwich (fried egg, spinach, swiss)
steamed broccoli
greek yogurt
Based on my diet, I am not sure why I can't gain weight. I eat plenty of healthy fats and eat when I'm hungry, and sometimes I eat even once I'm full.
Any advice or opinions on gaining a couple of pounds? Thanks! :)
Well if you were losing weight on about 1700 calories, then you're going to need at least 2500 to gain weight, but probably more. A sedentary-lightly active teen usually burns 2000-2200 cals a day, so you're probably just eating enough to maintain at the moment.
Your diet looks pretty good, but here are some ways to increase the calories would to have a glass of milk or fruit juice with your waffles, slice your apple and dip it in peanut butter, have 2 slices of pizza, and have some nuts or granola with your greek yogurt.
It may seem like a lot of food, but for the time-being you're going to have to gorge yourself sometimes. Back when I was trying to gain weight and get my period back, I had to eat a shockingly high amount of food, even though much of what I ate was really dense! It may take some time getting used to, but it gets easier once you stick to it.
Good luck on your weight gain and getting your period back! I give you my best wishes :)
When I was a frosh in HS I would eat 5,000 + calories and weighed about 150 lbs.
You are not eating enough, that's why you are not gaining.
Try eating 3000 calories a day. Drink more calories, green juice, chocolate milk, eat avocados, fatty fish, grass fed beef.
