gaining weight

[julie]

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for gaining weight. I would like to gain fifteen pounds.

julie

[Dave Barnes]

Originally posted by julie
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for gaining weight. I would like to gain fifteen pounds.

julie

Hi Julie,

No one responded probably because this is such an individual type of thing. To my surprise I've heard some women say that eating rice and other grains causes them to gain weight. Yet, with me when I eat a grain based vegetarian diet, I tend to lose weight. Factor also in the constraint of not knowing what your state of health is right now and this becomes an even harder question for people to help out with.

George Ohsawa delineated a ten regimen percentage breakdown in his writings. Some regimens are more grain based. One is even all grain but is meant to be used only for a very brief time, probably no more than 10-14 days. The key in the percentages is balance. Balance in terms of all the different food categories one can consume running the gamut from grains and vegetables to animal foods, salads/fruits and desserts.

Steve Gagne in his book about the Energetics of Foods invites us to learn more about the nature of the foods we eat in relation to our own individual needs and the reactions they may have for us.

With this in mind, and within the constraint of your physical constitution and your current physical condition, you can explore which foods tend to make you gain weight and which cause you to maintain or lose weight all within the context of eating in a way that is balanced for you personally.

Best,

Dave

[Roy Collins]

If you have been eating macrobiotics for a while and feel that you are too thin it is probably because you are eating too much grain and not enough oil and animal foods, and possibly have a problem assimilating foods due to lack of enzymes or intestinal malfunction.

You can correct most these problems by changing your food choices and cooking style slightly and also by doing more deep bending, deep-breathing exercises. Try eating boiled oat meal in the am, adding a small amount of daikon pickle condiment at each meal and eating a little more raw food like pressed salad. Add a few walnuts and raisins to the salad if you like.

Most people (as well as all wild animals) begin to crave more fat during the winter season to insulate against the cold. You can make nice stews, and hearty fish soups with large chunks of root vegetables and greens from time to time. Remember when you eat yang animal food you will need to eat a little more yin, so OK to eat a little cooked fruit or flour dessert.

Cultured soy products and soy milk also helps to add fat to the body and is easy to assimilate. Soy is a good hormone regulator for women as well. Rice pudding can be made with soy milk or ame sake which is also fattening without being high in sugars.
Do you like squash and pumpkin pie? My favorites, especially when made with a large dap of fattening tahini paste in with the filling. Not much flour is required to make these. You can eat a few times per week.

During the cold season it is advisable to sautee your veggies in a little cold-pressed seed oil. Nishime style cooking is another way to get good fat and good energy from veggies.

Are you using miso daily? Miso soup really is a good way to increase enzymatic action in the gut, helping to build red blood cells and increase absorption of food into the intestinal wall. You don't need mcuh miso -- maybe a teaspoon per day (during the cold season and less when its warm). Make sure to add sea vegeatables and onion and scallions or other greens (some good ones can still be found growing in your backyard) and sautee in a little cold pressed seed oil. Eat slowly and chew well. This relaxes your body and allows food to be more thoroughly digested.

I hope this helps.

In peace, Roy

[julie]

Thanks, Roy. I will certainly try these ideas you have presented. Can I use rice milk also?

thanks
julie