Because I'm ridiculously active and have the eating habits of a nutritionist, I'm only 96 lbs at 5 ft. 6 in. I'm 14 years old and would be underweight for a 12 year old. What should I do? I know I need to eat more, but there's more to it than that. I'm sick of looking anorexic, but grew up hearing how great it was that I'm thin. I'm just so confused.
2006-09-17 07:22:45 · 27 answers · asked by Why Not? 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Increasing starchy, sugary, and greasy foods is not a good idea. These are bad for your body. Even if you want to gain weight, your calories should come from foods that are good for you. Healthy fats include omega 3 oils like fish oils, flax, and nuts. Good sources of protein include organic meats, fish, and organic poultry. Increase the number of meals per day to 5 or 6 small balanced meals. Protein powders and shakes can be added as meals. Some are flavored and only need added water and some others can blended with water or your choice of juices to improve the taste. It would be a plus to add a small amount of flax seed oil and some psillium powder to add some healthy fiber.
I have the same problem due to Crohn's disease and this has worked for me.
2006-09-17 07:29:20 · answer #1 · answered by pyt_tlc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although I'm a guy, I had the same problem when I was that age. When I was 14, I was 5'5" and about 100 lbs., where I should have been about 130 for my height and build. I was also a very healthy eater and very active as well.
Since you eat healthy and are very active, I would suggest you go to GNC or any health food store and get some protein powder. I started having a protein shake in the morning, and then going to the weight room after school. By the time I was a junior (16 years old), I had grown to 5'7", but got my weight up to about 125. Still very thin, but I was pretty toned as well.
For a 5'6" 14-year old female, you should put on about 15-20 lbs. Since muscle weighs more than fat, you're better off continuing to eat healthy and toning your body. And be thankful you don't have the opposite problem, as you're a lot more healthy than the girl who's 5'6" and weighs 180, since overweight people tend to have more problems with circulation and diabetes.
2006-09-17 07:56:33 · answer #2 · answered by caysdaddy04 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people have a higher metabolism than others. If your parent(s) is thin then you are most likely going to carry that attribute as well. The key to gaining weight is to eat more foods high in carbs and to eat more during the day. Your body is probably acting like a furnace and burning any food it gets before it can be stored as fat. So research what foods are harder for the body to absorb. This increases the chances of it being stored. There are chemical means to gaining weight... most notable is the Weider Weight Gain powder sold at most discount and health food stores. Mostly athletes seeking to put on more mass or weight use this stuff but it does help.
The best advice here is to get to know your body more. If you are burning up food more rapidly than most, then look at ways to counteract that. Add foods that are higher in carb/fat to your diet. I'm not saying overdo it... but eating like a nutritionist is going to continue to keep you at the weight level you are. So if you want to gain weight... eat the foods that are known to most certainly be converted to fat. You can do this without sacrificing your health. Being as active as you are... you are lucky because you can eat whatever and not have it adversely affect your health... unlike those who may eat the same things but don't exercise at all.
2006-09-17 07:34:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are at least 20 lbs underweight - but probably alot more than that. You need to gain weight - so up your carbs. Make sure you get enough protein too. If you are a healthy eater - eat more potatoes and rice and pastas and breads - those will help you put on the weight. Eat more cereals and milk too, those will help you gain. It is good to be thin but you are too thin and it is not healthy to be under weight either. You are lacking nutrients that your body needs. You're probably in danger of your body eating its own organs for protein or your hair falling out. Just be prepared to go up in clothing size when you start gaining. If money is a problem go to places like good will or salvation army for those sizes you will need as you go up to a normal size for your height. You probably should weigh close to 135 lbs for your height? Good luck, I hope you gain a healthy body image for yourself.
2006-09-17 07:32:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many young people are dissatisfied with how they think they appear to others. I think your family Doctor would be a good source of council for you on this question. He/she could make sure that you have no underlying medical condition which is might be causing this. If you are anorexic or bulimic, you should be honest about it to your Doctor and get help. All of us are made differently, unfortunately some people do not have acceptance of their personal build due to pressures of "hearing" or reading what is considered "normal". I hope you will realize that those who deride anybody for how they look are probably insecure about their appearance as well. Insecurity seems to go along with growing up, and be assured that you are not alone in your feelings about yourself. Young people grow and develop at different rates and only your Dr. can determine if there is anything abnormal about your development. Give yourself a chance! You'll be just fine. If you continue to have negative feelings about yourself, please talk about it to a responsable adult like your Dr. or possibly your school nurse or councillor. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having doubts and fears, only in how you handle those doubts and fears. See your Dr. and be honest with him/her about your feelings. In your post you said "there's more to it than that" which indicates to me that you really should talk to a professional about your feelings. I wish you all the best and don't be so hard on yourself. You have a great life ahead of you!
2006-09-17 08:06:07 · answer #5 · answered by price7204 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is okay to eat healthy but you're going to need to eat things that do have calories to help you gain weight.
Try eating more meat, breads, rice, and pastas. You don't have to stop eating healthy to gain weight, you just need to start eating more amounts. There's nothing wrong with being active but you'll have to feed yourself more portions of food because being 14 and listed "underweight for a person age of 12" is actually very dangerous and unhealthy.
2006-09-17 07:25:31 · answer #6 · answered by ♪Msz. Nena♫ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Eat alot of foods with starch in them. Pasta, Baked potatoes, Rice. These kind of foods can bulk you up yet are nutritious as well. You may even want to try drinking Protein drinks. Another thing you can do is when eating anything, add more calories to it by for instance adding cheese to pasta dishes, sour cream to baked potatoes. Fast food is also an option for a little while and in moderation in combination with eating healthier foods. Good Luck!
2006-09-17 07:39:13 · answer #7 · answered by momma g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
O.k well don't be confused. If you feel uncomfortable looking the day you do then make a change. I would say you need to pack more protein and statch. Never cut back on fruit or veg and never over do the starch. Protein (if you are active) will form muscle and that muscle will help youlook super healthy! Good luck
2006-09-17 07:25:59 · answer #8 · answered by lucy_goose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well some people can be born that way and u might have been but since ur not anorexic u don't have a problem maybe u just have a fast matabolism u can see a doctor to help u with how 2 eat more.
2006-09-17 07:26:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try eating a pizza once in a while, fun to eat and that should put a few pounds on you I know it does for me and I,m 6' and 200 lbs.
2006-09-17 07:36:49 · answer #10 · answered by Iknowthisone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋